Dubai: Rank outsiders Turkey will take on hot favourites and world No. Russia in the final of the FIVB men’s Under-23 World Championship at the Al Nasr Club on Monday.

Russia became the only unbeaten team in the competition so far after sweeping past Italy 3-0 (25-20, 25-18, 27-25), while surprise-package Turkey had subdued a nervous Cuba in straight sets (25-19, 25-18, 27-25) in the earlier semi-final.

Entering this championship on the basis of being the highest-ranked country in the senior FIVB world rankings, Turkey had continued with their giant-killing act with yet another dominant performance against Cuba to enter a historic final for the first time.

Turkey and Russia had clashed in their preliminary Pool B match last Friday with the Russians walking away with a hard-fought 3-2 win.

But for a short period midway through the third set, Turkey always looked to be in command against Cuba. Their offensive duo of Gokhan Gokgoz and Faik Samet Gunes worked out a perfect understanding at the net with their well-directed smashes, while skipper Burak Gungor was tidy at the back alongside Alperay Demirciler.

Good start

Cuba got off to a good start, thanks mainly to Abrahan Alfonso’s smashes from the flanks. But, as the opening set progressed, they looked sloppy and started committing mistakes, resulting in easy gains for Turkey, who went on to take the opener 25-19.

The second set was a close affair initially but, with Gokgoz coming up with three aces in a row and spikes through the middle from Vahit Emre Savas, Gunes and Metin Toy, Turkey took it easily 25-18.

Turkey — who qualified for this competition as the highest-ranked country in the senior FIVB world rankings — faltered a little midway through the third set, but a timely caution by their Italian coach Emanuele Zanini during a timeout fetched the desired result as they wrapped up the set and match 27-25. “I am very, very happy at having achieved such a historic result in men’s volleyball for Turkey. Now that we have reached our goal we will celebrate for an hour or so and then get down to business of preparing for the final,” Zanini told media.

“We have the highest respect for all teams, especially for such teams who have a long tradition in volleyball. This is the first time we are in a final. This is a dream for this generation of players and they have achieved this dream because they have believed they can do it.”

Eyes on the trophy

Turkish captain Burak stressed that their eyes are now on the trophy.

“Our target is to win. We have taken things one step at a time and reached the final, so we can carry forward this confidence and win it. This is the first time for this generation of players and we have learnt so much through this experience,” he said.

Cuba coach Rodolfo Sanchez admitted his players were rattled by the occasion. “It is a learning process for all of us and hopefully we will be at our best in the play-off,” he said.

Earlier, defending champions Brazil set up a rematch with arch-rivals Argentina to decide the fifth position. Brazil eased their way to a 3-0 (25-20, 25-15, 25-22) win against South Korea, while Argentina overcome a tough hurdle with a 3-1 (25-17, 16-25, 25-23, 25-21) result against Asian champions Iran.