Marlon Yant scored 21 points as the Caribbean team fought back from a set down to overcome the Netherlands.
The Cuban men`s national volleyball team can celebrate heading into the weekend, having secured their third consecutive comeback win during the second week of the Volleyball Nations League 2025 in Belgrade on Friday.
Playing for the third day in a row at the Belgrade Arena, the Cubans showed remarkable resilience, overcoming a first-set deficit to defeat the Netherlands 3-1 (21-25, 25-18, 25-21, 30-28). This victory mirrored their come-from-behind successes against Germany on Wednesday and Serbia on Thursday, marking their third straight such win in as many days.
With nine points collected this week alone, bringing their total to 12 (four wins, three losses), the Caribbean team now sits in fifth place in the VNL 2025 standings. The Dutch, who have won only one of their first seven matches in this tournament edition, are in 16th place with three points.
“It was very tough,” middle blocker David Fiel commented. “The first two matches were mentally and physically exhausting. But we came in today determined to win. The most important thing was getting the victory, regardless of how we did it. We have a very strong team, and everyone contributed, just as they did today.”
Cuba achieved the win in their characteristic style, overpowering their opponents at the net, leading the Netherlands in kills (64 to 57) and blocks (13 to six). They also had an edge from the service line with three aces compared to the Netherlands’ two. These advantages created the necessary buffer to offset their higher number of errors (27 to 21).
VNL 2025`s leading scorer, outside hitter Marlon Yant, was once again crucial for the Cubans, topping their score sheet with a match-high 21 points (20 kills, one block). Opposite Jose Masso (17 points), outside hitter Jose Gutierrez (15), and middle blocker Roamy Alonso (14) also delivered solid performances for the winning side.
For the Dutch team, opposite Silvester Meijs and outside hitter Tom Koops were their top scorers with 15 points each, while 34-year-old outside hitter Ramon Martinez-Gion contributed 13 points in his debut match for the national team.
“We are trying to battle for every point this week, and hopefully, some matches will go our way,” Martinez-Gion stated. “Today was very close, and we were a bit unfortunate not to force at least a fifth set. But we have more matches coming soon, and that is our focus.”
Earlier on Friday in Belgrade, Iran defeated Argentina 3-1 (25-21, 22-25, 25-22, 25-22). Saturday’s schedule in the Serbian capital includes Germany playing Iran at 16:30 local time (14:30 GMT), followed by Serbia battling Argentina at 20:00 (18:00 GMT).
Jasper Thornfield 
Oliver Wrenwick