Yesterday

Rwanda 0-3 MoroccoEstonia 3-0 Venezuela

Rwanda lost their third classification match against Morocco 3-0 (25-21, 25-10, and 25-21) on Saturday to finish in the last position at the 2013 FIVB Men’s U21 World Championships in Izmir, Turkey.

Yesterday’s defeat follows another 3-0 reverse against Estonia on Friday 25-12, 27-25, and 25-13. The two losses came fresh on the heels of the team registering the country’s first ever win at the world level against Venezuela in first classification match on Thursday.

Defeat to fellow Africans, whom they beat 3-1 at the African Championship early this year, means Paul Bitok’s side finished in 20th position, Morocco in 19th, Venezuela in 18th position while Estonia in 17th position.

Making only their first appearance in the world championships, Rwanda’s major weakness has been in reception and defense, which has cost the debutants valuable points despite matching their better prepared opponents.

Morocco dominated all the volleyball skills in their way to defeat Rwanda in the last match of the classification group for 17 to 20th positions.

Rwanda finished with a win- loss ratio of 1-2 and 2 points, while victory for Morocco secured them second position in the classification tournament with 1-2 win- loss ratio gaining 5 points. 

Morocco proceeded Venezuela, which finished with the same points and the same win- loss ratio but the North Africans had a better set quotient 6-6 against 5-7 for the South American rivals. 

Rwanda’s captain Aimable Mutuyimana led his team scorers contributing 10 points, while the Moroccan outside hitter Zouhair El Graoui led his team scorers with 14 points.