Havana, March 30 (JIT) -- Cubans Noslen Diaz and Jorge Luis Alayo advanced to the round of 16 of the World Beach Volleyball Pro Tour Challenge, Saquarema 2024, taking place in Brazil.

The West Indian duo dominated Ukrainians Sergiy Popov and Eduard Reznik by 2-1 sets (19-21, 21-17, 15-12), after falling in their first challenge of group B against locals Vinicius Freitas and Frank Heitor in two sets (18-21, 14-21).

Diaz and Alayo arrived in Saquarema with the silver medal obtained in Recife, venue of the previous challenge category tournament, which allowed them to climb to 26th place in the world ranking, qualifying for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Significant was their inclusion again among the 16, thanks to the reaction in the closing match of this first day, beating the Ukrainian duo in attack (36-26) and defense (34-28) and tying in blocks (5-5). The Europeans outscored the West Indians in service points (3-1) and committed fewer errors of their own (13-16).

The Europeans (ranked 31st) lost in two sets (18-21 and 19-21) against the renowned Austrian duo of Hörl and Horst, who dawned Monday at the 15th place in the ranking. However, they were also victims of the hosts Vinicius and Heitor, paradoxically in 83rd place.

The Brazilian duo also imposed their best game against our team with advantages in attack (19-17), blocking (5-3) and service (6-4). They also committed fewer errors (8-12).

"We made a lot of errors in receiving and did not use our serve well. We had very poor complex one, that is, the combination of receiving, passing and attacking," explained Artemiseño Diaz to the JIT publication.

His coach, Francisco Alvarez Cutiño, commented "in reality we did not play well, but we made our plan to face the Ukrainians and with determination the boys went out to give their all, but we must remain focused. All the opponents here are difficult because of their level".