Bolivar, Argentina, June 27, 2006 -- Argentina lost the fifth and last match against the USA men's national team 3-0 (22-25, 20-25, 22-25) in Republica de Venezuela Stadium in the city of Bolivar. Martin Hernandez and James Polster were the best players.
From Sunday, July 2, comes the last series of friendly matches, against Croatia, starting in Rio Cuarto, Cordoba Province, before receiving in San Juan the strong Brazilian team for the first two matches of the 2006 World League on July 15-16.
Since Jon Uriarte started working with the Argentine team from the beginning of April, four series of friendly matches, through to July 11, have seen the team playing Spain, Venezuela, USA and Croatia, combining intense, double-shift training at Cenard facilities with an exhaustive touring schedule through Resistencia, Gral. Pinedo, Formosa, Misiones (twice), Azul, Bolivar (twice), Los Toldos, Rojas, Moron, Buenos Aires city, Rio Cuarto (twice) and Malargue (twice).
Uriarte changed most of the players on each tour, mixing experienced international players with some talented youngsters (the youngest is De Cecco, an 18-year-old setter) on a long journey toward this year's World Championships in Japan and ultimately the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.
For the last match against the USA, Gaston Giani replaced Juan Pablo Alanis for the home team, while Polster, Eatherton and Priddy were in the starting line-up instead of Gardner, Lee and Salmon.
Argentina 0 - USA 3
Sets: 22-25, 20-25, 22-25
Referees: Cabrera, Barrios
Stadium: Republica de Venezuela, Bolivar
Argentina (0): Luciano De Cecco, Gustavo Scholtis (C), Matias Zublena, Martin Hernandez, Gaston Giani, Gustavo Porporato, Martin Meana (L). Coach: Jon Uriarte. Substitutes included: Ignacio Bernasconi, Guillermo Garcia, Juan Pablo Alanis.
USA (3): Donald Suxho (C), Reid Priddy, Phil Eatherton, David McKienzie, James Polster, Ryan Millar, Rich Lambourne (L). Coach: Hugh McCutcheon. Substitutes included: Gabriel Gardner, Brook Billings.
