Cuban volleyball experienced a dream night on Tuesday as the men's team triumphed over archrival Brazil with a 3-1 victory to kick off the 2024 Nations League. This win keeps their aspirations alive for ranking-based qualification to the Paris Olympics.
Despite playing on "enemy turf" with thousands of fans rooting against them at the Maracanazinho in Rio de Janeiro, the squad led by coach Jesús Cruz delivered an outstanding performance, crushing the South American team's hopes with set scores of 25-23, 27-29, 25-21, and 25-21.
The team's cohesive performance paid off, with outside hitter Marlon Yant emerging as the top scorer with 18 points—12 from attacks (12-30, 40% effectiveness), two from blocks, and four from serves. The other starters also met their objectives: wing spiker Miguel Ángel López (15 points, 60% effectiveness), opposite hitter Michael Sánchez (14 points, 66.6% effectiveness), and middle blockers Javier Concepción (13 points, 70% effectiveness) and Robertlandy Simón (12 points, 77% effectiveness). Setter Christian Thondyke orchestrated the offense with surgical precision.
"A great victory considering it’s always a significant achievement to beat one of the world's best teams like Brazil, especially at home and at the start of such an important tournament for us," said the experienced Simón after the match.
“We fought point by point, set by set. We know the task is complex and qualifying for Paris is a tough challenge, but here we are, without losing strength and confidence. It's step by step, without overconfidence and staying focused," added the towering player, who stands over two meters tall.
Another Cuban-born player, Yoandy Leal, was the most productive for the Brazilian team, scoring 19 points, surpassing teammates Ricardo Lucarelli (11 points), Darlan Souza (10 points), Lucas Saatkamp (10 points), Flavio Gualberto (10 points), and Alan Souza (8 points).
With this victory, Cuba gained a valuable 12.7 points in the global ranking, now totaling 249.66 points and closing in on Serbia (253.22 points), who will debut against Iran on Wednesday in the competition. The Cuban team will rest today and return to the court tomorrow to face another familiar opponent: Germany. Both Germany and Brazil have secured their tickets to Paris 2024 after finishing at the top of the pre-Olympic tournament held last year in Rio.
The remaining spots are held by Tokyo 2020 champion France, Japan, and the United States, who won their respective qualifying tournaments in Tokyo, as well as Poland and Canada, who topped the event organized in China.
Cuba's Path to the Paris Olympics
Here are some frequently asked questions about Cuba's recent victory and their journey toward the Paris Olympics.
How did Cuba perform against Brazil in the 2024 Nations League?
Cuba defeated Brazil 3-1 with set scores of 25-23, 27-29, 25-21, and 25-21, showcasing a strong team performance.
Who was the top scorer for Cuba in the match against Brazil?
Marlon Yant was the top scorer with 18 points, including 12 from attacks, two from blocks, and four from serves.
What is Cuba's current position in the global volleyball ranking?
Cuba is currently in 10th place with 249.66 points, closing in on Serbia, who has 253.22 points.