WILLEMSTAD (DA) — Curaçao made volleyball history Monday by defeating Barbados in straight sets to capture the inaugural CAZOVA Men’s Final Four championship at Sala Errol Rooi.
The host nation completed an undefeated tournament with a commanding 25-12, 25-18, 25-17 victory in the final.
Curaçao immediately put Barbados under pressure by scoring the first nine points of the match. Its strong blocking repeatedly stopped the visitors’ attack, helping the hosts comfortably claim the opening set.
Barbados offered more resistance in the next two sets, but Curaçao remained in control. Marlison Kleinmoedig powered the attack and applied pressure from the service line, Raymond Marchenia directed the offense, and Raygid Isenia and Ludrich Inocente anchored the block.
Curaçao had secured its place in the championship match by going unbeaten during the round-robin stage against Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago and the Bahamas.
The hosts opened Saturday with a 3-0 win over the Bahamas. Barbados also began with a sweep, defeating Trinidad and Tobago 29-27, 27-25, 25-23.
Curaçao faced a more difficult test against Trinidad and Tobago on Sunday, dropping the opening set 25-14 before taking control and winning the next three for a 3-1 victory.
Curaçao then defeated Barbados 3-1 in the final round-robin match to finish atop the standings and advance to the final. Trinidad and Tobago secured the bronze medal Monday with a 3-1 victory over the Bahamas.
Curaçao’s dominance was also reflected in the individual awards. Kleinmoedig was named Best Opposite and the tournament’s Most Valuable Player. Isenia and Inocente received the Best Middle Blocker honors, while Marchenia was selected as Best Setter.
The championship capped a historic event for the Curaçao Volleyball Federation, which organized the four-team international tournament and celebrated the country’s first CAZOVA Men’s Final Four crown. Curaçao is currently ranked No. 48 in the world.