The third day of the Junior World Championships has passed. Five teams, Russia, Canada, Serbia, Iran and Turkey has not failed so far. The pride of the tournament is a competition in Pool D, where France is leading, however, Russia is following thick on their heels having got one remaining game and Victor Poletaev in the starting line-up. The opposite will be outstanding in the future.
Pool A
Day 2
Egypt – China 3 – 2 (25-22, 18-25, 18-25, 25-21, 18-16)
Top Scorers: Mohamed Masoud 23, Islam Abdelkader 16, Moustafa Abdelrahman 13; Tingwei Yan 26, Zhenghu Liang 14, Zhen Qin 10
Mohamed Masoud became the hero of the first set. His prolific spiking and blocking gave Egypt the edge to claim it by 25-22. China stroke back in the second set. The Asian team established their total domination on the court. In the end the Africans fought back to score several points, but only upped their tally to 18 in this set.
The equilibrium in set three was maintained through 11-11. After that China broke away and never looked back to win it by 25-18. The score in the following set was kept level through the 19th point. In the conclusive moments the team around coach Gaber Abouzeid rose to the occasion and made a terrific run to finish it off at 25-21.
As if this was not enough, the tie-breaker turned out to be even more thrilling. After 4-4 Egypt took control, but China recovered at 11-11 and even reached a match point first. The African team kept their cool to eventually triumph victorious at 18-16.
Morocco – Turkey 0 – 3 (24-26, 21-25, 22-25)
Top Scorers: Zouhari El Graoui 13, Saad Elbekri 11, Brahim Ameur 6; Burak Gungor 14, Metin Toy 11, Gokhan Gokgoz 11
The home guys were in for a big surprise in the first set as the Moroccans rushed off to a solid lead with captain Zouhair El Graoui contributing both in offence and blocking. However, led by own captain Burak Gungor, the Turks strengthened their block to come from behind and even get to two consecutive set points at 24-22. They could not take advantage of them as Morocco equalised the score again. However the following two rallies went Turkey’s way and the crowd on the stands happily cheered the final 26-24 in this set.
Morocco tried hard to put up a fight in the second set, but managed to stay competitive only through the first technical time-out. After that Turkey managed to break away and close the set at 25-21. The home side had the initiative throughout the third set, but it was a tightly contested affair. Morocco fought on to stay close behind, but their good blocking efforts were not enough to stop the incessant Turkish attacks. A beautiful and very powerful spike by Gokhan Gokgoz put an end to this interesting match at 25-22.
Day 3
India – Morocco 3 – 1 (23-25, 25-18, 26-24, 25-11)
Top Scorers: Anup D’Costa 22, Kamur Amandeep 11, Lavemeet Katariya 9; Zouhari El Graoui 19, Saad Elbekri 11, Mehdi Waldi 10
Morocco took advantage of the many unforced errors that India committed in the first set to take the edge. Despite piling up a solid advantage, the Moroccans had a hard time scoring the last two points of the set. Eventually Saad Elbekri’s successful spike put an end to India’s late efforts to come back from behind and closed the set at 25-23.
In the second set, the African team stepped up their blocking efforts, but at the same time took their turn to commit numerous mistakes. India put more precision into their game and ran off to win by 25-18.
Initially Morocco took control of the third set, but continued to commit abundant errors to help India come from behind and get to a 24-20 lead. The Africans found the strength to save all four set points to tie the score, but in the end another unforced mistake gave the set away to the Asian team – 26-24. Set four was completely one-sided. India totally dominated on the court and helped themselves with three aces to rush forward and wrap it up at 25-11.
Turkey – Egypt 3 – 0 (26-24, 25-23, 25-13)
Top Scorers: Metin Toy 11, Burak Gungor 10, Ugur Gunes 8; Mustafa Abdelrahman 8, Mohamed Masoud 7, Ahmed Shafik 6
Turkey survived a very tough first set, in which Egypt was in the lead most of the time. The African team even had a four-point advantage at 22-18, but the home heroes persevered to pull it through to the final 26-24. The second set was a similar story. Egypt’s setter Mahmoud Elnagar found new ways to surprise the Turkish blockers and his team’s attacking efforts paid off with another solid lead. Eventually the home guys found the way to stop the Egyptian offence and also taking advantage of the opponents’ mistakes once again turned things around to win by a two-point difference – 25-23. Set three was no contest as the North African side seemed to have lost the faith that they could be successful in this game. Turkey established
total control of the scoreboard and won the set by an impressive 25-13 with substitute player Yasin Aydin spiking beautifully for the last point.
Standings:
| Rank | Team | Win/Loss | Points |
| 1. | Turkey | 3/0 | 9 |
| 2. | China | 1/1 | 4 |
| 3. | India | 1/1 | 3 |
| 4. | Egypt | 1/1 | 2 |
| 5. | Morocco | 0/3 | 0 |
Pool B
Day 2
Estonia – Japan 3 – 2 (27-29, 25-23, 19-25, 26-24, 15-8)
Top Scorers: Renee Tappan 17, Robert Tath 15, Andri Aganits 13; Tayuka Takahashi 14, Yuki Ishikava 12, Nayoka Takano 12
The first set was extremely interesting. It produced a tough battle on the court and several switches in the lead. Some good blocking helped Estonia stay alive through well after the 25th point, but in the end it was Japan’s block that closed the set at 29-27.
The European team stepped up their attacking efforts and took control of the second set, but committed way too many unforced errors to allow the opponents to stay close behind in the score. Andri Aganits’s successful fast attack through the middle shaped up the final 25-23 Estonia’s way.
In the third set it was Kentaro Takahashi’s turn to show off his blocking skills and help Japan establish their complete domination on the court. The Estonians continued to commit many mistakes and could not stay competitive in this set. The Asian team piled up a solid advantage to win it by 25-19.
Noriaki Sako’s squad rushed to a 4-0 beginning of the fourth set, but the Estonians gradually tied at 12-12, followed by an incredible kick save by libero Hardi Talv to give his team the lead. With Renee Teppan behind the serving line and enthusiastic support from their fans on the stands, the team of coach Urmas Tali continued their run through 17-12. The Japanese had no intention to surrender the set and at 18-18 the score was level again. The rest of the set was a continuous battle in every rally. After 24-21 Estonia failed to take advantage of three consecutive set points, but eventually finished it all off at 26-24 to prompt a tie-breaker.
Urmas Tali’s players managed to stay more focused in the fifth set. They outplayed their opponents in offence and blocking and made fewer mistakes to break away and find closure at 15-8.
Argentina – Iran 0 – 3 (19-25, 20-25, 18-25)
Top Scorers: Pablo Koukartsev 10, Gonzalo Quiroga 8, Nicolas Lazo 6; Milad Ebadipour Ghara 9, Javad Hosseinabadi 9, Amirali Mohammadfathai 7
In the first set the Iranian team were very successful in offence, but the Argentineans facilitated them for the eventual 25-19 with excessive unforced errors. Led by Pablo Koukartsev’s spiking efforts, the South Americans also put some pressure on the opponents with their attacks in the second set, but this gave a chance to the Iranian block to shine. Fabian Muraco’s players continued to lack precision in their game and eventually lost by 20-25. It was a similar story in the third set and Iran continued to dominate to secure a 25-18 victory in this final part and 3-0 in the match.
Day 3
Japan – Argentina 0 – 3 (26-28, 20-25, 26-28)
Top Scorers: Yuki Ishikawa 13, Naoya Takano 12, Takuya Takahashi 11; Pablo Koukartsev 18, Gonzalo Lapera 11, Gonzalo Quiroga 10
In a very tight first set the gap never exceeded two points. Japan were the first to arrive at set point, but the battle continued. Eventually a Japanese spike went too long to settle the score at 28-26 Argentina’s way. In the second set the equilibrium was maintained through the 18th point. In the conclusive moments of the set Argentina displayed some fantastic blocking to break away to a 25-20 finish. Set three was very similar to the first one. It was a fierce battle for every point featuring long rallies and beautiful performances, especially in blocking and spiking. Japan did not take advantage of the first set point at 24-23 and in the end Argentina’s Gonzalo Lapera provided for an exciting finish of the game with a brilliant ace shaping up the 28-26 win.
Mexico – Estonia 3 – 1 (25-22, 25-19, 17-25, 29-27)
Top Scorers: Ivan Molano 16, Roberto Ricon 14, Jose Martinez 11; Renee Tappan 18, Denis Losnikov 10, Andri Agantis 8
Mexico’s attacks were more productive than those of Estonia and the North American team took control of the first set. The Europeans managed to catch up momentarily after the second technical time-out, but the Mexicans broke away again to finish it off at 25-22.
Estonia took charge in the beginning of the second set, but could not hold on to their advantage. Mexico’s Jose Martinez did a superb job in both serving (3 aces) and blocking to help his team turn things around. Jorge Lopez’s team prevailed for the final 25-19 with a powerful spike by Roberto Rincon for the last point.
Set three belonged to Estonia. Some great spiking from Renee Teppan and substitute player Denis Losnikov gave their team the edge in this set. Urmas Tali’s team won the set by a convincing 25-17 to stay alive in the match.
The fourth set was by far the most interesting one. Estonia took the leading role through most of the set and at 24-22 everything seemed set for a tie-breaker.
However, the Mexicans won the next three rallies to prompt a rollercoaster ending of the set and they were the ones that got off the ride victorious after 29-27.
Standings:
| Rank | Team | Win/Loss | Points |
| 1. | Iran | 2/0 | 6 |
| 2. | Japan | 1/2 | 4 |
| 3. | Argentina | 1/1 | 3 |
| 4. | Mexico | 1/1 | 3 |
| 5. | Estonia | 1/2 | 2 |
Pool C
Day 2
Rwanda – Tunisia 0 – 3 (12-25, 15-25, 18-25)
Top Scorers: Aimable Mutuyimana 13, Fred Musoni 6, Samuel Niyogisubizo 5; Elyes Garfi 15, Adam Ouselati 15, Malek Chekir 13
Tunisia started the match more organized in both backline defence and attacks and although the early injury of their captain Ousama Mrika, they could control the action through their setter Khaled Ben Slimene who used his combinations to deceive the opponent block and succeeded through the spikes of the outside hitter Malek Chekir and the opposite spiker Adam Oueslati to win the first set easily 25-12.
The second set showed Tunisia using their powerful services to put a pressure upon the Rwandan team. Rwanda improved a little bit in defence but they had problems to develop the attacks. Tunisia again used the centers Garfi and Mohamed Brahem to stop the Rwandan attacks in their way to win the set 25-15.
Chekir started the third set in service to record 6-0 lead which depressed the Rwandan for sometime till they returned back to save the match where they fought in defence and used the spikes of their captain Aimable Mutuyimana to decrease the point deficit, but again Tunisia finished the job and won the third set 25-18 and the match 3-0.
Serbia – USA 3 – 0 (25-23, 25-23, 25-17)
Top Scorers: Uros Kovacevic 17, Drazen Luburic 13, Mihajlo Stoikovic 12; Benjamin Patch 16, Diriss Guessous 8, Aaron Russell 6
Sebia team proved their consistency from the start of the match with their setter Aleksa Brdjovic doing the role of the maestro, conducting the attacks using the outside hitter Kovacevic and the opposite Drazen Luburic who also disturbed all USA blocking trials. Serbia won both sets in the same score 25-23.
Although the first and second sets were tight with USA team controlling their block beside the scoring ability for the team stars Benjamin Patch and Driss Guessous, Serbia controlled the match in the third set making also a lot of pressure through the spike service to win third set widely 25-17 and their first match 3-0
Day 3
Tunisia – Serbia 0 – 3 (17-25, 25-27, 24-26)
Top Scorers: Elyes Garif 15, Malek Chekir 9, Adam Ouselati 7; Mihajlo Stoikovic 17, Milan Katic 13, Aleksandar Okolic 8
Although Serbian coach gave rest to some players like the captain senior team promising star Uros Kovacevic, Serbia controlled the net action in the first set and widely led throughout the set through the efficient spikes of outside hitter Milan Katic and opposite Drazen Luburic to win the set comfortably 25-17.
Tunisia came back aggressively at the beginning of the second set as they led steadily through their proper reception and backline defence. Their outside hitter Malek Chekir played a great role with spikes from all positions beside Elyes Garfi. They lost two set points before Serbia succeeded to come back and succeeded to win the set following two spikes from Mihajlo Stankovic 27-25.
Tunisia made it a tight start also in the third set with Elyes Garfi playing a great role with his powerfull attacks, but like the second set Serbia came on time through winning the crucial match points to win narrowly 26-24.
Canada – Rwanda 3 – 0 (25-17, 27-25, 25-22)
Top Scorers: Stephen Maar 13, Jayson Mccarty 9, Alexander Russell 8; Aimable Mutuyimana 18, Fred Musoni 6, Samuel Niyogisubizo 5
Canada dominated the first set through their better blocking activity against the Rwandan attacks and using the powerful hits sent from Jayson Mccarthy and Stephen Maar to win 25-17.
Second set featured a lot of improvement in the Rwandan performance with their attacking weapon Aimable Mutuyimana practicing is well known sharp hits from position 4 and from the backline to lead regularly throughout the set till they led 24-21 losing 4 set points before Canada came back from behind to win 27-25.
Again Rwanda had the lead in the third set and was resistant to continue ahead till the draw 22-22, when again the players committed several mistakes to lose the crucial points as Canada won 3-0.
Standings:
| Rank | Team | Win/Loss | Points |
| 1. | Serbia | 2/0 | 6 |
| 2. | Canada | 2/0 | 6 |
| 3. | USA | 1/1 | 3 |
| 4. | Tunisia | 1/2 | 3 |
| 5. | Rwanda | 0/3 | 0 |
Pool D
Day 2
Italy – France 0 – 3 (19-25, 16-25, 23-25)
Top Scorers: Luigi Randazzo 13, Ferdinando Delle Volpe 9, Enrico Diamanti 6; Julien Winkelmuller 15, Thibault Rossard 11, Trevor Clevenot 10
The solid French blockers beside the high motivations were the key factor of this victory as the winners led 10-6 on stuff blocks beside the great action of their defence.
The proper blocking was the key factor for France to lead at the beginning of the match as they deployed their blocker Gael Tranchot and Moudine Mhoma against the Italian attacks and succeeded to go through to win the first set 25-19.
France team became more motivated as the opposite Julien Winkelmuller sent his sharp hits from position 2 beside the quick attacks through the center of the net through Tranchot to win the second set more comfortably 25-16.
Italy came back in the third set when their setter Pierpaolo Partenio starting to arrange the combinations specially to use the opposite spiker Luigi Randazzo, so they led frequently till the second technical timeout, when France came back through their blocker to decrease the point deficit gradually till they won the set 25-23 to clinch a straight sets victory.
Russia – Brazil 3 – 2 (25-17, 23-25, 25-20, 21-25, 16-14)
Top Scorers: Victor Poletaev 28, Ilyas Kurkaev 17, Ivan Demakov 12; Alan Souza 21, Leandro Santos 15, Henrique Batagim 13
Russian blockers played the crucial role in the victory specially in the first and third set having a dominance of 15 stuff blocks throughout the match. Russia also scored 12 aces making over the best serving performance against 7 for the Brazilian side.
Russia started the match in a better disciplined line up as they deployed their impermeable block against Brazil attacks through the middle blockers Ivan Demakov and Ilyas Kurkaev to stop their weapons and succeeded to win the set easily 25-17.
Brazil regained their performance late in the second set after Russia had the lead frequently through their setter Thiago Veloso who conducted the combinations that surprised the Russians. Brazil’s middle blacker Leandro Santos had a role in the quick attacks from position 3 beside the attacking power of the opposite Alan Souza as they succeeded to win the second set 25-23 to tie the score 1-1.
Again Russia’s big Gun Victor Poletaev started to explore the ways to Brazil’s court through his sharp spikes from position 2 and allowed Russia to regain the lead 2-1 after they won the set 25-20.
Brazil widely led 8-2 at the beginning of the using some disturbance in the Russian backline defence. However Russia returned back to decrease the point deficit before the motivated Brazil stars won the set 25-21 to extend the match to the first tiebreaker in Izmir.
Brazil again had the early lead in the tiebreak using the great spirit they gained till they reaches 8-6 at the court turn. Russia returned back through their well known service where they won three successive points after Brazil’s reception mistakes to win the hard fought 16-14.
Day 3
France – Russia 0 – 3 (17-25, 22-25, 18-25)
Top Scorers: Trevor Clevenot 15, Julien Winkelmuller 8, Thibault Rossard 7; Victor Poletaev 16, Ivan Demakov 12, Egor Feoktistkov 7
Russia played a relaxed and trustable game after they succeeded to defeat Brazil in their thrilling match yesterday and keep the strategy of using the middle blockers Ivan Demakov and Ilyas Kurkaev in their defensive action beside their role in the quick attack.
After Russia won the first set, France tried to come back in the second set through improving their block and defence against the heavy Russian attacks, but again Russia changed the strategy using the wing spikers specially the opposite Victor Poletaev in position 2. Russia went easily to win the third set with the least effort they can after most of the French players lost their motivations.
Russia’s Poletaev was the match best scorer with 16 points including 3 killing blocks and 2 ace services. He was followed by the middle blocker Ivan Demakov who scored 12. France captain Trevor Clevenot was his side best scorer with 15 points including 2 stuff blocks.
Venezuela – Italy 0 – 3 (16-25, 15-25, 25-27)
Top Scorers: Jose Martinez 13, Jonatan Quijada 9, Roberth Abreu 9; Luigi Randazzo 15, Enrico Diamanti 9, Edoardo Picco 8
Italy started the match aggressively seeking first win and thus they went easily to win both first and second sets with a wide point deficit 25-15, 25-16.
Less experienced Venezuela extracted all the power in the third set specially using their big weapon Roberth Abreu who succeeded to penetrate the solid Italian block and keep them near throughout the set till the draw 25-25, when Italy again used the powerful service to settle the most difficult set to their side 27-25.
Standings:
| Rank | Team | Win/Loss | Points |
| 1. | France | 2/1 | 6 |
| 2. | Russia | 2/0 | 5 |
| 3. | Brazil | 1/1 | 4 |
| 4. | Italy | 1/2 | 3 |
| 5. | Venezuela | 0/2 | 0 |
The Growing Star Profile:
Name: Victor Poletaev
Nation: Russia
Position: Opposite
Birth date: 27.07.1995
Height: 197 cm
Weight 86 kg
Spike reach: 360 cm
Block reach: 340 cm
Hand: Left
Actual Club: Zenit Kazan (Russia)
Descriptions: FIVB
