Russia defeated top-ranked Argentina 25-19, 23-25, 21-25, 25-18, 15-12 to win the FIVB World junior volleyball title in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Wednesday night. It was the second-seeded Russia's eighth title in the under-21 event.
Russia's Leonid Shchadilov, the championship's best spiker, was adjudged as the ‘most valuable player' and his teammates Igor Filippov (best blocker) and Aleksey Kabeshov (best libero) also won special prizes.
Serbia defeated the USA 25-15, 25-20, 23-25, 25-13 and won the bronze medal.
The results:
Final: Russia bt Argentina 25-19, 23-25, 21-25, 25-18, 15-12. For third place: Serbia bt USA 25-15, 25-20, 23-25, 25-13.
Semifinals: Russia bt Serbia 25-22, 25-15, 23-25, 25-13; Argentina bt USA 27-29, 28-26, 25-19, 25-20.
Final placings (top 10): 1. Russia, 2. Argentina, 3. Serbia, 4. USA, 5. Brazil, 6. Iran, 7. Spain, 8. India, 9. Belgium, 10. Germany.
