Both coaches promised a great clash between Argentina and Cuba
Havana, Cuba, June 11, 2015 - The coaches of the Argentinean and Cuban teams attended a press conference ahead of the FIVB Volleyball World League Pool C matches between the two teams this weekend.
Argentina coach Julian Álvarez praised the Cuban players and said it was a challenge to play in Havana: "We were pretty good last week in Halifax. Substitution players worked very well and some players came strong off the bench to make important plays. We really expect a good series against Cuba; our previous matches back in Mendoza were very intense.”
Cuba Head Coach Rodolfo Sanchez expects more from his players this weekend: “We could have won atleast one match against Bulgaria, but there were too many mental mistakes. The players put themselves under too much pressure, because they want to look great in front of their fans. For example, we need more from Javier Jimenez. My boys are young and inexperienced, but they will improve as the tournament goes on. We know Argentina are a strong team, but so are we. Keep calm, is what I say to my players. That’s the key”.
Cuba and Argentina will meet for the sixteenth and seventeenth times in the World League. The Caribbean team has suffered only three defeats.
Both teams have already met twice in this year's edition of the competition. Argentina won the first match in straight sets, while Cuba won the second meeting in five sets. So far, that has been the only victory for Cuba in this year’s World League.
Argentina, on the other hand, have won two and lost two matches in this year's competition.
The first match between Argentina and Cuba will take place on Friday, June 12 at 20.40 local time. The venue is Ciudad Deportiva Coliseum, in Havana.