Wed, Mar 22, 2006 - Page 1 News List

Japan downs Cuba to rule the baseball world

GRIPPING FINAL Ichiro Suzuki led Team Japan to victory over Cuba in the final of the first ever World Baseball Classic, deflating the myth of Cuban baseball invincibility

AGENCIES , SAN DIEGO, CALOFORNIA, TOKYO AND HAVANAP

Earlier in the evening, the fans sang and danced to salsa music in the park, then boisterously cheered on their struggling team.

"It hurts, it hurts a lot," Alexei Serrano said after Cuba's defeat.

"Cuba lacked batting and speed, but I'm still proud of my team," added his twin brother, Alberto.

Both men were among at the park, where sports fans gather daily to loudly argue about teams and players.

Cuban state television carried the ESPN broadcast of all the games live across this island of 11.2 million, but the giant screen wasn't erected until the final.

In recent days, euphoria about Cuba's chances of success in the inaugural World Classic was hyped up after the team's dramatic 4-3 win over Puerto Rico at the end of the second round, and its 3-1 win over the Dominican Republic in Saturday's semifinals.

"Cuba has overcome the best players in the world," said fan Jorge Perez.

Ives Luciano said he wasn't happy about the final result, "but I'm not disillusioned either, because we won with honor."

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