Germany still undefeated after winning against Cuba

Germany continued the successful run at the Olympic-qualification tournament in Berlin: The host beat Cuba in a thrilling fight with 3:2 (25-21, 25-17, 21-25, 17-25, 20-18) and is therefore the only team which counts two victories at the end of the second tournament day. Cuba missed three matchballs. It´s been the 28th FIVB-match against Cuba and the ninth win for Germany. The Germans now only need a 3-2 against the Czech Republic tomorrow to qualify for the Olympic games.
Georg Grozer topped scored with 35 points for Germany, Cuba´s Wilfredo Leon notched up 19 points.

4.550 spectators got to see two highly motivated teams right from the start of the match. After Cuba got a little advantage in the beginning of the first set Germany fought hard and took the first lead at 5-4. A precise reception and defense allowed Germany a strong and accurate attack. Even though Cuba tried to get back in the game, the vice world champion couldn´t bar the host team from pulling away and winning the set with 25-21.

Germany continued playing at its best. The team quickly took advance over Cuba again especially due to a brilliant series of services by Germanys Georg Grozer. Meanwhile the Cubans struggled with their defence which hampered the team from putting up a fight. Germany, still imposing with a tremendous team performance, extended the lead without any problems and closed the set with 25-17.

The third set turned out to be much more embattled than the first ones. Cuba, now obviously stronger than before, scored some important points and took the lead against Germany at 8-7. The Germans were giving everything to keep close to the Cubans, whose performance completely changed all of a sudden. Nevertheless Cuba got to keep their superiority and succeeded with 25-21.

Germany´s strong smashes and blocks could bring the team back into the match in the fourth set, though. Both Germany and Cuba fought for every ball, none of the teams got to take the lead. Finally it was Cuba, headed by a superb playing Leon, who made the important points and put Germany´s defence under pressure again. The Caribbean team pulled clear and draw leveled with 2-2 in sets.

The crucial tie-break was hard to beat for tension. The teams showed a duel on high level. After Germany was down with two points the host team got to equate to 6-6. From now on a neck-and-neck-race (9-9, 10-10, 11-11, 13-13, 14-14, 15-15, 16-16, 17-17, 18-18) developed. Finally it was an attack of top scorer Grozer which ended the match in favor of Germany.

Statements
German coach Vital Heynen: “I´m very happy about the success tonight. We played very well during the first set. In the end of set two you could see first changes in our game but in Cuba´s as well. They adapted themselves to our way of playing while we got some problems. In my opinion Cuba was the better team during set three to five but we win.”

German captain Björn Andrae: “I´m delighted. It was a tough game like we expected. We played splendid during the first two set. But Cuba came back while we lost our rhythm. Everything can happen in a tie-break but we proved strength of nerve. For us it´s the most important win in years.”

Cuba coach Orlando Samuels: “The German team proved they deserve to start at the Olympic Games. We had the same possibility but didn´t deploy it. It´s like four years ago when we couldn´t win the tie-break either. I´m still content about my team´s reaction after the 0-2 lag, we just didn´t play well enough in the final phase.”

Cuba captain Wilfredo Leon: „It was a long and very strong game on a high level, in the end it was just back luck. But I know that our team can learn by experience.”