THE SELECTION of Cuba will discuss the bronze medal against Costa Rica in the I Norceca Men’s Under-17 Championship of Veracruz 2023, which closes this Sunday at the Miguel Hidalgo gym in the town of Poza Rica.
In the semifinal, the Antilleans fell to the local team in four close sets (22-25, 28-26, 27-25 and 25-20), so the latter will compete for the title against Puerto Rico.
The Puerto Ricans advanced to the grand final, by beating the Costa Ricans (25-21, 25-19, 25-19), and together with the Mexicans confirmed their qualification for the 2024 world competition.
Cuba and Costa Rica will compete for the bronze medal and for the last place in the World Cup event, since according to FIVB regulations there are three that this tournament grants, Norceca corrected on its website.
In the semifinal match, those from the Greater Antilles lost despite leading the attack 52-48 and the block 13-12. However, they gave away 31 points due to their own errors compared to 28 by the Mexicans, who were much superior in points per service (11-3).
Mario Izquierdo, Cuban coach, considered that “there were more tactical errors. The team was very wrong in the approach we had to face Mexico, which knew how to take advantage of our weaknesses. “Now it’s time to fight for the bronze and the world berth, because there are only three places.”
For Cuba, the center back Julio Alberto Acosta was the most productive with 17 points (11 attacks, five blocks and one direct serve), and the corner players Byron Herrera (16) and Andy Marrero (14).
The Mexican opposite Ricardo González finished as the top scorer with 22 points, followed by Emi Yanixan Díaz (17) and Oskar González (15).
Denis Omar Rivera, coach of the home team, said that “it was a heart-stopping game. Mexico adjusted, pressured Cuba with the serve and played with their heart, which most characterized the team. The support from the public was spectacular, we got goosebumps, we are very grateful for that.
In other results on Saturday, Guatemala beat the Dominican Republic (23-25, 14-25, 27-25, 25-21, 15-9) and settled in fifth place after accumulating three wins and two losses. The Quisqueyans finished sixth (1-3).
Nicaragua defeated Suriname (25-12, 25-16, 25-12) and finished in seventh place (1-3). This last team and Honduras will face each other for the eighth place on Sunday.
