Spain keeps Finland winless after four-set win

(BEIJING, June 23) -- Spain moved to within a point of pool C leaders Bulgaria and the USA with a 25-18, 26-24, 21-25, 25-22 victory over winless Finland on June 23 to wrap up the second weekend of the FIVB World League 2008. Spain is now 2-2 in the tournament; they will meet Bulgaria at home next weekend in Madrid.

"We are very happy for the outcome of this weekend, since we achieved our goal of winning the two matches," said Spain's captain Miguel Angel Falasca. "Today it was especially hard for us because some of our players were tired or with physical problems but we made less errors than Finland and that was the key for our victory."

Despite a 0-4 record, the Finnish team, which plays the USA next week, remained positive.

"The difference was the confidence in the main moments of the game. We played at a high level during most parts of the match, but we also had lower moments," said Finnish head coach Mauro Berruto. "Out of the two matches we have played in Spain, I liked this last one the most, because I felt a closer distance between two teams in this match."

"It was a positive weekend for us," captain Miko Esko added. "Even though we did not win, we could have won both matches, so I am satisfied."