The men's main round and consolation rounds conclude today in Sarmiento Park with the host nation Argentina hoping they can make the semi-finals in front of what is set to be an amazing atmosphere in Buenos Aires at the Youth Olympic Games.
2018 Youth Olympic Games – Buenos Aires
Matchday 5: Men’s Main & Consolation Rounds – Friday 12 October
- Main Round group separated by just four points from top to bottom
- Spain lead with six points, four teams on four points each, Thailand with two
- Three matches today in main round will decide last four teams
- The games will be played one after the other, long wait for host nation to decide their fate
- Venezuela and Italy will play twice today in consolation round, then placement matches
- Places 5-12 to be decided in afternoon session
For the match schedules and results click HERE and HERE. How to Follow the Games HERE.
Men’s Main Round: Day 2
A dramatic day yesterday saw the form book go out of the window as the strongest teams going into the main round (Argentina and Hungary) lost both of their matches and those going in without any points won three of their four (Portugal and Thailand).
So to predict what will happen today is impossible - what is sure though is that if Spain beat Portugal in the opening match they will have eight points with a semi-final spot.
Like yesterday, the weather forecast is predicted to be wet and cold - averaging around 14 degrees - and with vociferous home fans expected to be out in force as usual, another memorable atmosphere in Sarmiento Park is predicted - but the home fans will have to wait nearly three hours after the throw-off of the second match (Thailand vs Croatia) before they start their match and their last chance to qualify for the medal place shot.
Even wins for teams today will not guarantee a place in the semi-finals so for the neutral it will be a great festival of suspense, but for those fans supporting their nations, it will be a nail-biting spectacle.
Matches (all times local)
10:50 ESP vs POR
12:30 THA vs CRO
15:20 HUN vs ARG
Men’s Consolation Round: Day 2
World championship silver medallists Italy and South American side Venezuela won both of their matches yesterday in the opening day of the consolation round and cannot not be caught on eight points in the group - therefore their meeting today will be the first of two as, once the second day of the consolation round finishes in the morning, 7-12 placement matches take place in the afternoon with the two teams meeting again in the 7/8 placement match.
Mauritius will fancy their chances of defeating Uruguay, and if Paraguay should lose to to Chinese Taipei, the African side will play for 9/10 place.
Matches (all times local)
10:50 VEN vs ITA
11:40 TPE vs PAR
11:40 URU vs MRI
Placement Matches to be played (confirmed once Consolation Round has completed)
16:10 Placement Match 11/12
17:00 Placement Match 9/10
17:00 Placement Match 7/8: Venezuela vs Italy
17:00 Placement Match 5/6