Argentina wins second Pan American Games Gold Medal in a row

LIMA, Peru, August 4, 2019.- Argentina beat Cuba 3-0 (25-20, 25-17, 25-20) on Sunday at the Multisport Complex El Callao to win their second Pan Am Games Gold medal in a row at the Lima 2019 Pan American Games.

It is the third gold medal for Argentina in Pan American Games and the second in a row (1995, 2015) sweeping an erratic Cuban team. For Cuba, this is their fifth silver medal in the history of the Games (1983, 1987, 2003, 2011). Argentina also beat Cuba at the preliminary round.

Cuba never stabilized their offense neither their blocking against Argentina’s remarkable tactics. The two-time champion recovered from an early four-point deficit (2-6) in set three when Cuba was working hard to reach their desirable overtime.

Argentina outblocked Cuba by a sizeable 11-5 advantage and held a 39-32 margin in kills, while committing 17 unforced errors. Cuba finished with a 3-1 advantage in aces and committed 17 unforced errors.

Opposite player German Johansen led Argentina with 14 points on 9 kills, 4 blocks and one ace and Jan Franchi Martinez followed with 11 points all on kills. Cuba’s top scorer was Miguel Angel Lopez with 13 points on 11 kills and 2 aces.

Comments:

Horacio Dileo, Head coach of Argentina: “First I congratulate Cuba for have reached the finals, they were a worthy opponent that demanded our fullest up to the last ball. I congratulate my players and my technical staff for their wonderful job, they have showed great union in and outside the court, also a great tactical discipline that in consequence (with humbleness) makes us the best team of the championship”.

Nicolás Bruno, captain of Argentina: “Immense joy, Argentina has won the Pan American gold three times. This group deserves it, they put their hearts into the tournament, they have dedicated a lot of time, money and sometimes headaches”

Nicolás Vives, Head coach of Cuba: “We could have played better, no question about it. We weren’t effective in attacks, one of our strengths and we couldn’t block either. We are happy with the group; we must continue working to improve in these aspects”.

Miguel Angel Lopez, top scorer of Cuba: “I believe our lack of concentration have us a hard time. We should have been focused like yesterday today against Argentina who is an excellent team; we weren’t able to do so”.