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In a captivating Men’s Volleyball Nations League group phase encounter on June 12th, Cuba delivered a stunning upset, defeating Brazil in a dramatic five-set marathon. The final score of 2:3 (25:27, 24:26, 25:21, 25:20, 13:15) reflects the fierce battle that unfolded, with Cuba ultimately emerging victorious from a nail-biting deciding set.
Team Statistics
| Statistic | Brazil | Cuba |
|---|---|---|
| Attack | 61 | 68 |
| Block | 10 | 10 |
| Serve | 7 | 3 |
| Opponent Error | 34 | 28 |
| Total Points | 112 | 109 |
| Dig | 70 | 62 |
| Reception | 85 | 95 |
| Set | 122 | 123 |
The match began with intense exchanges, as both teams vied for early control. Cuba showcased remarkable resilience, narrowly clinching the first two sets with identical 27-25 and 26-24 scores, putting immense pressure on the Brazilian squad. However, Brazil, known for its fighting spirit, refused to surrender. They rallied back, winning the third and fourth sets convincingly with 25-21 and 25-20, respectively, forcing the match into a decisive fifth set.
Brazil Player Statistics
| Player No | Player Name | Position | Total ABS | Attack Points | Block Points | Serve Points | Errors | Efficiency % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28 | Darlan | O | 28 | 21 | 0 | 2 | 9 | 52 |
| 28 | Honorato | OH | 14 | 12 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| 11 | Judson | MB | 14 | 11 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 92 |
| 23 | Flavio (C) | MB | 11 | 7 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 12 |
| 6 | Adriano | OH | 9 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 20 |
The tension was palpable in the final set. Both teams exchanged blows, but Cuba maintained a slight edge, eventually securing the victory with a 15-13 finish. The win marked a significant achievement for Cuba, demonstrating their growing prowess in the tournament.
Cuba Player Statistics
| Player No | Player Name | Position | Total ABS | Attack Points | Block Points | Serve Points | Errors | Efficiency % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23 | Yant | OH | 23 | 23 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 63 |
| 1 | Masso | O | 18 | 16 | 2 | 0 | 9 | 43 |
| 18 | Lopez (C) | OH | 18 | 14 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| 5 | Concepcion | MB | 10 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 35 |
| 21 | Alonso | MB | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | -81 |
Key to Cuba’s success was the exceptional performance of Yant, who led all scorers with 23 points. Masso also contributed significantly with 16 attack points. For Brazil, Darlan was a standout, registering an impressive 21 attack points and a total of 28 points, showcasing his offensive power. Despite Brazil’s higher total points (112 vs 109), Cuba’s superior attack points (68 vs 61) and efficient reception (95 vs 85) proved crucial in the tightly contested match.
Sources: VolleyballWorld VolleyballWorld
