Cuba aims to reach finals in FIVB Volleyball World League

The Cuban Volleyball team aims to reach finals in the 2015 FIVB (International Volleyball Federation) Volleyball World League's Group 1 Final Round to be held in May.

"We have clear ambitions: to qualify for the finals of World League's second level and for the World Cup," said Rodolfo Sanchez, coach of Cuba's men team on April 20.

Cuban volleyball teams were among the best in the world for more than three decades, but today they going through a bad time due to the emigration of their leading figures.

"It's difficult but not impossible," said Sanchez after announcing the 12-player roster for the 2015 Volleyball World League.

The team will suffer the absence of three stars: setter Leandro Macias and middles David Fiel and Isbel Mesa, who requested to leave the national team.

It is believed they will follow the steps of other Cuban stars such as Osmany Juantorena, Robertlandy Simon, Wilfredo Leon, Yoandy Leal and Maikel Sanchez, who play in the main leagues in the world.

So far there is no formal pronunciation on the reasons of Macias, Fiel and Mesa to leave the team.

Sanchez also includes wing spiker Rolando Cepeda and diagonal Osniel Rendon as captains of the team, as well as Luis Javier Jimenez, Osmany Uriarte, Inovel Romero and Lazaro Fundora.

Middles Felix Champan, Livan Osoria and Dariel Albo will also be part of the team.

Setters Ricardo Calvo and Yosvany Gonzalez Nicolas as well as libero Yonder Garcia complete Cuba's men volleyball team.

Cuba is part of Group C of 2015 World League. They will debut against Canada on May 16 and 17 in Calgary.

According to Sanchez, besides their participation in 2015 World League, the Cuban team will also take part in NORCECA (North, Centrla America and Caribbean Volleyball Confederation) Champions Cup.

NORCECA tournament will be held in Detroit, U.S., on May 21-23. The winners will get tickets for FIVB World Cup to be held in Japan on Sept. 8-23. Endit