FIVB World League, Pool D. Italian national team claimed two important victories over France at the beginning of this year’s edition. Korea and Cuba shared points.
Pool D, weekend 1
France vs. Italy 0-3 (14:25, 20:25, 12:25) and 0-3 (15:25, 23:25, 25:27)
In both matches the Italians were stronger in every element of the game, starting with service, then attack, finishing with block. The first “six” of the game was still the same: Travica, Zaytsev, Birarelli, Lasko, Savani, Buti and Bari (L). The most eminent italian player of the weekend was Michal Lasko who scored in sum 27 points (13 in the 1st and 14 in the 2nd match).
Philippe Blain, France coach, said: “We knew that things would be hard with a starting against Italy with a new group and not a lot of time to prepare us. The positive is the behaviour and the state of mind increase between the two matches: the players are more conqueror. We must use the matches to work our play systems and perform step by step. We make too many mistakes for the moment, we have to erease those mistakes. Nevertheless, it is encouraging and we see what we have to work to advance again.”
Emanuele Birarelli said: “In the first match we were more concrete in the block, but also in the second one we touched many balls, allowing to defend. We have to be satisfied.”
Korea vs. Cuba 3-0 (25:20, 29:27, 25:18) and 1-3 (25:21, 23:25, 18:25, 18:25)
Korea started with a shining victory over Cuba in three straight sets. They have beaten Cuba for the first time since 1984. The players of coach Orlando Samuels Blackwood seemed tired and made too many easy errors. Top Scorer of both matches in the Korean team was Jeon Kwang-In with 20 points in the 1st and 18 in the 2nd game. After a Korean triumph of Saturday, Sunday brought a total improvement of the game on the Cuban side. Henry Bell made 21 points and became the Top Scorer.
Orlando Samuels, Cuban coach, said: “Today, we showed a better performance than yesterday. Blocking, service and attack were very good and the Cuban players made fewer unforced errors as we adapted to the time difference. The most impressive player on the Korean team was No.4 Jeon Kwang-in. He had the best attack patterns, service and jump among the Korean players. The Cuban players were troubled by his attacks and could not deal with them very well.”
Source: FIVB
