The Cuban men's volleyball team has clinched a place in the 2025 Nations League final, aided by Bulgaria's defeat against Iran (0-3) on Sunday. Despite recently losing to China, this outcome paved the way for the Caribbean team to advance.
After suffering a setback against the Asian squad in a five-set match (20-25, 25-23, 15-25, 25-22, and 19-17) in Gdańsk, Poland, Cuba's ambitions were in jeopardy. They needed a specific combination of results to remain among the qualifiers. With Iran's victory, the Cuban side secured their spot in the final round, which will be held in China starting July 30, as reported by the pro-government site Cubadebate.
Brazil: The Team to Beat
Brazil's team dominated the qualifying phase with an impressive record of 11 wins in 12 matches, establishing themselves as the top contender for the title. Interestingly, their only loss came during the first week of competition against the team from the largest of the Antilles.
Meanwhile, Cuba finished sixth on the leaderboard, with six victories and an equal number of defeats. However, only Slovenia, which still needs to face Serbia, could potentially displace them in the standings.
Intense Battle for Final Spots
Bulgaria and Iran also concluded the phase with a 6-6 record but accumulated fewer points: the Cubans gathered 20 points, ahead of Iran's 19 and Bulgaria's 17.
The Nations League offers eight slots for the final round. However, with China securing an automatic spot as the host, only seven places are available for the remaining teams.
Cuba's Historic Comeback
This marks the first time Cuba will participate in a Nations League final since the format was introduced in 2018, replacing the now-defunct World League. The Caribbean team previously achieved victory in the World League back in 1998.
Understanding the Nations League Final
How did Cuba secure their place in the Nations League final?
Cuba secured their place thanks to Iran's defeat of Bulgaria, which allowed them to qualify despite their recent loss to China.
When and where will the Nations League final take place?
The Nations League final is set to begin on July 30 in China.
Which team is considered the favorite for the Nations League title?
Brazil is seen as the favorite, having dominated the qualifying phase with 11 wins out of 12 matches.