VNL 2023: important win for Germany (but then collapsed vs. Argentina). USA, Brazil and Slovenia ok. Italy down Canada at tie break

Week 3 of 2023 Volleyball Nations League continued today in Anaheim, United States, with Germany who sweep Bulgaria and leave the bottom of the standings!
The Europeans, waiting for the other results of today, went from 16th to 12th with this result that is their second victory in the competition.
They faced Bulgaria, the only team besides them until today with just one win, and prevailed 3-0 (25:22, 25:18, 25:22) without major problems.
The result made Germany surpass Bulgaria, Canada, Cuba and China, now ranking 12th with two victories and seven points.
Bulgaria now occupy the bottom of the standings with one win (six points).
Outside hitter Moritz Reichert ended the game as top scorer with 14 points including two aces, while opposite Linus Weber also reached double digits scoring 12 points including one block.
For Bulgaria outside hitters Martin Atanasov, Asparuh Asparuhov and Denis Karyagin were the top scorers, with 11, 9 and 9 points respectively.
However, the higher numbers of errors of Bulgaria made the difference (25 to 14).

On the other game of Pool 5, USA defeated Cuba 3-0 (27:25, 25:17, 25:15) struggling only in first set while, later in European evening, after a hard-fought first set, Argentina celebrated a 3-0 (25:23, 25:18, 25:17) win against the same Germany to stay at third place in the stadings.
Outside hitter Luciano Palonsky, with 14 points (nine in attack, two aces, three blocks), and middle blocker Agustin Loser, with 13 (six kills, one ace and as many as six blocks), were decisive in the win of Olympic Bronze Medallists, while opposite Linus Weber scored 13 points including two blocks for Germany.

In Pool 6 in Pasay City, Philippines, Brazil defeated 3-0 (25:21, 25:15, 25:20) The Netherlands, although the 18 points apiece from Ter Maat and Nimir.

On the same Pool, struggling more than expected, European and World champions Italy needed five sets to win against Canada, 2-3 (14:25, 25:23, 20:25, 25:23, 9:15), and this mean their qualification for the Finals. Now they will face their last two games against Slovenia and Japan only to define the position in the final standings.
Italy started in a perfect way, dominating first set, but then the North Americans react and, although the rivals lead the game 2-1 and 23-21 in fourth, they managed to tie tie score until tie break. Unfortunately, nothing to do as Italy have the control of the game from the very beginning, leading 7-2, until the decisive 15-9.
Michieletto ended the game as top scorer among the winners with 18 points, followed by middle blocker Galassi with 17 including 4 blocks and 2 aces, and Romanò, with 15. Also setter Simone Giannelli scored 7 points!
For Canada, opposite Sclater was the top scorer of the game with 22 points, but double digit also for Maar with 18 and Hoag with 14.

Close te picture the game between China and Slovenia, won by the latter in four sets but not without problems (21:25, 20:25, 26:24, 23:25).
Interesting the third set, in which China, 22-24, canceled two match points to then win the game 26-24.

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🏐| 2023 VOLLEYBALL NATIONS LEAGUE

— July 06, 2023 —

Pool 5 – Week 3 – Anaheim 🇺🇸

• 17:00 (Local Time) | Germany – Bulgaria 3-0 (25:22, 25:18, 25:22)

• 20:30 (Local Time) | USA – Cuba 3-0 (27:25, 25:17, 25:15)

• 16:30 (Local Time) | Argentina – Germany 3-0 (25:23, 25:18, 25:17)

Pool 6 – Week 3 – Pasay City 🇵🇭

• 11:00 (Local Time) | Brazil – The Netherlands 3-0 (25:21, 25:15, 25:20)

• 15:00 (Local Time) | Canada – Italy 2-3 (14:25, 25:23, 20:25, 25:23, 9:15)

• 19:00 (Local Time) | China – Slovenia 1-3 (21:25, 20:25, 26:24, 23:25)

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🏐| STANDINGS (updated on this day):
1. Japan 24
2. USA 24
3. Argentina 22
4. Brazil 22
5. Slovenia 22
6. Italy 20
7. Poland 16
8. The Netherlands 17
9. France 12
10. Serbia 11
11. Iran 8
12. Germany 7
13. Canada 6
14. China 6
15. Cuba 5
13. Bulgaria 6

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…NEXT MATCHES:

— July 07, 2023 —

Pool 5 – Week 3 – Anaheim 🇺🇸
• 17:00 (Local Time) | Serbia – Cuba
• 20:30 (Local Time) | Bulgaria – Iran
• 13:30 (Local Time) | Serbia – France

Pool 6 – Week 3 – Pasay City 🇵🇭
• 11:00 (Local Time) | Poland – Brazil
• 15:00 (Local Time) | Slovenia – Italy
• 19:00 (Local Time) | Japan – The Netherlands

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