Volleyball update: Cuba prepares for FIVB Women’s Championship
The time is running out quickly and soon the big volleyball action will hit the town. The FIVB Women’s World Championship is scheduled to start on October 29 and it will be continued for a fortnight. There has been a lot of activity going on in all women’s
volleyball squads. The teams are getting their guns ready and sharpening their skills for the upcoming show. Various teams are having friendly matches and formulating different strategies for the big event.
Likewise, Cuba played a friendly match with the Netherlands on Wednesday, 13th October, 2010 at their home court. The city of Rotterdam in Netherlands hosted the match. Cuba rose-up as the victorious team after 5-set close fight. The Caribbean
ladies posted a score of 3-2 (16-25, 25-23, 23-25, 27-25, and 15-11) and clinched match victory.
Detailed Synopsis
The home-team was equipped with great emotional support from local crowd and got the competitive edge of playing in their own country. The first set started with an average pace as both teams looked at each other and tried to grasp the game-plan of opposite
side. The home-squad gradually picked up speed and warm blood started running through their veins. They put their magic in the game and scored consecutive points. The Dutch players hit nice cut-shots and built a lead of 16-11. The uproar of fans enticed and
encouraged the local team to further extend their lead.
Cuban ladies looked for space to throw the ball in Dutch court but faced immense resistance. The fire-balls from Netherlands’ side were constantly doing the damage to Cuban team. The Netherlands’ team hit the ball from every angle and influenced the guest
team. Kim Staelens of Netherlands produced super hits across challengers’ court and contributed many valuable points in team’s score. Cuba struggled to add three more points at the second technical timeout but couldn’t make any progress after that point. The
Dutch team quickly covered the length of first set and claimed first set by 25-16.
Cuban team was in desperate need to break the rhythm of Dutch team, in order to gain better status. The timeout after the first set gave a chance to Cuban squad to sit and form better plan against up-rising Dutch team. The second set started and put Cuba
on serve. The first whistle of referee signalled Cuba’s point. The fantastic defensive effort and convincing spikes enabled Cuban team to start feeling alive. They made a great come-back and strengthened their grip on the ball.
The home-team tried to bring their dominance in game but Cubans proved too tough for them. The Dutch hitters smashed the ball with full might but Cuba remained ahead of them with their simple passes. Although it was a mental game but Cuba also had a bit
of luck and didn’t allow their rival side to put pressure on them. Finally Cuba finished the second set with perfect ace and posted 25-23.
The game entered third set and Dutch threw everything in attack to get their pride back. The game was stuck at the even point with 1-1 on the scoreboard. The Netherlands started the strike and brought their best hitters in front line. Their game saw improvement
and team was back in business. The fight for supremacy continued with an exchange of wild shots. Cuba attacked with Kenia Carcaces and tried to push hosts behind. Likewise, Dutch team was determined to take revenge. They were keen to attempt the tricky long
shots and hit the mark with 25-23 victory in third set. The same score was reversed to Cuba, while the Netherlands recovered from the shock of defeat in previous set.
The mood of the game drastically changed in the following two sets. The Caribbean team stunned the home-side with an exhibition of great play. The Netherlands fought well in fourth set but failed to achieve success. Cuba won the set with the help of 27-25.
Cuba continued with the same adversity in their attack and secured the fifth set. They hit the scoreboard with 15-11 and claimed match victory in friendly match.
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