Serbia Beat Argentina in Volleyball for First Time
A young, depleted Serbia side toppled Argentina 3-1 in the opening Nations League round in Brazil, claiming a first ever win over the rival after four previous meetings.
- Serbia beat Argentina 3-1 in the opening Nations League round in Brazil, with set scores of 25-23, 25-20, 25-27, 26-24.
- It was Serbia's first ever win over Argentina after four previous meetings.
- Masulovic led Serbia with 19 points, backed by Marinovic with 13 and Nedeljkovic with 11.
- Serbia played without several senior regulars, and still face Belgium, hosts Brazil and Bulgaria in Brazil.
The stands in Brazil leaned toward anyone willing to push the hosts, and Serbia’s youngsters walked onto the court as if nobody had bothered to tell them they were meant to be the underdogs. Serve after serve, block after block, the scoreboard suddenly showed a young Serbia leading a team that had come out on top in all four of their previous meetings. There was something fresh, almost cheeky, about it.
The head coach travelled to Brazil with a trimmed, rejuvenated squad, missing several first choice names, which is why this result reads like a small feat rather than a routine win. Argentina are a traditionally awkward opponent, a side that knows how to play on the edge and flip a set it appears to be losing. That is exactly what happened in the third set, yet the Serbian team refused to fold.
How did the match in which Serbia broke Argentina unfold?
Serbia took the first two sets in controlled fashion, 25-23 and 25-20, building their lead on the serve and on a disciplined reception. The third set was the kind of scenario that breaks young teams: Argentina tightened up, lifted their blocking and snatched it 27-25, climbing back into the match and into their rivals’ heads. The fourth set went point for point, all the way to 26-24, where Serbia calmly saw it out and sealed the win.
The difference came down to composure in the closing stretches. Where young teams usually rush and fumble easy balls, the Serbian side found points through carefully chosen attacks at the toughest moments. A fourth set decided by a two point margin captures just how tight the contest was and how much nerve it took to absorb the pressure.
The numbers and what comes next
Serbia’s most efficient player was Masulovic with 19 points, supported by Marinovic who added 13 and Nedeljkovic with 11. On the other side, Argentina were led by Visentin with 17 points, alongside Dias with 14 and Armoa Morel with 13. The figures point to a balanced match in which Serbia’s attack was slightly better distributed, which ultimately proved decisive.
The historical framing is worth repeating: this is Serbia’s first win over Argentina after four previous defeats or lost meetings, which gives the result extra weight precisely because it came from a team that entered the competition without several first team players.
As the tournament in Brazil continues, Serbia face Belgium, hosts Brazil and Bulgaria, a schedule that immediately tests whether this result was a one off surprise or a sign that the younger group can trouble stronger opponents too. If this young team carries the same energy into every coming match, we may be watching the start of a new generation of Serbian volleyball. Do you believe this side can reach the Nations League finals?
