The French men’s volleyball team won their penultimate Euro group match by defeating Latvia 3-0. The Blues thus remain the only first of group D.
Fourth victory in four Euro matches for the Olympic champions! The French men’s volleyball team continued their flawless performance by defeating Latvia, in Tallinn, as part of group D. Unsurprisingly, against this team which has participated in its first Euro since 1995, Bernardinho’s men won 25-18, 25-14, 25-17 in 1:11 in a match where they never trembled, and where Yacine Louati replaced Trevor Clévenot as receiver-attacker. The French were never led during the first and second sets. They were up to seven points ahead in the first and twelve in the second. In the third, Latvia led 1-0… and that’s it. The Blues then continued to widen the gap, which climbed to +9, and concluded without problem. Earvin Ngapeth finished with 11 points this part where the new coach of the Blues turned, bringing into play the three players absent from the Tokyo Olympics, Théo Faure, Mousse Gueye and François Rebeyrol, who all scored points, literally. as figuratively.
Win two sets against Estonia
This fourth success of the Blues, already qualified for the knockout stages since Monday and their victory over Germany, allows them to get closer to first place in the group. They will only have to win two sets against Estonia, who will play at home on Thursday, and the No.1 place will be assured. The Blues will anyway take the direction of Ostrava, in the Czech Republic, to play their round of 16 on Monday (Sunday if they finish second), where their opponent could be the Czech Republic. Facing a team playing in front of its supporters will therefore be a good rehearsal on Thursday.
French markers: Chinenyeze (5), Patry (10), Toniutti (2), Ngapeth (11), Brizard (3), Le Goff (10), Louati (6), Faure (4), Gueye (4), Rebeyrol (5)
VOLLEY / EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP 2021 (M)
From September 1 to 19, 2021 in Poland, Czech Republic, Estonia and Finland
GROUP PHASE
Group D (in Tallinn, Estonia)
1- France 4 wins (12 points) >>> QUALIFIED
2- Germany 3 (9pts) >>> QUALIFIED
3- Croatia 3 (7pts) >>> QUALIFIED
4- Latvia 1 (5pts)
5- Slovakia 1 (3pts)
6- Estonia 1 (3pts)
Wednesday, September 8, 2021
Slovakia – Croatia : 1-3 (27-25, 19-25, 19-25, 29-31)
France – Latvia: 3-0 (25-18, 25-14, 25-17)
