VOLLEYROOS LOSE GAMES CLASH TO ARGENTINA

LONDON, July 29 AAP: The Australian men's volleyball team have opened their Olympic campaign with a straight-sets loss to Argentina, but managed to really test the world No.8 South Americans using coach Jon Uriarte's inside knowledge.

The 22-ranked Australians - an entire team of Olympic debutants - went down 25-21 25-22 25-2 to Uriarte's native Argentina - a team in which his son Nicolas plays.

Despite facing one of the world's top 10 sides the Volleyroos kept pace with Argentina the entire match, never allowing them more than a three-point lead until the end of the third set.

With Argentina 19-14 ahead in the third, Australia bridged the gap slightly with some sensational blocking, but in the end the South Americans were just too strong, sealing the win on their second match point.

The Australians showed flashes of promise but were outplayed by Argentina who dominated play with a superior serve and a powerful attack.

Towering Australian Thomas Edgar - standing about 212cm tall - top-scored for the match with 16 points and was the Volleyroos main man at the net with 17 spikes while captain Igor Yudin added another 13 point.

Sebastian Sole was Argentina's highest scorer with 13.
Australia face world No.92 side, hosts Great Britain, in their next pool C clash on Tuesday night.