Cuban Volleyball Team
Photo: FIVB

Havana, Jun 13 (JIT) - In a sensational clash Cuba defeated Brazil 3-2 (27-25, 26-24, 21-25, 20-25 and 15-13) in front of a packed Macarazinho Stadium in the continuation of Grouo 2 during the opening week of the Volleyball Nations League (VNL).

Like last year, the Cuban team overcame the hosts (then 3-1) and now have the balance of one win and one setback (yesterday against Slovenia) to maintain their aspirations of achieving three wins in this first segment.

The technical director opened mostly with the same regulars from Wednesday, as only Jose Miguel Gutierrez was absent, who gave way to captain Miguel Angel Lopez, who became one of the architects of the victory along with corner attacker Marlon Yant and opposite José Massó.

Yant was the top scorer of the match with 23 attacks, escorted by Lopez, who added 18 (14 spikes, 2 blocks, and 2 aces), a figure also achieved by Massó (16 attacks, 2 blocks), according to the official site of the tournament.

Another player in double digits was centerfielder Javier Concepción with 10 (9A-1B). His position mate, Roamy Alonso, totaled six points (5A-1B) in four halves, as he was replaced by David Fiel (1B) in the fifth.

Passer Christian Thondike added four points (3B-1S) and assistant Osniel Mergarejo completed an attack as a change player.

For the Brazilians, opposite Darlan shined, scoring 21 points (19-0-2), followed by corner attacker Honorato and middle blocker Judson, both with 14, to lead a team that fought until the fifth set trying not to repeat the history of 2024, but lethal points from Fiel and Yant ended up silencing the crowd.

The statistics reflect the battle that took place on the court, although not in its true dimension the grit shown by Cruz's pupils, despite mistakes in the service and defense of the field.

Cuba had the advantage in attack (68-61) and the opposite was the panorama in service (3-7). In blocks there was parity (10-10) and the winners committed more errors of their own (34-28).

This Friday, the Cuban team will face again a European opponent, starting at 4:30 p.m., Ukraine, who defeated the United States 3-0 (25-22, 25-20, 25-23) the day before.