Copy – the first semi-final, paste – the second semi-final! Two games were almost exactly the same, only with different teams! France took over the role of Serbia, while Poland was the USA… This is why…
France managed to take the opening two sets after a tough battle and boys led by Laurent Tillie were just a step away from the final. Sounds familiar? However, Poland then confirmed the famous saying in sport – It’s not over ’till it’s over. The red and whites were superior in the third and in the fourth set and they tied the overall score at 2-2! Once again, the tie-break was about to decide the winner.
France was the first to escape to a two-point lead after a great block of Earvin N’Gapeth – 7:5. Les Blues were keeping the distance all the way till 10:8, but then Poland scored twice in a row and tied the score at 10:10… The red and whites even had a counter-attack to take over the lead, but Bartosz Kurek was blocked and France regained the lead – 11:10.
In the next point Kurek got blocked again by Nicolas Le Goff and France escaped to 12:10, then Poland made a big mistake as one player stepped on the rival’s side of the court – 13:10! It looked like everything was over, but…
France had two match points – 14:12. Bartosz Kurek saved the first one by a strong spike – 14:13, while then Earvin N’Gapeth got blocked – 14:14!!! France managed to respond via Antonin Rouzier for 15:14, Michal Kubiak tied the score again at 15:15, but Rouzier brought another match point for his side – 16:15. Then, the crucial moment.
Bartosz Kurek was left 1-on-1 with Earvin N’Gapeth… The Frenchman blocked him! 17:15, 3-2 for France! You should have seen him celebrate the final point…
FINALS 1ST GROUP / SEMIFINALS /
Game | Date/Time | Teams | Set | Result per set | Stats | Videos | ||
Semifinal 1 | 18. 07. 2015 10:00 | USA | vs | Serbia | 2:3 | 23:25; 21:25; 27:25; 25:20; 12:15 | STAT | |
Semifinal 2 | 18. 07. 2015 12:05 | France | vs | Poland | 3:2 | 25:23, 25:23, 19:25, 22:25, 17:15 |
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Congratulations to France from Poland, great game. This time you were better 🙂
Well played both side , That’s why all the tickets of Volleyball matches for Rio2016 are sold. A question why Polish players jumps up in the air after every single point. it’s ridiculous.
Congratulations to France. They were on their way to an easy victory. Poland was almost paralyzed. Then, Suddenly, in the third set, after first technical break, France just stopped playing, untill to the final set. Regarding Poland, they have a solid block and defense but very predictable, ordinary attack.
Kurek should get a free France citizenship after what he did for France in tiebreak. From 10-10 to 10-13 all Kurek’s fault. And this stepping over the line was Kurek too. Great game but Poland would have won if we had Wlazły or even Jarosz as opposite in the last set.
Congrats for France from Poland