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KALININGRAD, Russia, June 29, 2015 - Playing in front of a
passionate Russian crowd, the United States defeated Russia 3-1
(25-23, 19-25, 25-23, 25-18) in Pool B of the FIVB World League
on Saturday.
USA won the World League in 2014, and they are trying to become
first team to win back-to-back World League trophies since
Brazil (2009, 2010).
Matthew Anderson led USA with 18 points. USA had a balanced
attack, with five players recording at least nine points. Denis
Biriukov led Russia with 18 points.
Team USA has dominated Russia recently. The United States beat
Russia in straight sets last Friday 3-0 (25-21, 25-20, 25-19) in
the first of the two Pool A encounters between both teams in
Kaliningrad this weekend.
They have now won seven of their last eight World League matches
against Russia, including four this year.
The United States leads Pool B with 23 points. Russia, who has
lost all 10 of their World League matches this season, sits in
fourth place in Pool B.
In Buenos Aires, Argentina, hosts Argentina defeated Canada 3-2
(23-25, 25-15, 21-25, 27-25, 15-6) in Pool C on Saturday.
Casey Schouten, in his first year with the senior team, was
Canada’s top contributor with 24 points, followed by Gord Perrin
with 18. Facundo Conte was top scorer for Argentina with 15
points.
Canada still leads the group with 23 points, but Argentina now
has 18 and two more games to play - against Bulgaria next
weekend. The Canadians finished their pool play with six wins
and six losses.
In Friday’s contest, Argentina won 3-1 (25-17, 18-25, 25-14,
25-21) denying Canada guaranteed progression from the Pool.
Conte had a game-high 16 points. Steven Marshall scored a
team-high 15 for Canada.
In Varna, Bulgaria, a loud crowd helped Bulgaria defeat Cuba 3-0
(25-23, 25-16, 26-24) in Pool C on Saturday. Bulgaria has now
won five of their last six World League matches against Cuba.
Vladimir Nikolov led Bulgaria
with 13 points, while Todor Skrimov added 12 points and Teodor
Todorov scored 11 points, including five from blocks. No player
from Cuba scored more than seven points.
Bulgaria piled the pressure on Argentina in second place in Pool
C on Sunday with a 3-1 (25-19, 25-19, 19-25, 25-17) victory over
Cuba who remain rooted to the bottom of the table. Nikolay
Penchev and Stanislav Petkov lead from the front for the home
side, each with a 14 point haul. |
