Home » ECH M: Medal smiles to France, „Les Bleus“ down Serbia in quarterfinals

ECH M: Medal smiles to France, „Les Bleus“ down Serbia in quarterfinals

by WoV
source: Photo: cev.lu

The World League winners, France, march towards medal at the 2015 CEV European Championship! The „Les Bleus“ outplayed bronze medalists from previous Eurovolley in quarterfinals, in Busto (Italy) 3-1 (25-22, 25-23, 14-25, 25-20).

FRA vs. SRB

FRA vs. SRB

Both teams fired cannonballs from a service line at start of Set 1, with aces from Rouzier and Petrić, 5-5. Serbian players were mostly aiming Ngapeth with their serves, cutting him off attack. It was worth it 8-7.

But, Rouzier took over and exactly at the half of Set 1, France made a decisive gap 16-13 with 3-0 run when Le Roux blocked Atanasijević. At 19-15, Serbian coach Grbić had to call a time-out.

He shook up his protégés, Atanasijević poured three superstrong serves and totally disturbed French reception – Serbia got 4-0 run, 20-20. But, France responded with 3-0 run thanks to Rouzier’s powerful serves. Le Goff and Tillie were in charge to tipover balls after poor Serbian reception. It was all over in this set 25-22.

At start of Set 2, Serbia blocked superbly. They even managed to ground Ngapeth twice in a row, 7-7. Still, Toniutti’s settings were incredible as he was often leaving his teammates one-on-one in attack 14-12.

Ngapeth regained his recognizable play, Rouzier kept momentum from the start of the match and France soon went up 19-15. Serbia couldn’t reach that gap until the end despite approaching to 23-22. Set 2 finished with 25-23.

Block was the main weapon of Serbia in Set 3. Combined with powerful serves and Uroš Kovačević’s clever attacks, Serbian national team had 6-1. Kovačević continued to bomb French receivers along with Atanasijević and Serbia were 16-7 ahead, routinely finishing this set, 25-14.

French team established dominance from the first point in Set 3, 5-2, 7-4, 10-5. Rouzier and Ngapeth were infallible at offense 16-12. Two key moments occured at 18-14 (Rouzier converted counter attack) and 19-16 (Kovačević blocked).

The point of the match was at 24-17 when Ngapeth had surreal save from the hall entrance!!! Serbia approached to 24-20, but Rouzier smashed the ball for 25-20.

Top scorers: FranceAntonin Rouzier 20 pts., Earvin Ngapeth 16; SerbiaAleksandar Atanasijević 16, Nemanja Petrić 10.

FINAL ROUND / QUARTERFINALS /

Game Date/Time Teams Set Result per set Stats Videos
Quarterfinal 1 14. 10. 2015  France vs Serbia 3:1 25:22; 25:23; 14:25; 25:20    
Quarterfinal 2 14. 10. 2015  Poland vs Slovenia 2:3 17:25; 19:25; 25:23; 25:19; 14:16    
Quarterfinal 3 14. 10. 2015  Russia vs Italy 0:3 20:25; 19:25; 19:25    
Quarterfinal 4 14. 10. 2015  Bulgaria vs Germany 3:0 25:19; 25:23; 25:23    

 

To see standings, results, stats, videos, etc, visit our EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP 2015 M page.

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