Volleyball
Italy claim first U19 World Championship gold in 22 years
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Article Fri, Aug 30 2019
Tunis, Tunisia, August 30, 2019. Italy’s triumph in the final over Russia was the highlight of a fortnight that celebrated the world’s new generation of Volleyball players as the 2019 FIVB Boys’ U19 World Championship wrapped up Friday night in the Tunisian capital. It had been 22 years since Italy last made the top of the podium at a youth World Championship.
The tournament's Dream Team, headed by Italy's Tommaso Rinaldi, is full of names to watch out for as this group of very talented young players develops over the coming years to form the sport’s next galaxy of stars.
Incredible Italy proved just too powerful for Russia in the thrilling final for a 3-1 victory (26-24, 21-25, 25-19, 25-18) in a game between the two most physical teams in the tournament.
Earlier the day on Friday in Tunis, Argentina had outplayed Egypt 3-1 (25-19, 25-19, 23-25, 25-17) to grab the bronze medal, powered by their top scorer Wilson Acosta and their star middle blocker Agustin Gallardo who made the tournament’s Dream Team.
Beyond the medal matches, defending champions Iran recovered from the disappointment of losing to Russia in the quarterfinals and did the next best thing - clinching 5th place with a 3-1 (28-26, 23-25, 25-16, 25-23) win over the previous edition’s bronze medallists Japan.
Bulgaria also rebounded from their previous day’s loss, shutting out Belarus 3-1 (25-21, 25-19, 20-25, 25-17) for 7th place, Todor Dimitrov leading the Balkan side with 20 points.
Brazil, meanwhile, the six-time world champions left Tunis still in search of a podium finish for the first time since 2005. Their 3-0 (25-13, 25-21, 25-19) win over the Czech Republic for 9th place goes in line with their 8th place last time around in 2017.
Korea, who beat Cuba 3-1 (25-21, 18-25, 26-24, 25-23) for 11th place, were also off their 2017 mark, when they had made the top four only to lose to Japan for the bronze.
Germany, who were making only their third appearance in a Boys’ U19 World Championship, finished 13th after beating debutants Nigeria 3-0 (26-24, 25-22, 25-15).
USA just managed to avoid the last spot amongst the top 16 teams by downing Chinese Taipei 3-0 (25-20, 25-21, 25-15).
Final standing
1. Italy
2. Russia
3. Argentina
4. Egypt
5. Iran
6. Japan
7. Bulgaria
8. Belarus
9. Brazil
10. Czech Republic
11. Cuba
12. Korea
13. Germany
14. Nigeria
15. United States
16. Chinese Taipei
17. Tunisia
18. Mexico
19. Dominican Republic
20. Colombia
Click here for further information.
The tournament's Dream Team, headed by Italy's Tommaso Rinaldi, is full of names to watch out for as this group of very talented young players develops over the coming years to form the sport’s next galaxy of stars.
Incredible Italy proved just too powerful for Russia in the thrilling final for a 3-1 victory (26-24, 21-25, 25-19, 25-18) in a game between the two most physical teams in the tournament.
Earlier the day on Friday in Tunis, Argentina had outplayed Egypt 3-1 (25-19, 25-19, 23-25, 25-17) to grab the bronze medal, powered by their top scorer Wilson Acosta and their star middle blocker Agustin Gallardo who made the tournament’s Dream Team.
Beyond the medal matches, defending champions Iran recovered from the disappointment of losing to Russia in the quarterfinals and did the next best thing - clinching 5th place with a 3-1 (28-26, 23-25, 25-16, 25-23) win over the previous edition’s bronze medallists Japan.
Bulgaria also rebounded from their previous day’s loss, shutting out Belarus 3-1 (25-21, 25-19, 20-25, 25-17) for 7th place, Todor Dimitrov leading the Balkan side with 20 points.
Brazil, meanwhile, the six-time world champions left Tunis still in search of a podium finish for the first time since 2005. Their 3-0 (25-13, 25-21, 25-19) win over the Czech Republic for 9th place goes in line with their 8th place last time around in 2017.
Korea, who beat Cuba 3-1 (25-21, 18-25, 26-24, 25-23) for 11th place, were also off their 2017 mark, when they had made the top four only to lose to Japan for the bronze.
Germany, who were making only their third appearance in a Boys’ U19 World Championship, finished 13th after beating debutants Nigeria 3-0 (26-24, 25-22, 25-15).
USA just managed to avoid the last spot amongst the top 16 teams by downing Chinese Taipei 3-0 (25-20, 25-21, 25-15).
Final standing
1. Italy
2. Russia
3. Argentina
4. Egypt
5. Iran
6. Japan
7. Bulgaria
8. Belarus
9. Brazil
10. Czech Republic
11. Cuba
12. Korea
13. Germany
14. Nigeria
15. United States
16. Chinese Taipei
17. Tunisia
18. Mexico
19. Dominican Republic
20. Colombia
Click here for further information.