Argentina beat Australia in flawless volleyball debut

Argentina made a triumphal debut with a 3-0 victory over Australia in a men's volleyball Group A preliminary round match. The set scores were 25-21, 25-22, 25-20.

Australia could never fully close the gap in any of the three sets although it kept Argentina from pulling away in all of them.

Argentina were led by Facundo Conte (nine kills, two blocks), Sebastián Sole (eight kills) and Pablo Crer (eight kills, two blocks), giving Argentina a balanced net attack.

Australia's Thomas Edgar (15 kills) and Igor Yudin(11 kills, two blocks) led their team's attack.

Curiously Australia’s head coach Jon Uriarte is the father of Argentina’s substitute setter Nicolás Uriarte, but he couldn't figure out a way to help the No. 22-ranked Volleyroos over No. 8 Argentina in each team's first match of the 2012 Olympics.

The brief introduction of his son in the second set caused a quick glance across the court. Jon later told reporters that it had been hard to keep his feelings under wraps.

“I don’t know if it was a contradiction, you know, but I was cheering for him as well,” joked Uriarte senior, standing beside his son, having embraced on court afterwards.

“When we knew about the draw and that we would be together at the Olympics I have been so happy,” added Jon, whose three children all play volleyball.

“As a father, seeing them be happy, expressing themselves as well, you know, it’s huge. I don’t know what life could give me next, it is already enough.”

Australian player Aden Tutton said afterwards Jon had been pumped up to beat his home country, but Uriarte’s family, sat in the stands at London’s Earls Court took a more equal approach.

“An Argentina flag and a Australia flag, a bit of both,” Nicolas said, pointing to either cheek on his face.

Argentina will face Italy in its second Group A game Tuesday. Australia will face host Great Britain later Tuesday.