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The Cuban pair of beach volleyball, made up of Noslen Díaz and Jorge Luis Alayo, achieved an honorable fifth place in the prestigious Élite 16 tournament of the World Pro Tour, held in Hamburg, Germany, after falling in the quarter-finals to the Norwegians Anders Mol and Christian Sorum, Olympic champions at Tokyo 2020 and bronze medalists at Paris 2024.
According to the official site Cubadebate, the Antilleans ended the tournament with a record of two wins and the same number of defeats. In their last match, against the top-ranked duo in the world, they lost 2-0 (21-18, 22-20) in a high-level contest where Cuba stood out in attack (24-23) and blocking (5-4), although the Europeans excelled in serving and made fewer errors. Individually, Alayo shone with 24 points, just two fewer than Mol, the top scorer of the match.
The journey to the quarter-finals included a strong performance in the group stage, with victories over the Dutch team Penninga/Immers and the world champions from the Czech Republic, Perusic/Schweiner, which confirms the competitive maturity achieved by Francisco Álvarez Cutiño's trainees. Although they previously lost to Latvia in the round of 12, they managed to bounce back and secure their place among the top eight.
A Promotional Season
The year 2025 has been a successful year for the duo, who have already celebrated gold at the Elite 16 in Quintana Roo (Mexico), as well as other notable results in Brazil, Switzerland, and the Russian League, where they have accumulated six medals.
With their sights set on the World Championship in Adelaide (Australia) in November, Díaz and Alayo confirm that they are the leading representatives of Cuban beach volleyball and an emerging duo on the international circuit.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Performance of Díaz and Alayo in Beach Volleyball
What was the result for Díaz and Alayo in the Élite 16 tournament in Hamburg?
Díaz and Alayo finished in fifth place at the prestigious Élite 16 tournament of the World Pro Tour in Hamburg. They were eliminated in the quarterfinals by the Norwegians Anders Mol and Christian Sorum, who are Olympic champions. Despite the defeat, the Cubans demonstrated strong performance in both attack and blocking.
What were the achievements of Díaz and Alayo in the 2025 season?
In 2025, Díaz and Alayo have had a successful season with medals in various international tournaments. They won gold at the Elite 16 in Quintana Roo, Mexico, and added multiple podium finishes in Brazil, Switzerland, and the Russian League, establishing themselves as the best Cuban beach volleyball duo on the international circuit.
What is the next goal for Díaz and Alayo in the international circuit?
The next major goal for Díaz and Alayo is the World Championship to be held in Adelaide, Australia, in November. They are focused on continuing their preparation for this event, where they aim to continue standing out and possibly secure a medal.
How has the relationship between Díaz and Alayo with Russian volleyball developed?
Díaz and Alayo have found an important stage in Russia para su desarrollo profesional, sumando varios títulos en la liga nacional rusa y la Copa de Rusia. Han sido bien recibidos y se han ganado el respeto tanto del público como de la comunidad internacional, lo que ha sido crucial para su crecimiento competitivo.
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