Beat three sets for two by the Squadra Azzurra, France will not win the only title that is missing its record. If they failed in service and against, the tricolors have however shown mental strength throughout the competition.
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The return to Earth is tough for the French volleyball team. In an Arena Stozice in Ljubljana, Slovenia, widely acquired at Squadra Azzurra, the French bowed in five sets (24-26, 25-21, 23-25, 25-22, 15-12) Wednesday September 7, In the quarterfinals of the World Cup. In the next round, the Italians will face Slovenia or Ukraine on Saturday in Katowice, Poland, for a place in the final.
Cuban winners in the round of 16 on Saturday, the Transalpins had benefited from two additional days of recovery, which weighed in the tie-break, where the French, who had fought against the Japanese on Monday, appeared dull. France was also not favored by arbitration in the fourth set, when a disputed decision offered three set balls to Italy (24-21).
Falling from their pedestal is necessarily painful for the Olympic champions in Tokyo, recent winners of the League of Nations. Even in front of one of the favorites of the competition, this elimination in the quarterfinals of the World Cup is a big disillusionment. Appointed in March at the head of the team, the Italian coach Andrea Giani had announced before the tournament that he was aiming for a place in the last square.
“Everything goes very quickly in volleyball because the best teams are very close. With each international competition, a dozen teams can win,” said Earvin NgaPeth two weeks ago, the receiptor attacking the Blues, who made A high level tournament.
Too many faults at the service
What to remember from this competition? “Overall, we have not played well, but even in difficult times, we did not disun on, we continued to play in a team. It shows that this team is strong on the mental level. What makes me optimistic for the future, “replied Mr. Giani. The Italian coach is now “part of the family”, to use an expression used by several players. Charismatic, experienced, Modena coach does not seem to be overwhelmed by this failure. For team executives, he is the right person to lead them to a second Olympic coronation in Paris in 2024.
One of his priority sites will be to advance the Habs in the Service and in the Defense Bloc, he who was one of the best bothers of his generation. During the World Cup, the Blues have sinned in these two key sectors. Faced with Slovenia, during their second group match, they committed 32 faults in the service, a record. And against Japan, their blocks seemed brittle, while their opponents were disadvantaged by their lower size.
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