WL: USA and France in semifinals! Brazil is OUT!

Breaking news from Rio! Brazil will not play for the trophy of the World League 2015, despite being the host of the final tournament! Instead, USA and France have qualified for the semifinals thanks to better overall point ratio!!!

Yes, all three teams ended the group stage with 4 points and with the same set ratio – 4-4. Therefore, the point ratio had to decide! USA had the best one (1.031) and finished as the first placed in the Pool. France was just behind (1.000) and seized the second spot, while Brazil had the worst one (0.970) and got eliminated from the competition.

In the last game of the round USA defeated France by 3-1, and that was the only score which could bring both teams in the next stage. But, it was really intense at one point… USA were leading 2-0 in sets and had the match ball in the third one – 24:23. If they had scored that point, both USA and Brazil would have gone to semifinals, while France would have been eliminated… But, Kevin Tillie scored and tied the score at 24:24.

Then Les Blues scored another point for 25:24 and John Speraw had to call for a time-out. It was in vain. Earvin N’Gapeth finished the counter-attack with a strong spike and brought the precious set to France – 26:24.

The fourth set was a nightmare for the Brazilian fans that were in the Hall. Because they watched the worst possible scenario for their team happening in front of their eyes. USA won the set and the match, while France collected enough points to be in front of Brazil by the overall point ratio… The host got eliminated, while USA and France advanced into semifinals. 

FINALS 1ST GROUP / POOL I /

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