Cuba Couldn’t vs Russia & USA in VB

HAVANA TIMES, July 8 — Cuba’s Men’s Team was unable to rebound off a sensational match against Brazil (losing 3-2) and finished its final round of the World Volleyball League play losing in straight sets to Russia and then 3-2 to the USA.

The Cubans had made it into the final round by sweeping Italy in their last match of the qualifying round and then showed promise in the cliff hanger with Brazil.  But it appears they ran out of gas against the tough Russian squad on Thursday losing three sets by the identical 25-20 score.

Friday’s match with the USA was a seesaw competition with the Cubans taking the first and fourth sets and then losing 15-13 in the tiebreaker.

Cuba’s group in the first phase of the final round was won by Russia 3-0 followed by Brazil 2-1, USA 1-2 and Cuba 0-3.