Cuban dream is fulfilled: the men’s volleyball national team of the Caribbean nation defeated Turkey in the final of the 2022 FIVB Challenger Cup and returned to the world volleyball elite after several years.
The Cuba National Team defeated Turkey 3-1 (25-17, 23-25, 25-20, 25-20) in the Challenger Cup 2022 final and qualified for the next Volleyball Nations League, the elite international tournament of this sport, for the first time in their history. In the event held in Seoul, South Korea, the Caribbean side only lost one set in their three matches (against Turkey in the duel that defined the VNL ticket) and confirmed the progress of volleyball that has been losing ground in the country for several years. Cuba did so without three pillars, Simón, Osoria (both due to Covid-19), Yant (injury), and Alonso in the first two matches. Miguel Ángel López carried out the offensive weight in the final with 20 points. Osniel Melgarejo served 4 aces.
Cuban success is a result of the insertion of players in numerous strong leagues in the past few years, as well as approaching those who at one point left the national team but showed a willingness to return after the country’s authorities changed the rigid course that didn’t allow its athletes to play for the national team following their departure from the country.
2022 FIVB Men’s Volleyball Challenger Cup – results
