14:40 – The summary
It was hard to imagine that Les Bleus would pull out their dream match, a perfect and smooth match, in the final against Poland. And yet that is what happened today at the Arena Sud Paris. During three short sets, Earvin Ngapeth’s teammates showed all the qualities that make them the best players in the world and that make this team the strongest on the world stage. The team’s key players Jean Patry, Trévor Clévenot, Barthélémy Chinenyeze, Antoine Brizard were brilliant in attack. Ngapeth was sublime in all sectors.
It was a monumental team effort. Impenetrable block defenses, effective serves varying between power and finesse, intelligence and composure at the net on important points. Even winning serves at the end of the match illustrated by Quentin Jouffroy’s aces. The Blues started slowly in the first set but once they took the lead, they never let it go (25-19). The same for the second set where we were nevertheless expecting a Polish reaction. Weighed down by inefficiency at the net and a too feverish defense, Poland was never able to offer the slightest revolt (25-20). The third set was dazzling for the French, in the unfolding but also in the spectacle with points snatched with forceps, magical intuitions and specials from Ngapeth and Patry which delighted the public.
Despite four match points saved by the Poles, France achieved a monumental feat by winning in three sets. The emotions were heightened in front of a furious crowd that also gave some regrets to Laurent Thillie, the builder of the success in Tokyo “JI haven’t had this title in front of such a beautiful audience. We were alone “. The former coach of the Blues underlined the great mastery of the Blues in this final illustrated by a permanent concentration which allowed them to win 9 sets in a row since the quarter-finals.
The French volleyball team has definitely made history with this XXL feat which is beyond dispute, and we say this with all humility.
14:26 – The dance of champions!!!
The French are dancing in the middle of the floor. What a magnificent group. The Blues dominated the final against the Poles thanks to extraordinary performances from these key players (Ngapeth, Patry, Clévenot, Chinenyeze and Brizard). They knew how to score the points they needed in moments of truth
14:24 – 25-23 – France is a double Olympic champion!!!!!!!
The Blues did it!!! They are double Olympic champions after a dream match against Poland (3 sets to zero)
14:21 – 24-21 Poles save two match points
Ngapeth’s mistake in defense, the Poles save two match points
14:19 – 23-18 Magical Jouffroy!
Quentin Jouffroy chains together aces on serve and gives the Blues a 5-point lead
14:18 – 21-18 Ace of Jouffroy
All the planets align, it’s Jouffroy’s turn to shine with a magnificent ace on serve
14:16 – 20-18 Exceptional Patry!
Patry’s special at the net, a ball pushed with finesse. Magnificent action from the Blues
14:14 – 17-17 Exceptional defense by Ngapeth
Magnificent one-handed save from Ngapeth on the line, Patry converts the point on the following action.
14:12 – 16-17 Patry at the net
Jean Patry effective in blocking and prevents the Poles from taking a three-point lead
14:11 – 14-16 Leon sublime in defense
Despite several smashes from Ngapeth, the Poles and Leon resist. 14-16, Poland has woken up
14:09 – 14-15 the Poles take the lead again
Clévenot’s strike into the net, Poland takes the lead again at 14-15
14:09 – 14-12 Ngapeth does his special
Great intuition from Ngapeth who does his special without momentum; 14-12 for the Blues