20-Nov, start time: 15:06, end time: 16:17 - Attendance: 1,700

TUN	0	23	21	22	-	-	66
VEN	3	25	25	25	-	-	75

Match Description:

Venezuela Down Tunisia for First World Cup Win
Venezuela registered their first ever World Cup victory when they won the battle of the lower-ranked teams at Site B in Hamamatsu with a straight-sets triumph over African champions Tunisia.

The Pan American Games gold medalists gave further evidence of their much-talked about potential when they powered their way to a 25-23, 25-21, 25-22 win that was more convincing than the score-line suggests.

The result left Tunisia with four losses from four games as they failed to build on their last performance against France where they showed impressive form despite going down in five close sets.

There was little between the two sides as they jostled for the initiative in an opening set that saw the scores locked at 18-18. But then the South Americans won four straight points and although Tunisia fought back to 22-23 they were unable to make up the deficit as Venezuela took a one-set lead.

With captain Ernardo Gomez improving as the match went on, Venezuela started to impose their greater power on proceedings. Carlos Luna and Thomas Ereu were also in impressive form as the South Americans opened a 21-16 lead. Although Tunisia again fought back Venezuela never looked like dropping the set.

The final set followed a similar pattern. Tunisia's Noureddine Hfaiedh and Hosni Karamosly showed some impressive offense but ultimately they were unable to match the powerful hitting and superior athleticism of their opponents as they fell to their fourth successive defeat.

Comments:

"Today's match was very significant for Venezuela and a very important victory. I think we were very composed and calm and displayed very good team work. Everybody was able to concentrate on their jobs during the game and I am very happy that we came away with a 3-0 result."
MIGUEL CAMBERO
Head coach, Venezuela

"It was a very important win for us since we had not won a match before this. I did not sleep so well last night for thinking about it. But I am very happy we came through."
CARLOS LUNA
Venezuela

"Today we were given a lesson in playing relaxed Volleyball. They controlled the match. We were not so far behind them technically but we made too many errors and served very badly. We served too much to their libero, who is a very able player. This left their attackers free. Perhaps we were a little tired because we did not manage to follow the tactics we had decided before the game. The second touch of the Venezuelan team was always a very good set, so every time they attacked us very well."
ANTONIO GIACOBBE
Head coach, Tunisia

Official Result:

Match statistics (P-2) - PDF