Kazan, Russia, June 2, 2017 - Maxim Zhigalov's powerful serve left no chance to Argentina, as Russia won 3-0 (25-17, 25-18, 25-19) on the first World League match this season.
Zhigalov scored 18 points for Russia, including impressive six aces. On Argentina's side Gonzalo Quiroga scored 12 points in his World League debut.
Tip-over spikes of Maxim Zhigalov from the left wing and booming spikes of Ilia Vlasov afforded Russia to make an early lead 8-4 in the beginning of the match. Argentina was not able to stand in the storm of Russian attacks and great service of Maxim Zhigalov 16-10 for the first technical timeout. Team of Argentina tried to turned the situation by hits of Gonzalo Quiroga. A couple of Argentinian attacks went out of bounds, several spikes was killed by tall Russian block and set ended 25-17.
Russia had a good all-round game and outrun 8-2 before the first technical timeout. Argentina could not cope with the pressure of Russian spikers: Egor Kliuka had Denis Biriukov drilled balls in the court 16-11. Sooner Argentinian team showed slight of improvement due to spikes of Pablo Crer and Gonzalo Quiroga 16-23. But Russian devastating spikes and good game in defense allowed them to win the set 25-18.
Third set started like the first one 8-4 for Russia to the first technical timeout and constant dominance of Russia influenced Argentinian team16-12. Tall Russian block of Egor Kliuka and Ilia Vlasov remained a threat for Argentinian spikers but sometimes Gonzalo Quiroga and Nicolas Bruno was successful in attacks from the wings.
Matches on Saturday
