Today, Argentina needs a helping hand from France. On Thursday, they clash for their final pool stage play. So Argentina needs all the support they can get, especially from Filipino fans to reach the FIVB Men's World Championship Round of 16.
This Tuesday, Argentina found itself in quite an ironic situation with reigning Olympic champion France.
After pulling off the first reverse sweep of the 2025 FIVB Men's World Championship against Finland, Argentina quickly had to shake off the pressure to take on Korea.
No five-setter this time. It took Pablo Koukartsev and the World No. 9 Argentina four frames down South Korea, which returned to the world stage after 11 years, 25-22, 23-25, 25-21, 25-18.
[ALSO READ: FIVB: Argentina downs Korea to boost Round of 16 bid at Men’s World Championship]
"We saw a lot of surprises in the beginning of this championship, a lot of surprises. Even we didn't start really good against Finland, losing 2-0, because we have a lot of doubts, a lot of nervous pressure. But we take the match, we won the game, it's the most important for us," Koukartsev told the media after the match against Korea.
"And I think today we played more relaxed, more comfortable."
The opposite spiker topped all players with 21 points from 16 attacks, three blocks, and two aces.
"I think Korea played really good defense," veteran setter Lucciano de Cecco told One Sports. "They put a lot of pressure on us in the first two sets. We made a little bit of mistakes in the beginning... but I think it's no easy matches in this tournament, so it's normal."
By getting the job done against Korea, Argentina would be a step closer towards the Round of 16.
However, they need France to take down Finland later this Tuesday to advance.
And then, the South Americans take on the Olympic champions in the final round of pool play on Thursday.
"Now we need to keep playing better, be focused on what we have to change or maybe what we need to improve, or keep practicing to be better with a high level against the match of France and try to do the best," Koukartsev said.
He knows they aren't going to the favorites heading to that match, but they're going to take all that they can get.
"I guess Filipinos will support more France, because they are two-time Olympic champion. They are more the favorite of the group," he mused.
"But if we have just five people supporting us, for us it's enough," he said. "All the support that we can have, it's really important for us... It's going to be extra motivation and we will take it and try to win the game."
Argentina takes on France on Thursday, September 18, 6:00 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
[ALSO READ: SCHEDULE, RESULTS | 32 teams compete in 2025 FIVB Men's World Championship]
Katrina Alba is a sports journalist and producer, notably with SportsCenter Philippines before taking on her current role at One Sports.
She primarily writes about basketball and volleyball, with experience covering the SEA Games, Asian Games, and the FIBA World Cup. Outside of work, her hobbies include running, swimming, pickleball, yoga, arnis, and krav maga.