The result has pushed the Serbians to overcome France, their next opponents in Anaheim, and reach the ninth place in the standings with five wins (the same of eighth-placed the Netherlands) and 13 points (four behind the Dutch). Cuba continue threatened by relegation with just two wins, but the point earned against Serbia helped the Caribbean earn one spot, passing China and moving to 14th place.
Drazen Luburic and Miran Kujundžić had both major roles in the Serbian victory, with the 29-year-old opposite firing 18 points (15 kills, two aces, one block) and the 26-year-old outside hitter adding another 16 (13 kills, two aces, one block).
“I think we just believed until the end and that brought us a win today,” Luburic commented. “The Cubans played really well today, but they made some mistakes, as we did. I thought we blocked very well and we did a great job. It was difficult to beat the Cubans because they can jump so high, but we kept believing. This match was a first step for us to make it to the Finals, but we still have two more to go.”
