American men's volleyball team claim first World League win
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The United States claimed their first victory in this year's FIVB men's volleyball World League in Week Two of the 2010 World League Intercontinental Round on Friday.
Beijing Olympic champions U.S. fought back from one set down to claim their first victory in the 2010 World League after three matches, outclassing Finland 25-27, 25-18, 27-25, 25-18 in Tampere, Finland. Sean Rooney scored 22 points for the U.S. while Antti Siltala scored 20 for the hosts.
The game opened with a close battle that saw Finland take the first set before the U.S. pulled away to claim three straight sets and clinch the victory.
"This was a tough match. In the first set we were leading, but Finland came back and won," the U.S. captain Ryan Millar said. "The third set was a turning point of this match when we won it 27-25."
Finland and the U.S.will encounter again on Saturday.
Meanwhile, the world third-ranked Russia fought off a tough challenge from the 14th ranked Egypt, after winning 3-1 (26-24, 22-25, 25-21, 25-15) in their home court in Kaliningrad.
Egyptian Abdelhay Ahmed topped the score list with 19 points but Russia, who are enjoying an all-win run in this season's World league, finally found its rhythm in the third set. The two sides will meet again on Saturday.
"I am happy with the victory, but I am not quite satisfied with how we reacted to the difficulties we had at the beginning of the match," Russian coach Daniele Bagnoli said. "We shouldn't have been nervous."
In the final match of the night the unbeaten Italy received a convincing 3-0 triumph with 25-21, 25-18, 25-18 over China in front of a crowd of jubilant Italian fans.
Despite Chang Ping topping the scoring with 15 points, China failed to match the Italians, with Michal Lasko scoring 12 points for the home side.
"Matches against China are always dangerous and for this reason we have to maintain this rhythm in the next match," Italian coach Andrea Anastasi said. Italy will face China again on Sunday in Ancona.
