November 2

Cuba vs Tunisia

Cuba thrashed Tunisia in just 47 minutes! Yumilka Ruiz emerged as the top scorer among the girls , earning 13 points. The scores: 25-13, 25-8, 25-8 !

Match Statistics (FIVB)

Comments on the match...

BELL, Regla (Captain):

"We didn't have any idea of the exact level of the Tunisian team from the world standard. We just planned to show what we are. We are also very impressed with the way the Tunisian team played. We think the Tunisian team would grow to become a great team in the future."

PERDOMO, Antonio (CUB) Head Coach:

Q: How was the condition and concentration of the players?
A:"The team members' condition and concentration were pretty good.  I believe that the Tunisian team must have been very nervous playing this game. This is a very long tournament and each match is very important. We cannot make little of each match and in this way we have to play well."

Q: Future goals of your team in the future?
A: "We came here to compete not for sightseeing or taking a walk. Our objective is to qualify for the Olympics. According to the result of the world championship, the first ranking teams are China, Brazil, Cuba and Russia. The second group is Korea, Italy, Croatia and Japan. However if the teams did their best and have good tactics, strategies and physical strength, both groups will have the chance to qualify for the Sydney Olympics. To qualify, we will do our best to compete in the remaining games."

Q: What is your opinion on Mirka Francia Vasconcelo(#16)? How do you evaluate her, and how would she grow as a player in the future?
A: "Indeed this is her first time playing in a regular position. She did play in the World Championship and Grand Prix last year, although she was not a regular member. She is playing as a center player. We are looking forward to her playing very well. She has good points in terms of techniques and skills. She is only lacking in experience. "

November 3

Cuba vs China

In this ultra-tense match, Cuba beat China 3 set to 1. In the first set, Cuba quickly caught up with China at the 20th point to win 27-25. The second set : 25-18. They lost the third set with a 21-25. In the last set, they started off well with a 5-1 lead. China eventually caught up to 8-8. It was ding-dong later on, but Cuba managed a 25-21 win. 

The match lasted for an hour and a half. Mirka Francia was the top scorer, bringing 17 points for the team. Costa was awarded Player of the Match.

Match Statistics (FIVB)

Comments on the match.

Regla BELL (Captain):

"The level of both teams is more or less the same, we were fortunate to win the game today."
Q: What are your comments on tomorrow's match against the Brazilians?
A: "We were defeated by the Brazilians in the World Grand Prix this year. We will do our best to win."

Antonio PERDOMO (CUB) Head Coach:

"It was a difficult match which required high skills from both teams. Both of the teams played very well, although we happened to win the match today."

Cuba vs Brazil

Initially, I thought Brazil might beat the Cubans once again just as in the Grand Prix. I certainly thought wrong as the Cubans won the match 3 sets to none!! In the first set, Cuba missed the chance to finish off the set early (from 24-21) and had to drag it on till 29-27. The second set was ding-dong but the Cubans picked up around the twentieth point to win 25-21. In the third set however, Cuba dominated and went on to thrash the Brazilian girls 25-14. Regla Bell was chosen as the Most Impressive Player of the match and was the top scorer among the girls. Mirka is once again the best blocker among them. The two setters, Aguero and Costa, was said to have done an amazing job.

Match Statistics (FIVB)

Comments on the match

Regla BELL  (Captain):

"We had expected today's game to be a very hard one and we did our best to win the game. When we came in to the court, we knew we must not lose this match in term of mental toughness. We are very happy to win."

Antonio PERDOMO (CUB) Head Coach:

"I think both teams played very well. Either team could have won the first set. Fortunately we won the match. The mistakes they made in the third set led us to victory. This match is very important for us and we will do our best against all the remaining teams."

Cuba vs Croatia

The Cubans beat the Croatians 25-20, 25-19, 21-25, 28-26. 

Match Statistics (FIVB)

Cuba vs Peru

The Caribbean girls won the match in straight sets but had a bit of trouble in the second set. They were lagging 22-20 to the Peruvians but ,luckily, managed to win 25-23 thanks to Ruiz. Fernandez was back in action and was voted the Most Impressive Player of the match. Aguero is scoring more points with her excellent jump serve. The final score was 25-19, 25-23, 25-18.

Match Statistics (FIVB)

Cuba vs Korea

Although the Cubans won the Koreans, it was a tough match for them. They lost the first set and dragged the second to 35-33. During the second set, there was a dispute between the Koreans and the referee. They accused one of the Cubans of touching the net but the referees decided against it. The Cubans regained confidence after winning and carried on to 25-19, 25-15. Once again, Ana Fernandez was the Most Impressive Player and Mirka Francia, the top scorer.

Match Statistics (FIVB)

Cuba vs Argentina

The Cubans quite thrashed the Argentinians with the scores 25-14, 25-18, 25-14. Young Yumilka Ruiz was the top scorer. 

Match Description (FIVB)

Cuba vs USA

Cuba did not perform very well and lost a set to the Americans. Even the second set was very close (26-24). Thankfully, they won in the end. The scores were 25-12, 26-24, 21-25 and 25-13. The top scorer was Mirka Francia with 17 points. Aguero served a whopping 6 points.

Match Statistics (FIVB)

Cuba vs Japan

Japan lost to the Cubans 3 sets to none. The score: 25-23,25-14, 25-17. Ana Fernandez was the top scorer with 14 points. She was a very consistent spiker on that day, managing to score 14 out of 15 attempts. 

Match Statistics (FIVB)

Cuba vs Italy

The Cubans lost a set to the Italians but won the match. They lost concentration in the third set losing 17-25. To make amends, they won the fourth 25-17. The top scorer was Aguero with 19 points. 

Match Statistics (FIVB)

Cuba vs Russia

This was the gold-medal match, probably the most important of all matches in the World Cup '99. Both Cuba and Russia had the same amount of wins and this match determined the champions. It was a bad day for the Russians as the Cubans blew in their faces a humiliating 3-0 loss. In the first two sets, Cuba led all the way with the Russians playing catch-up. In just 20 and 19 minutes respectively, Cuba won 25-19,25-15. In the third set, Russia recovered slightly and was in the lead for a short while. But, Cuba regained their strength, and after tying at 10-10, they got in front and won 25-19 in just 17 minutes !!! The match lasted for only 56 minutes. Aguero was the top scorer and Regla Bell, the Most Impressive Player. 

Comments on the match

Antonio PERDOMO(Head Coach):

Q: What's your comment on the match?
A: "It was a long tournament. We kept playing Cuban style volleyball to the final."


Regla BELL (Captain):

Q: Any comment?
A: "The Russian team is at a high level. We started in a good rhythm and kept it until we won the final. I'm happy to win. Though some powerful players didn't join our team in this tournament, we proved that our team remained strong."

Yumilka RUIZ (#1):

"I'm very proud that I, in place of Luis and Torres, powerful attackers, contributed to the victory."

Taimarys AGUERO (#12):

"As champions, we'll go on fighting with pride."

Match Statistics (FIVB)