VIDEO. The French team qualifies for the semi-finals of the League of Nations by beating Italy in five sets in the quarterfinals

The Blues beat the Italians. PAP – Marian Zubrzycki

The French volleyball team, Olympic champion, qualified for the semi-finals of the League of Nations, by laboriously beating Italy, despite being deprived of its regular players, 3 to 2 (19-25, 25-20, 22-25, 25-22, 15-11) on Friday, June 28 in Lodz (Poland).

The French team, Olympic champion, won (19-25, 25-20, 22-25, 25-22, 15-11) against Azzurri deprived of their six starters. She will face Poland, the host country and defending champion, on Saturday for a place in the final.

Like their first phase which finished in sixth place, marked by sometimes irresistible sequences and confusing air gaps, the French had at least the merit of not disuniting when it mattered most.

Thus, although quickly led 4-0 in the tie-break, coach Andrea Giani's men were able to come together, particularly on the counterattack, the sector that brought the most satisfaction (13 in total against 5), to reverse the score.

Ngapeth came on for a few serves 

Also with greater experience in five-set matches at this level of competition, against young and talented Italians, who had long been uninhibited, they finished stronger, to avoid an unfortunate underperformance a month before the Paris Games where they will defend their title.

The essential having been ensured, another clearing in The blue horizon occurred during the match, with the appearance of Earvin Ngapeth, who had been announced as having forfeited before the match, having been nursing a calf injury for several weeks and for whom no risk could be taken one month before the big Olympic goal.

There wasn't really any risk, because he came in to perform a few services, even if he was immediately called upon in a defensive action. And what action, with a diving rescue from the back of the line, with a lifting and decisive effect, since it turned into a pass for a winning smash from Kevin Tillie in the second set.

Les Bleus sont en demies de Ligue des nations ! 💪🇫🇷#lequipeVOLLEY pic.twitter.com/1Pp0yBeuAW

— la chaine L'Équipe (@lachainelequipe) June 28, 2024

Patry, Clévenot and Tillie shine

Ngapeth, who had called on his teammates to "be serious – we have to beat" this Italy bis, he said – gave rise to a renewed pride of the Blues, who ultimately took time to dismiss their valiant adversaries.

A victory whose main actors were Jean Patry (25 pts), Trévor Clévenot (19 pts) on his 30th birthday, and Kevin Tillie (15 pts). Crowned in 2022, the Blues are only two victories away from a fourth title in this event, after those also gleaned in 2015 and 2017 when it was still called the World League. But you will first have to overcome the Polish obstacle. But at home, the European champions, in full force, will be much tougher opponents.