The French volleyball team will face a big name this Friday in the quarter-final of the League of Nations, as it will face Italy. This is the last major competition before the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. The Blues finished the preliminary round well, with a tie-break victory against Brazil, this Sunday in Manila (25-23, 27-29, 13-25, 25-19, 18-16).
Already qualified for the quarter-finals before facing the South Americans, the Blues still did not know the identity of their future opponent. They placed sixth in the preliminary round, and will therefore meet third-placed Italy. The Final 8 will take place in Lodz, Poland.
The Brazilians still pushed the French to the tie-break. If they concluded the first round, which got off to a bad start, with a magnificent smash from Théo Faure, author of 29 points, the Tricolores were also able to count on a good Kevin Tillie.
Earvin Ngapeth still absent
Left behind in the second set, they managed to come back to the score before giving in on the Brazilians’ fourth set point. The third set was one-sided in favor of the Canarinhos but the French raised their level to take the next set. In the decisive tie-break, Andrea Giani’s men, trailing 13-10, reversed the trend and concluded on their fourth match point.
The day before, the Blues themselves lost in five sets against Japan. They are also still without their star Earvin Ngapeth, who is treating a muscle injury. His return could take place within a few days.
