Cuba win to put themselves in qualification shake-up
Cuban captain Yumilka Ruiz
Poland
vs
Cuba
0
-
3
November 12, Nagoya: Cuba left themselves sweating on the rest of the day's results after beating Poland in straight sets.
The Cubans rounded off Pool E with a perfect second round record after labouring to a 25-18, 28-26, 25-23 victory, but must hope other results in the group go their way to have any chance of making the semi-finals.
First round losses to Serbia and Montenegro and Italy may have proved too costly for Felipe Calderon's side, but the win over Poland has at least assured their place among the top eight teams in Osaka next week.
Poland, on the other hand, head home knowing their loss to Turkey the previous day had effectively ended their chances of survival.
But the Poles can also leave knowing they made a strong Cuban team work hard for their victory, playing with a smile on their faces with the pressure on them lifted.
Coach Ireneusz Klos admitted after the Turkey match that his side have "psychological problems", and also conceded he faces an uncertain future when he returns to his home country.
But Poland made a bright start to the match, with Sylwia Pycia and Kamila Fratczak looking lively early on.
Unfortunately for the Poles, however, Cuba looked in the mood as well.
Nancy Carrillo imposed herself at the net, and Yanelis Santos was looking busy all over the court, popping up to fire in several big spikes.
Liana Mesa was also putting the Cuban attack on the front foot with a run of huge jump serves, which the Poles were having trouble dealing with.
Carrillo had previously stated that Cuban serves were the best in the world, and it was hard to disagree with her judgement as Mesa launched them from the baseline.
Cuba went into the second TTO with a 16-11 advantage, and although Pycia scored a quickfire double before setter Izabela Belcik landed an ace, the Caribbeans soon had set point.
As the ball came back from another Mesa bullet serve, Carrillo rose at the net to make sure its stayed in Polish territory as Cuba took the first set 25-18.
Rosir Calderon maintained the tempo at the start of the second, blasting a mammoth spike down Pycia's throat at the net.
But Poland recovered to go into the first TTO 6-3 ahead, as they looked to get back into the match as quickly as possible.
Anna Podolec and Maria Liktoras added more as the Poles switched up a gear and found a fluidity that had evaded them in their previous matches.
Cuba, however, had lost their rhythm, despite the furious utterances of coach Calderon as he stalked the touchline.
Captain Yumilka Ruiz tried to right the ship as she attacked on the right, but it was Poland who led at the second TTO 16-11.
But Ruiz would not take no for an answer.
The captain led the fightback as Cuba drew nearer, and Poland coach Klos called a time-out as the deficit was reduced to just one point at 16-15.
Carrillo then drew the teams level with an ace, but the Europeans were determined not to let their good work go to waste.
Podolec and Liktoras drew Poland closer, although Calderon's attacks from the left were keeping Cuba in touch.
It was the Cubans who reached set point first at 24-23, but before long the tables had again been turned.
Polish captain Joanna Mirek served for the set as the Europeans regained the advantage, but again the chance to apply the killer touch was passed up.
Cuba squandered another set point, before a long drive from Podolec finally gave the Caribbeans a two set lead.
The missed opportunity was a major blow for a Polish team who had battled hard to get their noses in front, and their troubles worsened as Cuba took control of the third set at 10-6.
Santos and Ruiz were trying to make sure the Cubans didn't let their concentration slip again, but Poland picked themselves up to edge ahead at 14-13.
The Poles were playing with a smile on their faces again as they took a slender 20-19 lead close to the end of the set.
Katarzyna Skowronska-Dolata added another, but Cuba were looking to finish the match.
Ruiz gave Cuba match point, before Santos smashed the ball home and left them waiting to learn their future.
