In the most exciting match of the third competition day at the FIVB Volleyball Boys’ U19 World Championship in Argentina, Belgium mounted a stunning comeback from two sets down against Brazil to celebrate their second win of the tournament. As many as 10 teams – Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, Colombia, France, Iran, Italy, Korea, Puerto Rico and United States – have now secured their spots among the 16 eighthfinalists. That number includes the four from Pool C, who were sure to advance as soon as the fifth team in the pool, Nigeria, withdrew from the competition.

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Belgium closed Friday’s programme in Pool D with a victory over Brazil to improve to a 2-0 win-loss record and five points, a point short of pool leaders Italy. The South Americans are now third in the current pool standings on 1-1 and four as all three teams are now sure to advance among the top 16 of the championship.

Brazil were well in control of the first two sets of the match, but then coach Mieke Moyaert’s boys found a way to take over in the next three and bring home the victory. While the South Americans completely outspiked their opponents with 64 kills in attack against only 47, the Europeans did better in blocking (11 stuffs against six) and in serving (five aces against four). However, it was mostly Brazil’s unforced errors that tilted the outcome Belgium’s way. The serve going long on Belgium’s match point was just one of 41 points that Brazil gave away with their mistakes, against only 28 on Belgium’s side.

Four players shared the top scorer honours of the match with 18 points each. Belgium’s outside Berre Van Looveren had two aces and two blocks on his tally to lead the team’s scorers. His Brazilian counterpart Diogo dos Anjos Pereira had three kill blocks and an ace. His teammates Felipe Parra Albuquerque and Bryan Lucas Alves da Silva also put away 18 points apiece.

In the other Pool D game on Friday, Mexico celebrated their first win of the tournament. A victory over Chile on a 23-point match high from Ines Antonio Vargas Lares brought the North Americans closer to a berth in the eighthfinals.

United States mastered their second straight-set win in Pool A, a shutout of Egypt, to stand second in the pool table on a perfect record of 2-0 and six points, separated from leaders Argentina on point ratio. Their outside Sterling Foley was the best scorer of the match with 16 points. Serbia registered their first win in the pool, downing Costa Rica in straight sets, , on a 17-point match high from Luka Stepanovic. The Serbs are now fourth on 1-2 and three points, below Egypt on set ratio, while Costa Rica are bottom of the table on 0-3.

France remained impeccable in Pool B as they registered their third three-point win in San Juan. This time, they mastered a shutout of Slovenia, who stand second on 1-3 and four points. French captain Mathis Henno led the way with 17 points, including three aces. Japan celebrated their first win in San Juan, a sweep of India with the help of 10 aces against none for the opponent. Takeru Watanabe led the team with 12 points, all in attack. The Japanese improved to third in the pool table on 1-1 and three, a point clear of fourth-placed Bulgaria, while India trail on 0-2.

Korea produced a shutout of Puerto Rico with the help of 12 points from the match top scorer Lee Woojin. As they have also been awarded the win in Saturday’s forfeited match against Nigeria, the Koreans finished their pool campaign on a 3-1 win-loss record and nine points, second to Iran on 3-0 and nine and ahead of Colombia (1-1 and three) and Puerto Rico (1-2 and three).

2023 FIVB Volleyball Boys' U19 World Championship: full schedule and results

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