During the initial matches of Group 2 of the Volleyball World League, the Cuban team demonstrated efforts to improve their game.
Although the third match against Finland saw the island lose 3-1 (25-18, 15-25, 25-23, 25-23), the scores indicate that had the Cuban team not committed so many mistakes – just as was the case in the previous two matches – they could have come away with a win.
The Caribbean squad racked up too many faults (30 compared to 24 by the winning team) against a team which in ten of its sixteen appearances at the European Championship – which sees the participation of 16 or more teams – has finished in the top six. Finland’s star player, Olli-Pekka Ojansivo (28 years old and 1.97 meters tall), with extensive experience in the Greek, French, Turkish, Romanian and Russian leagues, scored 16 points against Cuba on June 19.
Despite this setback, the Cubans have accumulated the same number of wins and losses (2-1) as the Japanese, currently first place in the series taking place in Osaka, with a total of seven points compared to five for the Finish team. Thanks to their two previous victories, the Cubans have accumulated four points. A win of 3-0 or 3-1 provides three points; while a score of 3-2 provides two points to the winner and one to the losing team.
A special mention should be made for middle blocker Luis Tomás Sosa, who provided a stable performance in the three matches. He scored a dozen or more points in the three encounters (12 against South Korea, 16 against Japan and 13 against Finland).
Hopes remain for a more cohesive team. Cepeda, along with substitutes Jiménez and Osmany Uriarte (or Abrahan Alfonso) must provide a stronger attack. Liván Osoria, also providing few points, must improve on a par, or at least close, with his teammate Sosa, in order that the team, guided by setter Ricardo Calvo (1.93m), can raise its game.
