Cuba completely dominated in attack, spiking as many as 55 points against only 42 for the reigning world champions. However, the Cubans also made abundant unforced errors that cost them 37 points, while the Italians committed only 19 of those. The European side also outperformed their rivals in serving with seven aces against three, and in blocking with nine kill blocks against six.
23-year-old outside hitter Alessandro Michieletto led the winners with 17 points to his name, including the elegant pipe, with which he closed the match in the fourth set. His tally featured two aces and one kill block. Opposite Kamil Rychlicki fired three aces and put up two kill blocks to finish with 16 points for Italy.
“It was a very difficult quarterfinal, because they can beat any team. We saw them against Poland, tiebreak with France, they beat Brazil in Rio de Janeiro, so they are a very strong team,” Michieletto told VBTV after the game. “So it was very difficult, but we played very strong in the first two sets, with incredible intensity. Then they played better, but we stayed in the match and we won the fourth set. The semifinal will be even more difficult than today, because we play France or Slovenia. But the VNL semifinals are very, very difficult. We know, because we have played them two times. So now it is time to relax and recharge our bodies…”
