Finland beat 3-2 (25-19, 25-23, 27-29, 21-25, 15-10) Puerto Rico in the first match ever between both the teams in a world level major tournament. Thus the Finns keep their chances for qualifying for the next phase alive. They might do it as earliest tonight but it depends on the result of the second game for today Cuba – Bulgaria.
Tuomas Sammelvuo, head coach of Finland: „I love Volleyball! It was that kind of a game where everything could happen and you have to fight for every ball till the very end. We were very focused, served well and played good volleyball until the last point of the third set. It sometimes happens. We faced a strong opponent with their great opposite Torres. He is a very, very good player. Their setter performed on a high level as well. But I am proud of my team because we could recover mentally after the third set. We got back our self confidence after the good start in the fifth set and I am glad that we managed to win it easily. I still do not t think about the second round. We are concentrated on our next game and we still play match by match.”
Urpo Sivula, player of Finland: „It was an important win for us. We started all well but then something happened, we began to play too much ahead of us and we did not think about every ball. But we are glad that we won and now we are just going to see if Bulgaria will win against Cuba which will send us to Milano.”
Oswald Antonetti, head coach of Puerto Rico: “Our players are physically well prepared enough to compete in such a high level tornaments. Today we played better than in the previous days. We had fun and we are not disappointed at all. I definitely can say that we are improving ourselves!”
Maurice Torres, player of Puerto Rico: “This crowd was just incredible! It is fantastic for our sport to be supported by so many fans. So first I would like to thank them! The only thing I can say about the match is that we just missed its end. On the other hand games like these are very useful especially for our young players who get a priceless experience. Today we showed a different face of us!”