Cuba and Brazil will battle for gold

Brazil stopped the Italians on their way to the final and will defend their title from Japan. Young team of Cuba overcame Serbia after thrilling tie-break.

 

Cuba won their game against Serbia and will fight for gold. Both teams were playing at the excellent level and the situation on the pool was changing like in a kaleidoscope. The first and fourth sets belonged to Serbia while Cuba managed to win second and third set. The most exciting part of the game was the third set when Serbia was close to the victory but in the end Wilfredo Leon and his teammates won 31-29. It was a great rivalry between experienced high-class Serbian star Ivan Miljkovic (scored 30 points) and young, 17-years-old Cuban Wilfredo Leon (23 points). Serbia was already leading in the tie-break 13-11 when Cuba woke up and once again managed to get back into the game.

Miljkovic who was very efficient during the whole game, lost his concentration and was stopped by Cubans. Guys of coach Orlando Blackwood were extremely happy because of this victory. They qualified to the final after the very difficult games against one of the best teams in the world like Bulgaria, Serbia and Brazil. What is more, Cuba already won over Brazil at this tournament and wants to repeat their brilliant result in the final. It was even announced that the Castro regime promised to let them play in Europe if the win the title. For sure it will be the extra motivation for the young, talented and brave players (Cuba is the youngest team at this WCH, the average age of the player is only 22!).

Serbia-Cuba 2-3 (25-22, 17-25, 29-31, 25-22, 14-16)

Team squads:

Serbia: Kovacevic (21), Janic (6), Stankovic (10), Grbic (5), Miljkovic (30), Podrascanin (7), Rosic (libero) and Petkovic, Terlic

Cuba: Leon (23), Leal (21), Camejo (11), Simon (17), Hierrezuelo (4), Hernandez (13), Gutierrez (libero) and Bell, Diaz

Team of coach Bernardo Rezende had to fight not only against Vermiglio and his teammates but also Italian fans who still didn’t forgive “canarinhos” their infamous defeat with Bulgaria. From the very beginning of the match it was clear that Brazil has something to prove and will do their best to win with the hosts of WCH. Italians are widely criticized for the rules of the tournament which allowed their national team taking a part in the final four after pretty easy path. Brazil seemed to be the only team which could stop the guys of coach Andrea Anastasi on their “highway to gold”. In the first set Brazil simply smashed the home side, allowing them to win only 15 points. In the second set another misfortune happened in Brazilian team. This time Bruno Rezende who played very well, got injured and had to leave the pool. He was trying to stay with his team, even with tears in his eyes but finally was replaced by Marlon. Italians made use of the problem of their rivals and won the set. However Brazil managed to overcome their problems soon after and won the match 3-1. “Canarinhos” will clash against sensational Cuba in the game for gold, while Italians will fight for the bronze medal with difficult competitor, Serbia.

Italy-Brazil 1-3 (15-25, 22-25, 25-23, 17-25)

Team squads:

Brazil: Bruno (2), Visotto (24), Murillo (10), Rodrigao (4), Lucas (7), Dante (16), Mario (libero) and Theo (3), Marlon (1), Bravo

Italy: Vermiglio (1), Mastrangelo (12), Parodi, Savani (9), Sala (1), Fei (20), Marra (libero) and Birarelli (6), Cernic (9), Travica (1), Lasko (2), Zaytsev

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