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The duo formed by Damián Gómez and Eblis Veranes claimed the silver medal in the final of the Norceca Tour for beach volleyball, confirming their rise as the second team from Cuba and ending the international season on a high note in the sands of Juan Dolió, Dominican Republic.
The silver medal was secured after winning the previous day against the pair from El Salvador, an outcome that automatically guaranteed the podium, according to the specialized page CubanSp1ke.
In the final, the Cubans faced the only team that managed to surpass them during the tournament: the Canadians Shackter and Pickett, who took home the gold after a very close match.
A match decided by details and experience
In the first set, Gómez and Veranes dominated for most of the period, even going up 13-8, but critical errors and inaccuracies cost them the set, allowing the Canadian team to come back and win 21-18. The lack of competitive continuity at that level ultimately took its toll in the key moments.
The second set followed a similar script. The Cuban pair once again took the lead, this time 19-17, but Canada responded with three consecutive points. The Cubans managed to equalize at 20-20, but the greater experience and composure of the North Americans tipped the balance with a decisive 22-20.
Positive balance of a remarkable season
With this result, the beach volleyball season for Cuba comes to an end, leaving a highly positive balance. The team secured several medals in the Norceca circuit, as well as notable results in world competitions and in the Russian league.
Particular attention should be paid to the growth of Gómez and Veranes, regarded as the main support for the star duo of Noslen Díaz and Jorge Alayo, as stated in the mentioned Facebook post. Their evolution throughout the year confirms that they have the potential to take on greater challenges, although their progress largely depends on increased participation in international events.
For many specialists, this has been one of the best seasons for Cuban beach volleyball in a long time, just a notch below the outstanding previous year. The challenge now will be to maintain and expand that performance in 2026, with more competitive opportunities for the emerging pairs.
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