The French volleyball team has triumphantly secured a spot in the EuroVolley 2023 quarterfinals, following a dominating straight-set victory against Bulgaria. Playing amidst the electrifying environment of Varna, the Olympic champions dispatched the home team with scores of 25-21, 25-21, and 25-15.
The initial moments of the match saw Bulgaria, fueled by its local fanbase, leading the first set. However, their momentum was halted when Earvin Ngapeth stepped in for France, delivering crucial points to overturn the score. This shift, marked by Ngapeth’s ace and critical blocks, paved the way for France’s initial set win at 25-21.
The French team’s formidable presence continued into the second set, led by a resounding 8-1 start. Despite Bulgaria’s spirited efforts and improved blocking, they couldn’t close the growing gap, eventually falling again with a 25-21 scoreline.
The third set was particularly remarkable as the French team showcased their prowess with five aces, completely overshadowing the Bulgarians and sealing their victory with a resounding 25-15 score.
Middle blocker Barthelemy Chinenyeze stood out with a 77% attack record, accumulating 13 points for the match. He was closely followed by Timothee Carle, who contributed 10 points. Bulgaria’s standout performer was middle Aleks Grozdanov, who matched Carle’s 10 points.
With this win, France is set to lock horns with Romania in the quarterfinals, a rematch following their earlier encounter in the group stage.
France vs. Bulgaria 3-0 (25-21, 25-21, 25-15)
