Miguel Angel Lopez

Havana, December 8 (RHC) - Cuban Miguel Angel Lopez was the top scorer in the opening match of the current champion Sada Cruzeiro of Brazil in the Club Volleyball World Cup, played by six teams in the Brazilian city of Betim.

Lopez, MPV of the last Club World Cup and champion with Sada Cruzeiro, scored 15 points (13 attacks, one block and one ace) in Sada's 3-0 win over Brazilian club Voley Renata. The "flying Cuban" was seconded by the stellar Wallace (14).

The partials of the victory of the world champions were 25-20, 25-22, 25-22.

A third Brazilian team competing in the event, Itambé Minas, also got off on the right foot by defeating the Paykan Club of Iran in four sets, with 21 points from the 2010 world champion, Leandro Vissotto.

Cuban Luis Elián Estrada came off the bench and also stood out in the Minas victory, with 10 points.   Six clubs are competing in the competition, divided into two groups, in which 4 Cubans are included. The first two of each group will advance to the semifinals.

Most experts consider Perugia, with Leon and Italian passer Gianelli as spearheads, and Sada, with Cuban López and Wallace, as favorites.

This Thursday, on the second day, the Italian Trentino will play against the Iranian Paykan, while in the other key will be rivals Renata of Brazil and Perugia of Italy, where besides Leon - Polish nationalized, the Cubans Jesús Herrera and Julio César Cárdenas play.

Results
First day
Group A

Sada 3-0 (25-20, 25-22, 25-22) Volei Renata

Lopez (15), Wallace (14).

Pool B

Itambe Minas (BRA) 3-1 (22-25, 27-25, 27-25, 27-25, 25-18) to Paykan Club (Iran)

Vissoto (21), Matheus (16) Elian Estrada (10)

Pool A Points

Sada Cruzeiro (BRA) 3

Volei Renata (BRA) 0

Perugia (ITA) 0

Group B Points

Minas (BRA) 3

Paykan (IRAN) 0

Trentino (ITA) 0