The French volleyball team, Olympic champions, ideally prepared for the World Cup (August 26-September 11) by winning a third Nations League title thanks to their success in the final against the United States, 3 sets to 2 (25 -16, 25-19, 15-25, 21-25, 15-10), Sunday July 24 in Bologna.
The Blues, trained since the end of March by former Italian international Andrea Giani, will now aim for the world title, the only one they miss, in a month in Poland and Slovenia. “We are a team that has reached maturity, we have taken a lot of knocks on the head, we have lost a lot, we have missed out on a lot of competitions and that is what has forged us”savored the French leader Earvin Ngapeth after the meeting.
“We know what we have to do to get on the podium. And here it is: today we proved that we are a great team, that we are reaching maturity. It’s not easy when you win 2-0 and you get caught.”he added.
A final one-way at first, then undecided
Imperial during the first two rounds against the United States, the French indeed suffered at the end of the game by conceding their first sets in this final phase.
The Americans, who defeated the Poles, double world champions in the semi-finals, thus raised their heads and took advantage of the French inaccuracies to pick up two runs everywhere. At the beginning of July, the United States had already upset France in the preliminary round. Trailing two sets to nil, the Americans were tied before winning 3-2. But in the tie break of this Bologna final, the French had the last word. They were able to count on the efficiency of Antoine Brizard in the service and the talent of Earvin Ngapeth, author of 22 points (the best scorer of the game), to take the gold medal.
A European title in 2015, an Olympic title last year, and now three World/Nations Leagues: the Blues confirm their status in world volleyball. Waiting perhaps to adorn themselves with gold again in a few weeks.