Cuba set up a triple block on Canada's John Gordon Perrin
Havana, Cuba, June 20, 2015 – Cuba bounced back to get a thrilling 3-2 (17-25, 20-25, 25-23, 25-19, 15-12) victory over Canada on Saturday to end the series of matches in Pool C of the FIVB Volleyball World League, played in the Ciudad Deportiva Coliseum.
Cuba coach Rodolfo Sanchez: “It’s an important victory because we won coming from behind in the score. My players never surrender because they wanted to leave Havana with a triumph. Winning over such a tough rival like Canada was also inspiring.”
Cuba captain Rolando Cepeda: “It was a great game. I tried to lift everyone up that is why I screamed so much. Canada gives us trouble every time we played against each other, but it was good to say goodbye to our fans with a victory.
“Our attitude in this match made the difference tonight. We really had courage to overcome difficulty and get victory. We are going to Bulgaria with a winning mentality, and our minds are set on the Pan American Games in Toronto.”
Canada coach Glenn Hoag: “Our attack got less effective and Cuba’s block improved heavily. We needed to stress more but the match slipped through our fingers.”
Canada captain Frederic Winters: “I am frustrated because of the way we lost. If we play this way against Argentina next week, we will not qualify to Bulgaria for the Final Four. I am so disappointed with the performance of some players tonight. We really have to learn from our mistakes.”