The national team ofCuba, with whomBulgaria will compete in the third week of the 2025 Volleyball Nations League (VNL) in Gdansk, officially announced its extended squad for the competition. The biggest surprise on the list is the return of the legendary middle blockerRobertlandy Simon, who in 2024 had announced his retirement from the national team.

🔥 Bulgaria - Cuba: an anticipated clashThe two teams will meet in Poland during the third week of the VNL, where the "Lions" will fight for points in the world ranking and a chance to qualify among the best. Simon's presence in the Cuban squad adds significant weight to this match. The 38-year-old center ofPiacenzawill join then - with the goal of being fresh for the World Championship later in the year.
The two teams also played against each other in the third week of last year's edition of the tournament in Ljubljana, where the "Lions" lost 0:3 to Simon and co.
This year, we eagerly await the upcoming match, which will offer an intriguing clash between the Bulgarian middle blocker Alex Grozdanov, who finished second in Poland, and the experienced Cuban Robertlandy Simon, who finished seventh among blockers in Italy.

💬 Cuba's coach, Jesús Cruz, announced:

"After the last VNL, we thought Simon was done with the national team, but he contacted us himself and expressed a desire to play again. He will join the team in Poland."

🛫 Before that, the Cubans will prepare with friendly matches in Argentina, and their opening week in the tournament will be in Brazil from June 11 to 15.

📋 Cuba's extended squad for VNL 2025:

ASetters:

• Adrián Chirino (Adrián Chirino)

• Christian Thondike (Christian Thondike)

• Julio Alberto Gómez (Julio Alberto Gómez)

• Lýván Taboada (Lýván Taboada)

AOpposite Hitters:

• Alejandro González (Alejandro González)

• Carlos Charles (Carlos Charles)

• Daniel Martinez (Daniel Martínez)

• Michael Sanchez (Michael Sánchez)

• Yordan Bisset (Yordan Bisset)

AOutside Hitters:

• Bryan Camino (Bryan Camino)

• José Miguel Gutiérrez (José Miguel Gutiérrez)

• Marlon Yant (Marlon Yant) (was Alex Nikolov's teammate in Lube, before moving to Zenit St. Petersburg - editor's note)

• Miguel Angel Lopez (Miguel Ángel López)

• Osniel Mergarejo (Osniel Mergarejo)

• Víctor Andreu (Víctor Andreu)

• Yusniel González (Yusniel González)

AMiddle Blockers:

• David Fiel (David Fiel)

• Endriel Pedroso (Endriel Pedroso)

• Javier Concepción (Javier Concepción)

• José Israel Massó (José Israel Massó)

• Roamy Alonso (Roamy Alonso)

• Robertlandy Simón (Robertlandy Simón)

• Thiago Suárez (Thiago Suárez)

ALibero:

• Alain GorguetAlain Gorguet)

• Dayron Gallego (Dayron Gallego)

• Yonder García (Yonder García)
  
  photos: Nikolay Varadinov