Inside Volley Board

14 - 26 August 2010
Singapore

Qualified Teams
Serbia (2009 FIVB Boys’ Youth world champions)
Russia (European Championship 2009 bronze medallists)
Argentina (South American champions 2009)
Cuba (NORCECA champions)
DR Congo (Africa champions)
Iran (Asia champions)

The draw was completed as per the following:
Pool A
Seeded: Serbia
1st Draw: DR Congo
2nd Draw: Russia
Pool B
Seeded: Argentina
1st Draw: Iran
2nd Draw: Cuba

The competition starts on August 21, with each team in each pool will play each other once before the top two sides in each pool advance to the semifinals, which will be held on August 24, before the 5th-6th and 3rd-4th playoffs and the gold medal final take place on August 25 and August 26 respectively.

Pool A
21-Aug Serbia - Congo 3-1 (25-15 25-18 22-25 25-21)
22-Aug Serbia - Russia 0-3 (17-25 20-25 12-25)
23-Aug Congo - Russia 0-3 (22-25 15-25 13-25)

1. Russia 4
2. Serbia 3
3. Congo 2

Pool B
21-Aug Argentina - Iran 3-0 (25-12 25-9 29-27)
22-Aug Argentina - Cuba 0-3 (22-25 23-25 23-25)
23-Aug Iran - Cuba 18:00

Description/Press Conference/Match Statistics

Cuba claim YOG gold with win over Argentina
The Youth Olympic Games gold medal match between Cuba and Argentina was an electrified show from both sets of the teams with spectacularly savings and thundering attacks which saw Cuba score a 3-1 (25-23, 25-21, 17-25, 25-20) win in front of a packed arena at Toa Payoh Sports hall on Thursday.

The settings and the attacks were impressive and organized from both teams and the score was consistently close. Wilfredo Leon scored an incredible 35 points for Cuba and this was matched by Gonzalo Quiroga for Argentina. Fine technique, pure talent and young age, these are the ingredients of the extraordinary play from these two teams on the last day of the Youth Olympic Games.

The second set showed the skills from the whole team, not only the powerful attacks but in defense, too. Blocks made by Argentina to stop the left-handed outside hitter Carlos Araujo and Leon increased the skills on show once more, but the strength of Cuba let them win it, at last.

The third set explained the balance between the teams, in fact Argentina won thanks to their good serves and the block again. The decision of coach Sanchez to substitute Leon and the setter Alexis Lamadrid had, as a result, a bigger conviction of Argentina, who increased their play more and more.

In the fourth set there was a minimum gap characterized by a lot of mistakes. But Cuba knew how to remain focused on the match and the double touch of the setter Leonardo Plaza at 20-24 gave the victory to Cuba.

Final match - statistics

Final standing
1 Cuba
2 Argentina
3 Russia
4 Serbia
5 Iran
6 D.R. Congo