France
France, Russia, and Poland joined Brazil, Iran and the host national team of the United States in the Final Six of the 2019 FIVB Nations League (July 10-14).
In a direct duel for the spot in the Finals, France defeated Italy in Pool 18 in Brasília (Brazil) by a 3-1 (27-25, 25-19, 21-25, 25-20) to settle at the No.4 in the charts with a 10-4 record and 31 points. Italy dropped out of the contention for the Final Six, as they were squeezed out to the sixth place in the standings with an 8-6 record and 25 points (the top 5 in the charts plus the USA will play the F6). Kévin Tillie pushed France to the fifth successive Finals of the competition (including both FIVB World League and FIVB Nations League) with 15 points. Giulio Pinali scored 17 for Italy (4 aces).
Russia
Russia had two chances to clinch the Final Six spot as they needed one win in the last two matches. But, “Zbornaya“ already took their first opportunity and defeated steaming Argentina (won five out of last six games) in Pool 17 in Brisbane (Australia) in the tie-break: 3-2 (25-19, 22-25, 25-18, 21-25, 15-11). As we write this article, Russia already wrapped up their 2019 VNL campaign in the Preliminary Round, finishing third in the standings with 12-3 and 34 points. As for the match against Argentina, Igor Filippov amazed with 7 kill blocks and ended the game as Russia’s most prolific player with 17 points. Bruno Lima scored 20 points for Argentina, while Agustín Loser made 4 kill blocks.
Poland
Poland beat the Pool 20 hosts Germany in Leipzig in four sets (sixth win in a row in 2019 VNL), partially 25-19, 21-25, 25-14, and 25-23, and will play the Final Six. Also, Italy’s loss to France and Canada’s loss to Brazil went into the favor of the current world champions. This scenario secured Poland No.5 in the charts (10-4; 27 points). But, bad news came with good news. In the fourth set, Poland’s starting outside hitter Tomasz Fornal jumped into the block, landed badly and sprained his ankle. Piotr Łukasik tallied 18 points for the winning side. Simon Hirsch scored 20 for Germany.
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