League of Nations: The Blues start badly

France begins this 2023 edition of the League of Nations with a defeat. This Wednesday, on the side of Nagoya in Japan, the Blues, defending champions, lost against Poland, world champion in 2014, in 2018 and vice-world champion in title, 3-1 (25-23, 18 -25, 35-33, 25-15). In the first round, the debates began to be particularly balanced. Poland did not count more than four points in advance (11-7, 12-8, 13-9, 14-10, 15-11).

By dint of pushing, Andrea Giani’s men ended up going back in front (20-21). And were even still tied in the last moments (23-23). Before the Poles chained two points in a row, to take the lead in this meeting, with the gain of this first set (25-23). For this match, Giani had been forced to call on a largely reorganized group, with the presence of only two Olympic champions (Kevin Tillie and Daryl Butor).

An interminable and certainly frustrating third round

Players who had a burst of pride in the second set. Although the Poles managed to lead for much of it, the Blues came back in front at 14-15. And thanks to a final 4-10, the Habs equalized at one set everywhere (18-25). The third round was certainly the most frustrating for the Blues. An endless set during which the match points were particularly numerous. Five from the French side, which was ahead until 31-32. But six from the Polish side, from 28-27.

And it was indeed the reigning vice-world champions who ended up having the last word, to lead two sets to one (35-33). Finally, the fourth and final round was one-sided. The Blues equalized at 1-1, before then not stopping chasing the score. And the Poles concluded, thanks to a scathing 6-0 final, to bring their definitive lead, in this final set, to +10 (25-15). The Blues have an appointment this Friday morning for their second match of the competition. It will be against China, at 6:10 a.m. French time.