Tag: 2025 World Cup U19

July 25, 2025.- On the second day of the U19 Boys’ World Championship being held in Uzbekistan, the United States won a NORCECA clash against Cuba, while Canada and Puerto Rico suffered their second losses of the tournament.

United States 3, Cuba 1

Cuba couldn’t hold on to its first-set lead and ended up falling to the United States 3-1 (17-25, 25-19, 25-15, 25-21) on day two of competition. With this result, the U.S. moves to 1-1, while Cuba drops its second match. Pool D is currently led by Korea and Finland (2-0), followed by Brazil and the United States (1-1), with Cuba and Colombia at the bottom (0-2).

U.S. captain Grant Lamoureux led all scorers with 18 points, including 13 kills, 1 block, and 4 aces. Middle blocker Román Payne also reached double figures, playing a key role at the net to deny several Cuban attacks. Payne tallied 13 points (6 kills, 6 blocks, 1 ace).

Team USA outperformed Cuba in kills (43-42) and blocks (15-4), while both teams were tied in aces (5 each).

Puerto Rico 0, Belgium 3

Puerto Rico dropped its second match of the tournament with a 0-3 (21-25, 21-25, 16-25) loss to Belgium. Pool A is led by Pakistan and Argentina (2-0), followed by Uzbekistan and Belgium (1-1), with Türkiye and Puerto Rico still winless (0-2).

Puerto Rico held a slight edge in blocks (6-5), but Belgium dominated in kills (49-20) and aces (6-2). Gustavo Antonio Álvarez led Puerto Rico with 10 points (8 kills, 1 block, 1 ace).

Canada 1, Japan 3

Canada couldn’t capitalize on taking the first set and fell 1-3 (29-27, 11-25, 23-25, 20-25) against Japan. Pool B is topped by France and Bulgaria (2-0), followed by China and Japan (1-1), while Canada and Algeria remain winless (0-2).

The Canadians led in blocks (12-9) but committed 32 unforced errors. Japan held the advantage in kills (46-41) and aces (8-5). Tyson Dezutter was Canada’s top scorer with 17 points (16 kills, 1 block). Ken Jasmir Ahmad Farooq and Sowa Maeda also reached double digits with 13 points each, with Maeda contributing 3 blocks for Japan.

Schedule July  26 (Local time)

Puerto Rico vs Uzbekistán 5:00pm

Canadá vs Argelia 5:00pm

Cuba vs Finlandia 8:00pm

Estados Unidos vs Colombia 8:00pm

July 24, 2025.- The U19 Boys’ World Championship kicked off this Thursday in Uzbekistan, but NORCECA teams were unable to secure victories on opening day.

POOL A

Argentina earned a straight-set victory over Puerto Rico (25-19, 25-21, 25-23), with Federico Debonis and Mauro Gay combining for a total of 32 points. Puerto Rican captain Jean Paul González was the only player on his team to reach double digits, scoring 13 points.

Puerto Rico held the edge in blocks (9-8), but Argentina outperformed them in attacks (42-28). Neither team recorded any service aces.

POOL B

At the Sport University Center, Canada initially surprised France by taking the first set, but the Europeans bounced back to win 3-1 (22-25, 25-22, 25-20, 25-20).

Reuben Veith led the Canadian side with 16 points, including 13 kills. Tyson Dezutter and Ethan Baraniuk also reached double digits with 10 points apiece.

Canada led in blocks (8-3), while France was superior in attacks (53-45) and service aces (5-1).

POOL D

Finland came from behind to defeat the United States 3-1 (17-25, 25-17, 25-21, 25-20), powered by a 17-point performance from Kaapo Vanhatupa. Viktor Viljamaa and Kasper Vesanen added 14 and 12 points, respectively.

Finland’s defense made the difference, outblocking the Americans 11-6.

For Team USA, Grant Lamoureux and Elan Taylor each scored 13 points, with Payne Roman contributing 12.

In the final match of the day, Korea, bronze medalists in 2023, swept Cuba 3-0 (25-21, 25-20, 25-20), led by 18 points from Lee Junho and 16 from Bang Kangho. Korea led in kills (47-41), blocks (7-4), and service aces (3-1).

Yosdani Medina was Cuba’s top scorer with 16 points.

Friday, July 25 Schedule (Local Time):

Puerto Rico vs Belgium – 11:00 AM

Canada vs Japan – 5:00 PM

United States vs Cuba – 8:00 PM