The French started the game brilliantly and it seemed that they would win the final quickly and without any problems. The surprising change in the line-up and setup in the third set, however, gave the Americans a second breath, who led to the fifth game. The team from Europe mastered the situation only in the tie-break.
–
The first set was a show by the Olympic champions. He started the game with great plays John Patry and coach of rivals John Speraw already at 5: 2 for France, he asked for a break. But his team didn’t stand a chance against their opponents in this set.
–
The French were driven by great plays. They came down with a lead of six points for the technical break. After a while, the difference between the teams increased even more, because in the service field he was going crazy Earvin Ngapeth. The Olympic champions were great with situational balls, he was clever at the net Trevor Clevenot. At one point, the French were 12 points ahead, they finally won 25:16.
–
Bartosz Kurek: I should get an Oscar because I was pretending to be a good player in the match against Italy. VIDEO (Polsat Sport)/Polsat Sport/Polsat Sport
—
The changes did not help the Americans. The French concert continued
He was experiencing enormous problems Torey Defalco. The 25-year-old player was completely unable to cope with the reception, and he scored only one point in the first set with an attack. And yet in previous matches he was the driving force of the team.
–
After several unsuccessful actions in the second set, Speraw resigned from Defalco. He replaced him Garrett Muaghuttia. He calmed down the party a bit, but the Americans already had to make up for a four-point loss. The Olympic champions continued to play with great freedom.
–
In the second part of the game their advantage increased to six points Antoine Brizardand this one was making great use of it. The Americans presented some interesting actions, but they did not establish an even fight. This time France won 25:19.
–
Torey Defalco in a new role. Americans changed in the third set
Until the Sunday finals, both teams won exactly 37 sets in this edition of the League of Nations. It was the French who brought their achievements to 40 games won.
–
In the first two sets of the match against the Americans they played as well as the day before with Italy. Maybe even better. The US team tried to threaten them in unconventional ways – Defalco started the third party as an attacker. Ngapeth impressed with still unconventional plays, but it was the rivals who took the lead 9: 5.
–
Micah Christenson more and more often he could afford combinational actions, his colleagues successfully attacked with the so-called the sixth zone. Above all, however, Defalco was doing great in his new role. On the other side, mistakes started to appear and the Americans took care of the lead, winning 25:15.
–
France is better at tie-break. A space game in Bologna
The French started the fourth set with new energy, but they had to deal with a much more dangerous rival. The Americans were playing block better and better, they came down with three points advantage for the technical break. This time the Olympic champions did not let their rivals escape, which was helped by the libero Jenia Grebennikov. In key moments of the set, the Americans withstood the pressure of their rivals and led to a tie-break.
–
The spectacular return of the North American team to the game won the sympathy of the Italian audience. However, cheering did not help them in the tie-break. The French gained an advantage with Brizard’s brilliant performances. When Ngapeth stopped with a Defalco block, his team was up 6-2.
–
It was the French host who played first fiddle in the tie-break. The rivals tried to answer, but the Olympic champions did not let go of the advantage. Eventually they won 15:10 and they started the victory dance.
–
The gold of the French is their third medal in the fourth edition of the League of Nations. A year ago, they won bronze, and in 2018, silver. Previously, they won the World League twice, the predecessor of the current competition.
–
France – USA 3-2 (25:16, 25:19, 15:25, 21:25, 15:10)
France: Patry, Chinenyeze, Clevenot, Brizard, Le Goff, Ngapeth – Grebennikov (libero) oraz Jouffroy, Toniutti, Boyer
–
USA: Ensing, Jendryk, Defalco, Christenson, Smith, A. Russell – Shoji (libero) oraz K. Russell, Muagututia
—
