Robertlandy Simón

Havana, August 19 (RHC)-- Stars Robertlandy Simón and Miguel Angel López lead the Cuban volleyball team to the World Championship in Slovenia-Poland, announced Friday the DT of the squad Nicolás Vives.

Simón is "fully recovered" from an injury he suffered in one of the fingers of his right hand (the attacking hand) during a training session in Havana that prevented him from participating in the Pan American Cup in Canada, where the team was crowned undefeated champion, team doctor Ramsés Raymond told Radio Habana Cuba.

DT Vives explained that they chose the players who are in the best shape and was optimistic about the World Cup, scheduled for August 26 to September 11.

"We are going to put up a fight in every game. We expect a good performance," said Vives, who led the team to victories in the last three tournaments they have played, including the World Challenger in South Korea, which gave them a ticket to the next edition of the Nations League (VNL).

In addition to Simon and Lopez, the group of 14 players includes the auxiliary Osniel Mergarejo (MVP of the Pan American Cup) and the left-handed Jesus Herrera (best opposite).

Returning to the national team is center back Javier Concepcion, who was unable to travel to Canada due to Covid-19, while the big absentee will be center back Roamy Alonso, also injured in the patellar tendon of one of his legs.

After their return from the Pan American Cup, the national team kept training one session a day at the National Volleyball School and is scheduled to leave for the World Championship next Monday via Paris.

According to DT Vives, upon arrival in Slovenia it is in the plans to play a preparation match with the Slovenian national team.

In the previous World Cup (2018), the Cuban squad finished in 17th place with a balance of one victory - against Puerto Rico - and four losses.

Cuba integrates a very difficult group in the World Cup composed also by Japan, Qatar and Brazil, the latter its first opponent on Friday 26.

                       Cuban team to the World Cup.

Centerbacks: Robertlandy Simón

                    Liván Osoria

                    Javier Concepción

Assistants: Miguel Angel López

                    Osniel Mergarejo

                    Marlon Yant

                    José Miguel Gutiérrez

Opposites: Jesús Herrera

                   Miguel David Gutierrez

                   Michael "el Ruso" Sánchez

Passers: Adrián Goide

                    Liván Taboada

Liberos: Yonder García

                 Alain Gorguet (debutant with the Cuban national team)

Coach: Nicolás Vives.