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Russia’s Mikhaylov topped the scores with 21 points while for Cuba Simon scored 17 points. Yury Berezhko was not of the party due to an injury on the first date of this Final Round.

With the local fans supporting the young Cubans’ at the first set they got a quick lead kept most of the time to obtain the first partial victory.

The second set start was a point-to-point fight until the Russians’ found their momentum to tie the match at 1-1 with outstanding blockings of Taras Khtey.

Same start and same ending for the third set with Russians’ blocking and serving doubling Cuba’s (12/6 & 7/3 respectively).

Russia aware that one more set would put it on semifinals relaxed and Cuba forced a tie breaker won after a very exciting and battled set by Russia.

Russia now waits for the second ranked team of Pool E to play one of the semifinals on Saturday, July 24th.