Poland earns sweep of Argentina in the third Olympic match – Volleyball News
Poland put three players in double digits as the team of Head Coach Andrea Anastasi claimed 3-0 (25-18, 25-20, 25-16) win over Argentina at the Earls Court on Thursday.
The trio of Zbigniew Bartman, Bartosz Kurek, and Michal Winiarski did an amazing job, and led Poland to victory. They added 17, 16, and 12 points, respectively. Bartman and Kurek were also credited for double-digits spikes (15) in the match. Argentina was
supported by Federico Pereyra and Rodrigo Quiroga, who contributed 11 and 10 tallies, in the loss.
Argentinean players came out firing in the first set and started a heavy strike of volleys. The duo of Conte and Pereyra worked out nice spikes and created enough trouble for Polish defence. However, the Poles hit back and responded the rivals in the same
tone. Scoring machine Kurek hit the ball in rare gaps and helped his team with consecutive points. The team clad in ‘sky blue and white’ outfits put up a good fight, but failed to achieve desired results. Poland captured first frame of the match with seven
points and went on front (1-0).
Poland used the competitive advantage in the following set and tried to keep the pressure on the opposite side. Meanwhile, Argentina tried to come out of the blues, but faced utmost resistance. Eventually, the second set also slipped from their hands and
Team Argentina shifted to 0-2 in the match.
In the third set, it became fairly easy for Poland to edge out Argentina at the final score of 25-16. Poland won the match and celebrated victory.
The captains of both teams attended the post-match press conference and shared their views about the match.
Polish skipper Marcin Mozdzonek congratulated his teammates for splendid victory and also appreciated their efforts. He regarded it as one of the best performances by his team at the 2012 London Olympics.
Rodrigo Quiroga, the Captain of Argentina had his say in the following manner: “We knew tonight it would be difficult. There was too much pressure from the service, the blocks. Poland played perfect volleyball. They didn't allow us to play our normal game.
When they serve 100%, have tall players, good blockers and a very good defence, it is really hard.”
“We have to forget and think about Bulgaria (their next match) now, the most important game for us in the pool. The Olympics are like this. We don't feel good, we must win,” he concluded.
Poland currently stands with 2-1 record in Pool A and has a tough competition with Italy for the quarterfinal spot. Poles will go against the hosts in the next match and have brighter prospects to claim victory. Argentina, on the other hand, will have a
daunting task to face group-leader Bulgaria in the next encounter.
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