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The roar of the home crowd echoed through the arena as France’s men’s volleyball team delivered a stunning performance, sweeping Italy aside in a 3:0 (25-20, 25-21, 25-21) victory in the Olympic semifinals. The atmosphere was electric, charged with the hopes and dreams of a nation, and Les Bleus did not disappoint.
Match Team Stats
| Team | Attack | Block | Serve | Opponent Errors | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Italy | 33 | 7 | 3 | 19 | 62 |
| France | 44 | 5 | 6 | 20 | 75 |
Match Skills
| Team | Dig | Reception | Set |
|---|---|---|---|
| Italy | 51 | 60 | 79 |
| France | 59 | 49 | 89 |
From the first serve, France displayed a level of intensity and precision that Italy struggled to match. Their attacks were relentless, their blocks impenetrable, and their serves were like thunderbolts. The Italian team, despite their valiant efforts, found themselves constantly on the back foot, unable to break through the French defense.
Personal stats: France
| Player Name | Position | Points | Attacks | Blocks | Serves |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clevenot | OH | 17 | 15 | 2 | 0 |
| Ngapeth | OH | 14 | 13 | 0 | 1 |
| Patry | O | 9 | 8 | 0 | 1 |
| Chinenyeze | MB | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 |
| Le Goff | MB | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
Ngapeth and Clevenot were the heroes for France, leading the charge with 14 and 17 points respectively. Their powerful spikes and strategic placements left the Italian defense scrambling for answers. The French middle blockers, Chinenyeze and Le Goff, also played crucial roles, dominating the net with their blocks and quick attacks.
Personal stats: Italy
| Player Name | Position | Points | Attacks | Blocks | Serves |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Romanò | O | 10 | 10 | 0 | 0 |
| Russo | MB | 9 | 7 | 2 | 0 |
| Lavia | OH | 8 | 7 | 1 | 0 |
| Michieletto | OH | 7 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| Galassi | MB | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 |
Italy, despite their reputation as a volleyball powerhouse, struggled to find their rhythm. Romanò, their star player, was uncharacteristically quiet, managing only 10 points. The Italian team’s usually reliable offense seemed out of sync, and their errors proved costly.
France’s Golden Opportunity
With this emphatic victory, France secures their place in the Olympic finals, sending the home crowd into raptures. The dream of Olympic gold is now within reach, and the French team will be riding a wave of confidence as they prepare for the ultimate showdown. Italy, despite the loss, can be proud of their journey in the tournament. They will now shift their focus to the bronze medal match, where they will aim to end their Olympic campaign on a high note.
Source: https://en.volleyballworld.com/volleyball/competitions/volleyball-olympic-games-paris-2024/schedule/19083/#teamstats
