Winnipeg, Canada, September 14, 2005.- Cuba defeated Canada in consecutive sets and will play against USA for the gold medal at the Norceca Men’s Continental Championships and also for the ticket to the Grand Champions Cup in Japan next November.

Raidel Poey once again was the top Cuban force with 16 points in the victory by score of 25-20, 25-20, 25-22. The best scorer for Canada was Paul Duerden with 12 points.

It is no surprise that this contest was going to be a close one. At the first technical time out Cuba was up by one 8-7. Cuba was the first to move away opening a 12-9 lead and remained on top 16-12 at the second technical time out. Canada would come with in two, but Cuba quickly came back forcing a Canadian time out up 20-16. That’s as close as Canada would get in the first set losing 20-25.

Canada took a quick 2-0 lead in set two but it was quickly dissolved as Cuba tied it up at 4-4. Canada still held the advantage and led 8-7 at the first technical time out. At 11-11 Cuba made their move taking a 12-11 lead and held on to lead 16-15 at the second technical time out. Tough serves put Cuba up by four and ended by five.

Canada again took an early 4-2 lead, but this time they held on to lead 8-5 at the first technical time out. Great defense would add another to Canada’s tally forcing a Cuban time out leading 12-8. Cuba would fight their way back into the game to tie it at 14-14 and the side out war began.

At the second technical time out, Cuba had taken over the lead 16-15 but Canada immediately answered to go up 18-17. Cuba answered right back to go up 20-19 and added another to force a Canadian time out leading 22-20. The lead would hold and Cuba would take set three 25-22.