Cuba Stumbled at World Volleyball League Opening

Seoul, May 28. -South Korea defeated Cuba in a spectacular game 3-0 in the opening day of the World Volleyball League 2011, in the city of Swon of 11 million inhabitants, 44 kilometers (27.5 miles) south of the capital.

Playing in Group D, the young Cuban team that had finished second in last year's World Championship, fell 20-25, 27-29, 18-25 in a match in which none of its figures, including their captain and leading player Wilfredo Leon contributed much to the victory.

The Cuban team was very ineffective and made many mistakes that permitted the South Korean take the lead and overwhelmed them throughout the game.

After the first two sets, the pupils of Ki-Won Park vigorously opened the third and final set, and even took a 9-0 lead before the Cubans scored their first point.

This opening win is very important for the host team that beat a Cuban team for the first in 26 matches.

The best Cuban player was southpaw Fernando Hernandez who scored 20 points, while South Korean Jeon Kwang-In (20 points), Choi Hong-Suk and Shin Yung-Suk, both with 15 points, were the most outstanding players for the home team. (Prensa Latina)

In this pool, Italy beat France 3-0 (25-14, 25-20, 25-12).

Yesterday's results:

Pool A (Lodz,Polonia) POL-USA (3-0): (25-20, 25-22, 25-19 )

Pool B (Ufa, Rusia) : RUS-JAP (3-0): (25-22, 25-20, 25-18),

Pool D (Lyon, Francia) ITA-FRA (3-0) (25-14, 25-20, 25-12)