If it was a quartet of blocks that brought Cuba back into the match, Brazil reciprocated in the tie-breaker to win the pulsating final 3-2 and defend their under-21 Volleyball World Championship crown at Balewadi on Sunday.

Leading the fourth game 20-18, Brazil seemed all set to wrap it up when a flurry of four consecutive blocks by the Cubans turned the tables as the match went into the tie-breaker. However, for the second day on the trot, the Brazilians rose to the occasion — in this case, literally — coming up with four blocks to stretch the lead to 10-4 before winning it 15-9.

The game was off to a fiery start with each point being keenly contested. Brazil’s Franco was dominating the attacking for his team while Rolando Cepeda was pouring in the smashes for Cuba. The first game went down to the wire with Brazil winning it 30-28. They were off to a good start in the second as well, winning the first four points. However, they lost their way towards the middle and Cuba, riding on Leon Venero’s smashes, rallied to win the game 25-21 and draw parity.

In the third game, Brazil again took an early lead and didn’t blow it away this time, winning 25-23. Cuba bounced back and won the fourth 25-23, but Brazil stamped their class in the end.

India go down tamely

In the third place playoff, the Indians looked tired after Saturday’s marathon encounter and went down tamely to a resurgent Argentina in straight games. In what was a replay of their previous encounter in the group stages, India seemed out of sorts right from the start. They lost the match 25-19, 25-16 and 25-22. Coach MH Kumara admitted that the team hadn’t gotten over heartbreaking loss against Brazil. “None of our main players clicked today as they were too exhausted. Our second six showed some good fight towards the end,” he said, adding that he was thrilled with the team’s performance in the tournament.

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