Cuba missed a golden opportunity on Wednesday to keep their Olympic dreams alive in the men's volleyball program for the Paris 2024 Games, falling 2-3 to Serbia in the third and final week of the Volleyball Nations League.
After winning the first two sets and thrilling their fans, the Cuban team completely collapsed, allowing the Balkans to gain bulletproof confidence and complete a historic comeback with scores of 22-25, 21-25, 25-16, 25-21, and 15-12.
Undoubtedly, the result is a cold shower for the squad led by coach Jesús Cruz, as the Serbians, direct rivals in the battle for the last Olympic spot, climbed to ninth place in the world rankings with 256.50 points, while the Cubans dropped to 12th place with 245.69 points.
In the crucial match, both teams showed parity in attack (52-52). Cuba excelled at the net (10-6) but lagged in service (3-9). However, the real difference lay in unforced errors (41-34), a persistent weakness for the island's team throughout the competition.
Individually, the losing side celebrated the efforts of Miguel Ángel López with 21 points, Marlon Yant (16), and Osniel Mergarejo (9), while the winners cheered Drazen Luburic (21) and Miran Kujundzic (15).
Thus, Cuba's chances now rest on securing positive outcomes in their matches against Slovenia, Bulgaria, and Poland, although they are already dependent on Serbia's results in their final games.
So far, the teams that have secured their spots for Paris 2024 include France (as host), Germany, Brazil, Japan, the United States, Poland, and Canada. The remaining spots will be determined by the universal ranking.
Cuba's Olympic Volleyball Chances
Considering the recent defeat, here are some key questions and answers about Cuba's prospects for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
What were the scores in Cuba's match against Serbia?
The scores were 22-25, 21-25, 25-16, 25-21, and 15-12 in favor of Serbia.
Who were the standout players for Cuba and Serbia?
For Cuba, Miguel Ángel López scored 21 points, Marlon Yant had 16, and Osniel Mergarejo added 9 points. Serbia's notable players were Drazen Luburic with 21 points and Miran Kujundzic with 15 points.
What are Cuba's chances of qualifying for the Paris 2024 Olympics?
Cuba's chances now depend on securing positive results in their matches against Slovenia, Bulgaria, and Poland, and also on the outcomes of Serbia's remaining games.