Berlin (AFP)
French volleyball players lost 3 sets to 2 against Bulgaria (25-23, 17-25, 25-22, 19-25, 15-8), for their second match of the Olympic qualification tournament on Monday in Berlin, the next day of their victory against the European champions of Serbia.
The Blues will have to beat the Netherlands Wednesday evening (8.45 pm), losing a maximum of one set, to ensure qualification for the semi-finals, without depending on the results of the other teams.
The tournament in the German capital delivers the last European ticket for the Tokyo Olympics, with strong competition, in particular Serbia, European champion in title in the group of France, and Germany and Slovenia in the other group.
The French, on alternating current Monday in the Max-Schmelling Halle Berlin, took, thanks to this tie break, a point which could prove crucial in the event of a tie in the number of victories at the end of the group phase .
The pointed Bulgarian Tsvetan Sokolov, whom Laurent Tillie's men had managed to control during the European Championship three months ago (French victory 3 sets to 0 in group stage), was the man of the match (23 points ), being the most decisive in the important moments of the meeting, and in particular the tie break.
The French, who arrived less in Berlin with the absence of Thibault Rossard, Trevor Clevenot (injured) and Stephen Boyer (personal reason) suffered from a limited rotation due to injuries, since Julien Lyneel could only return sporadically and that central Kevin Le Roux did not play.
Jean Patry, excellent against Serbia on Sunday at the forefront of the attack, once again finished better scorer on the French side (20 points), while the French reception, usually the strong point of the Blues, was undermined by the Bulgarian power.
The French, 2015 European champions in Bulgaria, are aiming for a second consecutive qualification at the Olympic Games after Rio-2016.
© 2020 AFP