Pablo Crer (14) of Argentina contributed 8 points in the victory against Venezuela
Wroclaw, Poland, August 31, 2014 – Following a close first set, Argentina cruised past Venezuela in straight sets (25-23, 25-17, 25-19) in a match of Pool A of the FIVB Men’s World Championship at Centennial Hall in Wroclaw.
Argentina held a 7-2 margin in blocks with Pablo Crer contributing three blocks. The winners outserved their opponents 4-1.
Conte led Argentina with 15 points while Jose Luis Gonzalez added 11. Venezuela’s Kevin Pinerua finished with a match-high 17 points in the loss.
Key points
• Argentina now show a 42-39 win-loss record in World Championship matches
• Argentina have won their last three matches at the World Championship
• Venezuela have lost their last four WCH matches against teams from the Americas
The all-South American clash was level at the start, as neither Argentina nor Venezuela could take a clear lead. Following an effective spike, Argentina took a two-point lead (8-6) at the first technical time out. That forced Venezuela coach Vincenzo Nacci to make a first change to his team and Martinez Montoya entered the court. It clearly energised his team, as they came back to lead (12-11). Captain Kervin Pineura was the standout player for Venezuela as he was successively blocking and spiking, but two strong spikes and an ace by Facundo Conte forced Argentina’s win (25-23).
In the second set, Argentina immediately took a three-point lead (3-0). Venezuela pulled themselves back into the set partly due to good attack and serving aces by Jesus Danian Chourio Pirela. Still, Argentina stayed ahead with Conte on top form and kills from Sebastian Sole and Jose Luis Gonzales. Their triple block was hurting Venezuela as they trailed by seven points (19-12). Julio Velasco’s team were carefully using their opponents’ errors and they managed to win 25-17 due to Maximo Antonio Montoya Martinez’s poor serving.
Following the break between sets, Venezuela came back onto the court as a different team. They were competing with Argentina just as the did in the opening set. However, Velasco’s team did not let them get near their points tally. With Argentina leading 10-7, Rodrigo Quiroga entered the court and very quickly, Argentina had extended their lead to 21-15. Pinerua and his team struggled to contain Argentina, who were starting to hit top form. They won the last set 25-19 following a great spike from Gonzalez.