DAY 1: 2011 FIVB Men’s Junior World Championship - Match Recaps
The volleyball action of world’s best boys’ teams took centre stage in two Brazilian cities on Monday, August 1. A total of sixteen teams entered the competition and opened the tournament in the preliminary round. The grid of 16 teams was sliced down into
four pools. According to the set competition formula by Federation International de Volleyball (FIVB), the preliminary stage is supposed to feature two matches per team in each pool for three consecutive days. Pool A and Pool C matches were played in Rio de
Janeiro, whereas Niteroi set up the field of play for Pool B and D teams.
The 2011 FIVB Men’s Junior World Championship Prelims are scheduled to last from August 1 to 3. The opening day of the tournament featured a total of eight matches.
Pool A
Pool A is comprised of USA, Bulgaria, Japan, and hosts Brazil. In the first match of Pool A, U.S. team crossed ways with the Bulgarian team. The American team exhibited a stellar performance and claimed victory over opponents in 1:13 hours. They posted 3-0
(25-22, 25-18, and 25-21) on board to claim better status. The Head Coach John Hawks IV was satisfied with his team’s performance in the first match. U.S. Team bagged three points for finishing the match in three sets.
The second match in Pool A brought Japanese team in front of hosts. Team Brazil had high hopes to claim an easy win over visitors but final outcome of the match was quite shocking. Japan was held responsible for an upset in the match. They put up a valiant
effort and defeated Brazil in five-set tiring match. Japan was awarded 2 points for winning the match, while Brazil could only get one point.
At the end of the day 1, U.S. team settled for top slot in the pool ranking, while Japan followed them up in second slot. Brazil and Bulgaria had to be content with 3rd and 4th position on the chart.
Pool B
Argentina came strong on Puerto Rico in the first match of Pool B. Team in ‘sky blue and white’ outfits’ secured first win of the championship at loss of just one set. Puerto Rico was clever to open the match with convincing performance and secured first
set. However Argentinean showed them the real form in rest of the three set. They won three consecutive set and declared match victory over Puerto Rico 3-1 (23-25, 25-17, 25-19, and 25-17). Winning squad was given three points.
Spanish team ousted Tunisia in the second fixture of Pool B. Tunisia totally collapsed in the hands of Spaniards and remained unsuccessful in the opening set. Spain sent 3-0 (25-14, 25-18, and 25-17) on board and clinched 3 points. Spain and Argentina share
the lead in Pool B after winning their matches, while Puerto Rico and Tunisia finished the day in last two positions, respectively.
Pool C
Russia and India both found success in their respective matches of Pool C. Russia defeated Egypt, while India launched authority over the Germans.
Pool D
Iran and Serbia collected 3 points apiece as both of them overpowered theie competitors in straight sets. Iran was challenged by the Canadian team, which couldn’t stand in the way of blistering spikes and deadly aces of the Iranian players. Likewise, the
Serbs proved to be the better team in the match against Belgium.
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