Yokohama, Japan, October 1, 2018 - Germany beat Argentina 3-0 in Pool A action at Yokohama Arena on Monday afternoon with the aid of an astonishing 66-point second set lasting 42 minutes. Germany finally won it 34-32 on their eighth set point to take a 2-0 lead after Argentina had missed five set points of their own.
The Germans improved their win-loss record to 2-1 with this 25-21, 34-32, 25-18 victory while Argentina dropped to 0-3.
Louisa Lippmann led the German team with 23 points and received great support from captain Maren Fromm (14) and Jennifer Geerties (10). Argentina's top scorer was Lucia Fresco (15), while Elina Rodriguez added 12 and captain Emilce Sosa recorded six blocks.
Argentina came into the game on the back of two straight 3-0 defeats at the hands of Japan and Mexico, whereas Germany recovered from their opening day loss to the Dutch to ease past Cameroon 3-0 for their first win the previous day.
Behind some strong spikes and serves from leading scorer Louisa Lippmann, the Germans built up a four-point lead at the second TTO, 16-12. Captain Maren Fromm and southpaw setter Denise Hanke added to Germany's tally as they stepped up the pace.
The Argentines were struggling to keep up with the German play but captain Emilce Sosa and Lucia Fresco gave them hope with some impressive replies.
Germany had four set points at 24-20 and won it at the second attempt 25-21 with a Lippmann block. Lippmann scored eight points in the first set and Jennifer Geerties added five. Fresco replied with seven for Argentina, all of them winners.
In the second set, Lippmann pounced on an overhead set to take Germany into the first TTO leading 8-6 but a stunning Fresco block on Lippmann gave encouragement to the South Americans. Fresco was in fine form in attack and defence, particularly her strength and detremination at the net in one-on-one duels. Sosa followed with her own monster block as Argentina stayed in touch.
In a crazy ending to the second set, Germany won it 34-32 on their eighth set point - including four in a row from 24-20 - after Argentina had missed five of their own.
In the third set, Germany led 16-11 at the second TTO and, when they extended that to 19-13, Argentina called a TO as they struggled to stay in the match. Germany ended it 25-18.