The match highlight of Cuba vs. Serbia in FIVB World Championship 2010
The FIVB Men’s World Championship is done with the first round and successful teams have been promoted in the next phase. The championship is scheduled to run from September 25 to October 10, 2010 and it is slowly covering its length. Cuba and Serbia are
among qualifiers of second round, and they played their first match on Thursday, 30th September, 2010 in Milan, Italy.
Match started at 17:05 local time and scrimmage continued until 18:42. The sports hall was filled with the 2300 spectators, who raised happy slogans in support of their respective teams. Osamu Sakaide of Japan and Denny Cespedes of Dominican Republic performed
their duties as the match referees. Four sets were played in the search of better team. Ultimately, Serbian team overpowered the Caribbean ‘force’ and won the match by posting 3-1 (16-25, 25-19, 25-22, and 25-19) on the scoreboard.
Cuban rule in first set
The first set was opened with an average pace. The players took a little time to settle in their positions. Gradually the game picked up velocity and teams got their weapons out. The powerful serves of Robertlandy Simon Aties of Cuba created strong impression
in the game. The Cuban team was united and put a collective effort to raise the score. Serbia seemed uneasy in the first set, as they dropped a few of easy shots. The players couldn’t form good combinations, and there was communication deficit among players.
In this scenario, Cuban benefitted and built a lead on Serbia.
Fernando Hernandez of Cuba produced good rallies and added many points in team’s score. The Cuban libero grabbed much attention for nice digging, which made the game more exciting. Cuba successfully pushed their score to the verge of victory. They achieved
25-16 and got the credit of first-set triumph.
Serbia ties the game in second set
Cuba was in better position after claiming the first set but Serbia also struggled to break their rule in game. Serbs had learned the lesson in first, so they overcame their flaws and followed a different approach. Marko Podrascanin of Serbia dismissed many
of Cuban attack attempts and saved points. In the meantime, Ivon Miljkovic supported the team with exceptional spikes, which promptly helped them to take the leading role. Serbia scored consecutive points and put pressure on the Cuban side. They kept on moving
with same momentum and tied the game by capturing second set (25-19).
Serbia continues with success in third set
Second set victory actually restored Serbian players’ confidence and brought them back in the business. Nikola Kovacevic of Serbia hit the ball at ideal spaces and received thundering applause from the audience. Cuba tried to bring back their pride in game
and called better substitutions in third set. Somehow, Serbia proved to be too strong for them and remained one step ahead in the game. The failing shots of Cuban hitters added more anxiety in the game, while Serbs accompanied success and hit powerful spikes.
At the end, Serbia won more rallies and pulled off victory in third set. They hit the scoreboard with 25-22 and built a lead of 2-1.
Bruising encounter in fourth set
Serbia had the competitive edge in game, and they wanted to quickly finish the fourth set. But fired-up Cuban side was desperate to tie the score in fourth set. It was really a bruising encounter between two sides. Cuba played under huge pressure and committed
frequent mistakes, which created perfect opportunity for Serbia to live their dream of victory. Serbs extended their lead and finally captured the fourth set by sending 25-19.
Serbia claimed the match-victory in first match of the second round. Serbia will be facing Mexico in the next match on 2nd October, 2010. Serbs are determined to continue with success and become the successful team of Pool G.
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