The Cuban blind baseball team has ended the medal drought for Cuban baseball players across all categories by defeating Italy 2-1 to claim the title at the second WBSC International Blind Baseball Cup held in London, UK, from September 27 to 29.
The final game was tied at one run each until the fourth inning when the Cuban team scored the winning run with two consecutive hits, including a grounder by Maikel Barroso.
During the group stage, Cuba and Italy had previously tied at six runs each, setting the stage for a highly anticipated final to determine the superior team. Italy was the reigning world champion at the time.
Standout Performance in Group Stage
Led by Roberto Carmona, the Cuban team showcased an impressive performance at London's Farnham Park, securing a tie with Italy and achieving three victories against the Netherlands (8-1), China (8-0), and the host team, Great Britain (5-0).
On Saturday morning, Pakistan secured the bronze medal by defeating the British team 6-0, living up to their favorite status.
Pre-Tournament Predictions
Before the tournament began, Italian manager Mauro Corazza had identified Cuba as a formidable opponent. "Many teams have improved since 2022. I believe our strongest rival will be Cuba," he told wbsc.org, highlighting the high level of competition.
Cuba's Debut in Blind Baseball Events
This event marked Cuba’s first appearance in the WBSC International Blind Baseball Cup, along with China, Pakistan, and Hungary.
Cuban team captain Maikel Merino received the national flag from José Antonio Miranda, director of High Performance at the National Institute of Sports, Physical Education, and Recreation (INDER), on September 23.
The players had been training since September 19 at the Changa Mederos Stadium in Havana. "Our goal is to compete for the gold medal in Sunday’s final," Merino told the digital site JIT.
Delegation head Enrique Cepeda emphasized that their preparation focused on defense: "We believe that defense can make the difference. Nonetheless, we have a very good hitting lineup."