The Cuban volleyball team defeated Iran in 5 sets and assured to remain next year in the Volleyball Nations League (VNL).

Havana, July 10 (RHC) - The Cuban volleyball team defeated Iran in 5 sets and assured to remain next year in the Volleyball Nations League (VNL).

In a key match in the aspirations of Nicolás Vives' students, the Cubans came out ahead against the Iranians 25-22, then lost 28-26, took advantage by winning the third set 25-23, the Persians equalized the actions by dominating the fourth set 30-28, but the Cubans took a second wind and were categorical in the tie break, with a 15-10 victory.

The star Miguel Angel Lopez, star of the Brazilian League and baptized as the "Flying Cuban", and the left-handed opposite Jesus Herrera were the most outstanding figures in the Cuban triumph, with 27 and 28 points, respectively.

Marlon Yant also made a notable contribution, with 15 points coming from the bench.

Collectively, Cuba was better than Iran in attack (76-57), in blocking 11-10 and in service, with seven aces, for 3 of the Asians, although they committed no less than 30 errors in serving.

With this victory, the Cubans reached three wins in the match with 9 defeats (8 points), and remained in the tournament ahead of China, which will leave the VNL in the next version in 2024.

In other matches on Sunday, Slovenia defeated the Netherlands, Poland defeated Japan, the United States defeated Bulgaria, in all cases 3-0, and Olympic champion France defeated Germany 3-1.