WL2017/Belgium Beat Argentina in a Tie-breaker

Tehran, Iran, June 10, 2017 – Argentina suffered their second straight defeat, in Group 1 of the FIVB World League, going down 3-1 (23-25, 25-20, 25-23, 24-26, 15-6) to Argentina, who were supported by a partisan Iran crowd.
This is the second time Argentina and Belgium have faced each other after 2015 world league that South American team beat Belgium 3-2.

The match opened with Argentina taking the lead 8-7. Coach vital Heynen called his players out as he was down 13-17 right after the second TTO, but Argentinean were not intending to give up in spite of deconcentrating at some moments of the match. The guys of Velasco managed to take the lead to finally close the set 25-23. Heynen asked for video challenge as the winning point has just been recorded. He was wrong and this was Argentina who were determined to start the second set with heads high.

The European side came into the court with winning approach taking the lead 8-7 in the first TTO. Two teams went neck to neck up to the middle of the set that finally Argentina rallied down 16-13 for the second TTO. Velasco changed the plan and soon made it tie 18-18 by the quick spikes of Santiago Darraidou. Belgium widen the gap 21-19 having the desire to make the losing set up and took the win 25-20 in the second set.

The third set was a copy of the second, with Belgium showing improvement in attack and reception, while capitalizing on consecutive errors by Argentina. Velasco called a time out as his team trailed 18-14 and his three substitutions decreased the gap 20-21. Two more substitutions by Heynen turn the tide as Belgium decisively took the set 25-23.

The fourth set was a hard-fought match in which both teams proved a high-quality volleyball and the point went up to 23-23. Argentina showed supremacy at the final critical points and earned the victory 26-24 carrying the support of home fans.

Argentina rallied down 8-4. Velasco called his players out twice but the Belgians fought in full measure driving an early win 15-6.