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The group stage of the Beach Volleyball World Championship in Adelaide 2025 has concluded, and the Cuban duo of Jorge Luis Alayo and Noslen Díaz are already aware of their opponents in the first round of the knockout stage: the Americans Miles Partain and Andy Benesh, one of the most tactical and challenging pairs on the world circuit.
In the analysis published by CubanSp1ke on the social network Facebook, there is no margin for error: sudden death begins, where a loss means saying goodbye to the World Cup, even though Alayo and Díaz have advanced as undefeated leaders of group F, repeating the performance they had achieved in the past World Cup in Mexico.
However, this new confrontation rekindles the ghosts of the playoffs, a stage that has historically been challenging for them.
A tough matchup: the United States, a historically complicated rival
The Americans may not arrive at their most competitive moment, but that doesn't make them any less dangerous. The American playing system—both in the gym and on the sand—has traditionally been a challenge for Cuba, and Partain/Benesh know well how to destabilize their opponents from the serve and with their tactics.
Nonetheless, the Cubans have an encouraging precedent: In the 2024 Paris Olympics, Díaz and Alayo defeated this same duo 2-0, coming from behind in both sets.
That background shows that they know how to outplay them and how to win against them, even though the pressure is greater now.
“Against the United States, you have to play carefully. They are pairs who do not allow mistakes,” warned CubanSp1ke, who is closely following the Cuban team.
A rival that also arrives with shadows
Partain and Benesh are not in their best phase. After a brilliant 2023, their performance has stagnated, and their best result this year has been a fifth place in Ostrava. Historically, the head-to-head between the two pairs favors the Americans: 3-1.
The wake is scheduled for this November 18 at 6:30 a.m. Cuba time, following a last-minute change by the organizers.
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