Olympic Countdown – Cuba complete unprecedented hat-trick

Lausanne, Switzerland, April 28, 2016 – The volleyball competitions of the 2000 Olympic Games, played according to some significant new rules, provided further heartbreak for Italy’s men but a triple crown for Cuba’s women.The libero was introduced for the first time in Sydney, while scoring was also changed: with only the fifth set played to 15 points and the first four sets played to 25 instead, points could now be scored throughout the match regardless of who was serving.The spotlight at these Games was always going to be on the Cuban women, the reigning world champions regarded as one of the most successful sporting teams in the world. Would they be capable of winning a third successive Olympic gold medal?They reached the final, but despite their impressive credentials it was not all smooth spiking. They were defeated by Russia in the preliminary round in an enthralling five-set match, and in the semifinal they only narrowly defeated Brazil in another marathon match.The final pitted them against the …

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