Serbia holds off Cuba for 3-0 victory – Volleyball news
Serbia and Cuba crossed ways in the fourth match of 2012 FIVB Women’s World Olympic Qualification Tournament on Wednesday. Tokyo Metropolitan Gym in Japan provided the backdrop for the match.
Serbia proved to be too good for victory and edged out Caribbean counterparts in three sets. The final set scores of the match were 3-0 (25-21, 25-23, 25-19). Cuban team played to its full potential but failed to overcome the European champions Serbia. More
than 2,500 volleyball enthusiasts showed up at the competition hall to catch the highlights of the match.
Cuba could not win the match but it had the top-scorer of the match in the form of Rosanna Giel, who added 15 points. For Serbia, Stefana Veljkovic and Natasa Krsmanovic put up a good fight and claimed 11 points apiece.
Match was opened on a high note and audience saw an early exchange of solid serves. Serbia initially trailed behind but gradually improved. Serbs ladies counter-attacked and claimed three-point lead at FTT. Cuban promptly reacted and came up with variety
of attacks. In the hour of need, Giel struggled for the Caribbean team. She managed to shorten the gap but could not quite put her team in lead. Serbia led the scores all way to end and claimed opening set, 25-21.
In the next set, Serbians were aware of the hostile response of Cuba. They played sensibly and kept an upper hand on Cuba. Serbia led the scores at the first mandatory stop and maintained its dominance up till the next stop. Cubans threw everything in attack
but it seemed as if they were out of luck. Serbs defeated them with two-point lead at 25-23 and extended their lead to 2-0.
Serbian fans were really up for a treat as their team had a fair chance to win the match. Serbia continued with success in third set and sent Cuba defeat. They posted 25-19 and settled for match victory.
Following the loss of an important match, Cuban mentor Juan Carlos Gala seemed worried. He shared his thoughts in the following manner, “I'm very surprised because my players have not reacted in this big competition. The key moments we did not play well.
Only Rosanna Giel did the job. I can't believe the way we have played. We lost 3-0. I thought we had a chance, but we didn't.After three losses, everybody is disappointed. The mood in the team is not good the only thing we can do is play our best in the remaining
matches.”
However, the Coach of winning squad Zoran Terzic enjoyed a great mood after the victory. He appreciated the great effort of Cuba and also praised the team-work of his players. He congratulated his team and especially complimented Maja Ognjenovic for her
contribution to the team.
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