Cuban Volleyball Team

Brazil, June 11 (RHC) With fresh memories of its experiences in 2024, Cuba will debut today in the seventh Volleyball Nations League (VNL) against an old acquaintance: Slovenia.

The match will take place at 9:00 p.m. local time at Maracanazinho in Rio de Janeiro, where the Caribbean team will begin its journey in Group 2 with its sights set on qualifying for the tournament's final phase for the first time.

The Caribbean team arrives after training in Argentina, where they faced the local team twice, losing 0-3 and 2-3, but with the opportunity to refine details of coordination, defense, and competitive rhythm. Now, the focus is on Slovenia, a rival that has beaten Cuba in the last two direct matches and is ranked fourth in the world.

The Cubans, led by Jesús Cruz, will feature players such as Miguel Ángel López and Marlon Yant, as well as veteran center Robertlandy Simón.

On the other hand, Slovenia arrives in Brazil with a squad full of experience and talent. Led by Italian Fabio Soli, the Europeans are counting on their mainstays Rok Mozic, Tine Urnaut, and setter Dejan Vincic to repeat their usual solid performance, after two fourth-place finishes in 2021 and 2024.

This match will be the first of four for the Cubans at the Brazilian venue. After Slovenia, the schedule reserves a clash tomorrow against the hosts, Ukraine, on Friday, and closes against the Americans on Sunday, in a decisive match.

Source: Prensa Latina