S H O C K I N G!
No words could describe how shocked we are after finding out from a very reliable source that 4 players from the Cuban squad who won the silver medal at the 2010 World Championship have been dropped from the team for the 2011 World League which starts in less than 3 weeks!
This can’t be!
Best Blocker from the 2010 World Championship Robertlandy Simon, rising star Joandry Leal, setter Raydel Hierrezuelo Aguirre & Isbel Mesa.
So what happened?
Our source says that Simon asked for he needed more time to rest, Leal is struggling with his studies, Hierrezuelo is out of shape and we’re not quite sure on Mesa’s case.
In the absence of Simon, Wilfredo Leon has been appointed as the new captain.
There’s also a rumor circulating that Simon, Leal and possibly Hierrezuelo have received offers to play in the Italian League next season. If this is indeed true, then there’s a possibility that these 3 great athletes will find a way to leave Cuba aka DEFECT just like what Marshall, Dennis and 4 other Cuban players did in 2001.
In case they succeed with their plans to defect, then it’s going to be tough for these players to find a team since for sure the Cuban Federation will report it to the FIVB and to the Italian Federation and then they will get suspended (unless they get married later on just like what Aguero did and wait for a few years to become a legit player).
It’s going to be a tough journey for Simon and company if they are indeed planning on playing overseas.
Please don’t do it yet !
First of all, we hope this report is just rumor. Their absence from the team will put Cuba back to zero again knowing that they’ve been playing great volleyball and have started to resurrect their country’s glory in the world of volleyball it had in the 90s.
In our opinion, Cuba has what it takes to beat Brazil after their amazing performance at the 2010 World Champs.
We are crossing our fingers and we remain optimistic for the future of these athletes.
Side Dish: 14 players are scheduled to leave this Monday for Bulgaria namely: Outside Hitters: Leon Venero Wilfredo, Rolando Cepeda Abreu, Henry Bell and Dennys de Jesus Hernandez Setters: Yoandri Diaz, Lian Sem Estrada and Leandro Macias Opposites: Fernando Ramos and Livan Hernandez Osoria Middle Blockers: Osmany Camejo Durruthy, Dariel Register and Yasser Perdomo Liberos: Keibel Gutierrez and Yosniel Guillén
Stay tuned…
THOUGHTS?
(images: FIVB)
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