Boys' U19 Worlds open with thrilling five-setters

Tunis, Tunisia, August 21, 2019 - The opening day of the 2019 FIVB Boys' U19 World Championship yielded no special suprises, though on a couple of occasions matters had to be settled unexpectedly in tie-breaks - and with defending champions Iran and 2017 runners-up Russia yet to see action.

Cuba take early lead
Hosts Tunisia fell in straight sets to Cuba, 3-0 (25-22, 25-14, 25-18) who were powered Jose Gutierrez, Luis Allen and Victor Andreu all posting identical scoring of 8 points each to counter Aymen Bougerra's match high of 13 for Tunisia.

Earlier in the day Belarus had outlasted Chinese Taipei 3-2 (25-15, 22-25, 25-16, 13-25, 15-5) in the opening match of the tournament. The European side had Uladzislau Babkevich register the day's second-best scoring performance of 22 points, alongside impressive blocking and serving counts.

Italy edge Bulgaria in European derby
Italy, meanwhile, were led by Alessandro Michieletto who scored a match high 19 points as his team twice led Bulgaria, twice were equalised, but in the end managed to thunder away to a 7-0 and 10-1 lead in the tie-break before closing the game 3-2 (25-14, 21-25, 25-17, 22-25, 15-7) while setting tournament-highs in blocking (17 stuffs) and serving (10 aces).

Although it's early days yet, the result is expected to prove quite decisive in the race for the top two spots in Pool B.

In the other game of the pool, the Czech Republic routed rookies Colombia 3-0 (25-13, 25-16, 25-17) Petr Spulak registering a match high 12 points.


Matous Drahonovsky of the Czech Republic on the attack in his country's sweep of Colombia on the opening day of the 2019 FIVB Boys' U19 World Championship in Tunis.

Egypt make huge opening
Egypt stunned reigning European champions of this generation Germany 3-2 (17-25, 27-25, 25-17, 13-25, 17-15). The African side had to cancel a German match point at 13-14 before bringing it home on their own second attempt when Omar 'Sherif' Deigham blocked Filip John for the final point of the highest-scoring match of the day.

Germany's Simon Torwie with 23 points and Egypt's Abdelrahman Elhossiny Jr with 22 were amongst the three players of the opening day to go above 20.

Previously, Argentina had opened their campaign with a 3-1 (25-21, 17-25, 25-14, 25-20) win after outblocking and outserving their opponents.

Nigeria, USA step forward
Nigeria followed Egypt's example in the Africa domination, shutting out Korea 3-0 (25-20, 28-26, 26-24). Nigeria blew three set points at 24-21 in the second and had to cancel one of Korea's as the Asians made a four-point run to go 24-25 up, before they regained control and Chinedu Pascal Ekechi brough in the last point.

It was practically similar in the third, when Nigeria reach match point with two to spare at 24-22, but Korea again rallied to draw level at 24-24. This time it was Oforah Izuchukwu who brought it home with a block on Joung Hanyong.

Previously in Pool D, USA outclassed the Dominican Republic 3-0 (25-18, 31-29, 25-17), but not before surviving a bit of a scare in the second set. It took the north Americans seven set balls to get it right, though the Dominicans themselves never got a shot at taking the set.

Alexander Knight led the scoring for USA - at 13 points the only player in the game to venture into double digits.

Summary Statistics - 2019 FIVB Boys' U19 World Championship

Highest Scorer by Day
23 – Simon Torwie of Germany v Egypt (2-3) on August 21

Top Scoring Performances
23 – Simon Torwie of Germany v Egypt (2-3) on August 21
22 – Uladzislau Babkevich of Belarus v Chinese Taipei (3-2) on August 21
20 – Abdelrahman Elhossiny Jr of Egypt v Germany (3-2) on August 21

Top Individual Blocking Performances
6 – Dzmitry Dyleuski of Belarus v Chinese Taipei (3-2) on August 21
6 – Nicola Cianciotta of Italy v Bulgaria (3-2) on August 21
5 – Petr Spulak of Czech Republic v Colombia (3-0) on August 21

Top Individual Serving Performances
6 – Aliaksandr Piatrevich of Belarus v Chinese Taipei (3-2) on August 21
6 – Alessandro Michieletto of Italy v Bulgaria (3-2) on August 21

Top Team Blocking Performances
17 – Italy v Bulgaria (3-2) on August 21
15 – Belarus v Chinese Taipei (3-2) on August 21
13 – Germany v Egypt (2-3) on August 21
11 – Argentina v Mexico (3-1) on August 21

Top Team Serving Performances
10 – Italy v Bulgaria (3-2) on August 21
9 – Belarus v Chinese Taipei (3-2) on August 21
9 – Czech Republic v Colombia (3-0) on August 21

Highest Scoring Sets
31-29 – United States v Dominican Republic (2nd Set) on August 21
28-26 – Nigeria v Korea (2nd set) on August 21
27-25 – Egypt v Germany (2nd set) on August 21

Highest Scoring Matches
206 – Egypt v Germany 3-2 (17-25, 27-25, 25-17, 13-25, 17-15) on August 21
196 – Italy v Bulgaria 3-2 (25-14, 21-25, 25-17, 22-25, 15-7) on August 21
Quick links - Volleyball:
FIVB.com - Volleyball Boys' U19 World Championship - Tunisia 2019
FIVB.com - Volleyball
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram