France overthrew co-hosts Slovenia in the big match valid for the second round of Pool D at the 2022 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship.
At the end of a match of incredible intensity in a heated atmosphere in Ljubljana, the French team beat Slovenia in the tie-break after saving three match points in earlier stages of the encounter: 3-2 (25-21, 22-25, 23-25, 34-32, 15-7). It was the second match for both sides in the event after which the reigning Olympic champions qualified for the Round of 16. Carried by 11,000 spectators at the Arena Stožice, Slovenia was on the verge of a win that would certainly be noted as a major one despite their status as European vice-champions.
Apart from having three match points in the fourth set, Slovenia had 20-17 before that. ’Les Blues’ staged a turnaround before calmly claiming the tie-break (15-7) and reaching 2-0 and 5 points. Slovenes are at 1-1 and 4 points. Earvin Ngapeth stood out for France (29 points). Nicolas Le Goff made 4 blocks. Barthélémy Chinenyeze was amazing in the attack with 92.86% (13/14)! Klemen Čebulj scored 18 points on the losing side. Jan Kozamernik made 5 blocks.
Everything is going according to plan for the other co-host. Poland defeated Mexico quickly and effectively in their second match in Pool C in Katowice, reaching 2-0 and 6 points.
The match was as it was supposed to look for the 12,000 fans at the Spodek Arena. The deafening doping from the stands Polish players got overwhelmed the Latin American team made up of semi-amateurs, unaccustomed to such an atmosphere. Starters played only the first set for Poland, then backups got a chance by the head coach Nikola Grbić to get a better feel of the tournament. Today’s victory ensured the ’white and reds’ promotion to the 1/8 finals. On Tuesday, at the end of the group stage, they’ll play against the US National Team, who also benefited from Poland vs Mexico result and secured a playoff berth.
Tomasz Fornal top-scored Poland with 10 points. Karol Kłos set up 4 blocks. Diego González put down 14 points for Mexico.
2022 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championships – Preliminary Phase, Day 3:
