|
GUADALAJARA, Mexico, April 11,
2010b- The Cuban team won today against USA 3-0
(25-16, 25-18 and 25-22) and conquered the gold
medal at the NORCECA Continental Boys Sub 19
Volleyball Championship.
Being the only team to remain
undefeated in this championship, Cuba secured
their ticket for the Singapore 2010 Youth
Olympic Games and one of the two tickets for the
2011 World Championship in the discipline.
The islanders dominated the match
from start to end, even though they missed
several times with their powerful serve, and it
turned out to be an easier victory than the
preliminary match in group A, when the Cubans
won 27-25, 25-23 and 25-20.
Nonetheless, we have to recognize
the reaction from the USA team in the third set
when they won the second technical time and
didn’t give up (20-20) until Leon and his team
got a second wind and won the match in a stadium
with an audience of 3,200.
Lead by the “Lion King”, the
nickname given by the local press to Wilfredo
Leon, Cuba dazzled from the time they debuted
thanks to their physical strength, their lethal
attack and serve as well as the effectiveness of
their blockage.
The highest number of points was
scored by Leon, with 22 points, followed by
Danger Quintana and Lazaro Fundora, both with 8,
while from the opponents, Aaron Russell
contributed 9 points.
Rodolfo Sanchez, Technical
Director for the champions, expressed “I’m very
happy because just as I had announced at the
beginning of this tournament, the team wasn’t
just Leon. He has been vital, the soul of the
ensemble, but his teammates have complemented
him and have also given their best. We
fulfilled our dream.”
Leon pointed out that the
“victory wasn’t just for me. All my teammates
have contributed. I am so happy to partake in
Cuban volleyball with this very talented group.”
Alexis Lamadrid, Team Captain for
Cuba, congratulated the northern team for their
resilience and “the beautiful spectacle that
they helped create.”
Gary Sato, Technical Director for
the US, acknowledged “we changed our tactical
plan in playing against Cuba. We congratulated
them for their performance and wish for them to
win at the Singapore Youth Olympics.”
Micah Christenson, Team Captain
for the US, added “it didn’t quite work out as
we had planned but we really respect Cuba for
their excellent game.”
|
.jpg)