Qualification for the 2024 Olympic Games. Men

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Group A

October 1 (Sunday). First round

Cuba - Ukraine - 3:0 (25:16, 25:19, 25:18)

Starting line-up of the national team of Ukraine: Plotnytskyi (scored 5 points), Synytsia (1), Semeniuk (6), Shchurov (3), Kovalov (3), Tupchii (11), Boiko (l), Kanaiev (l). Substitutes: Poluian (3), Yevstratov (1), Kucher (1).

Ukrainian volleyball players began their journey in the qualifying tournament for the Olympic Games 2024 with a match against the Cuban national team.

Our opponent immediately demonstrated a strong and athletic game (3:7), and due to fast and powerful attacks had a significant advantage (5:10). The "blue-yellows" serve "didn't work" and the opponent showed a better game on the block - 16:25.

The second set started with a series of aces from Marlon Yount (0:3). The Ukrainians had several successful and productive rallies, but they still failed to level the double advantage of the Cubans (6:12). Ugis Krastins repeatedly emphasized during the time-outs that it is necessary to take risks and serve aggressively. Unfortunately, his wards did not always manage to follow the coach's instructions. In the end, this set ended in favor of Cuba as well - 19:25.

The third set was also played according to the scenario of the Cubans (1:4 - 3:10). Jesus Herreira and his teammates had absolutely everything. On the other hand, our team's situation did not improve even after a number of substitutions (9:17). David Gutierrez put the full stop in the third and last set with an attack - 18:25 and 0:3 in favor of the Cuban national team.

Tomorrow, October 2, at 02:30 Kyiv time, the Ukrainians will face the national team of Iran.