Cuba squeezes past Bulgaria to advance to FIVB's World Championships semi-finals
Both Cuba and Bulgaria beat Spain 3-1 to enter the final match of Pool Q in the Federation Internationale de Volleyball’s (FIVB) Men’s World Championships with identical 1-0 records. The winner of the
final match of round three would advance to the semi-finals, the loser would move to the 5-8 group. Going 0-2 in the third round, Spain will meet Argentina in the 9-12 group.
Cuba survived the closest match of the third round with a 3-2 (22-25, 25-23, 26-28, 30-28, 15-11) victory over Bulgaria. The 2-0 Cubans will meet Serbia in the semi-finals, and at 1-1, Bulgaria will face
a tough Russian team in the 5-8 group.
“We knew it was a difficult match,” said Brazilian team captain Robertlandy Simon Aties. “We are very happy and proud of the the final result.”
Wilfredo Leon, the 17-year-old Cuban sensation, scored 22 points and Simon scored another 20 points. Vladimir Nikolov had a match high 28 points for Bulgaria, and Matey Kaziyski added another 20.
“I’m very upset tonight because we can’t go to Rome,” said Bulgarian captain Nikolov. “Congratulations to Cuba that played a good match.”
Bulgaria led Cuba 8-2 at the First Technical Timeout (FTT), but backed by a vociferous crowd, Simon and the Cuban team improved their play, and made the first set close. Still the early Bulgarian lead
was too much for the Cubans to overcome as they lost 25-22.
The two teams were tied at the FTT in the second set, but strong blocking, and poor receiving and serving by Bulgaria gave Cuba a late 22-16 lead. Bulgaria battled back to make it 22-21, but a Todor Aleksiev
error, and an ace from Rolando Cepeda Abreu gave the Cubans a 25-23 win.
Bulgaria took an early lead in the third set, but up 22-20 Bulgaria allowed Cuba to score three straight points to take a one point lead. Two strong spikes a short time later however, gave Bulgaria a 28-26
win, and a 2-1 lead in the match.
With Cuba on the brink of elimination and Bulgaria already tasting a birth in the semi-finals, the fourth set was a see-saw battle. Cuba ultimately won the match, but it required the teams to go deep into
extra points to decide the winner as Cuba forced a fifth set with a 30-28 victory.
With momentum on their side, the Cubans stormed into the fifth set, and led 8-5 as the teams switched sides. Youth and talent powered helped the Cubans complete the comeback with a 15-11 victory in the
final set.
“I’m happy to be in the final four in Rome with Italy, Brazil and Serbia,” said the Cuban head coach, Orlando Samuel Blackwood. “In the deciding moment we managed to conclude points, and I’m very proud
of our team, but Bulgaria played very well as well. It was a difficult but incredible match.”
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