Havana Times

Cuba Blitzed by Brazil in Volleyball Finals

By Circles Robinson

Seventeen year old Wilfredo Leon led his team in scoring but also made several key errors.

HAVANA TIMES, Oct. 10 — Brazil won its third straight Men’s World Volleyball Championship on Sunday defeating Cuba in straight sets (25-22, 25-14, 25-22) in Rome, Italy.  Serbia defeated Italy 3-1 to take third place.

The young Cuban squad, with an average age of 22.5 years, had defeated Brazil 3-2 in the first round of competition but the tables completely turned in the finals.

Wilfredo Leon, 17, led Cuba with 15 points but made some costly errors during the match.  Leandro Vissotto was the top scorer, leading Brazil with 19 points.

Brazil is the second team to win three straight world championships.  The feat was first accomplished by Italy in 1990, 1994 and 1998.