The French Olympic champions, double winners of the VNL (2015 and 2017), ideally began their quest for a third title by sweeping Japan 3-0 (26-24, 25-16, 25-20), Thursday, despite the absence of their star Earvin Ngapeth.

Injured in the left ankle Thursday morning in training, the 31-year-old receiver-attacker is uncertain for this semi-final against Italy.

French volleyball player Earvin Ngapeth during the defeat of the Blues in the round of 16 of the Euro in Ostrava, Czech Republic, September 13, 2021. Michal CIZEK AFP

Ngapeth maintains a special relationship with the "Botte", nourished by eight seasons combined at Piemonte Volley and Modena, where he still plays.

Host country Italy qualified on Wednesday by beating the Netherlands 3 sets to 1.

Reigning European champions, the Transalpins impressed in the preliminary round of the League of Nations, with ten wins and two losses.

The Blues had inflicted one of their two setbacks on the Italians on June 9 (3-0).

But for Jean Patry, the configuration of this half, at the Unipol Arena in Bologna in front of 11,000 incandescent people, encourages caution.

- "It's going to be a big game" -

"It's a very big piece. They have strengthened themselves compared to the first VNL game we played against them. In addition, they are at home, they are in good condition, so it will be a big game" , warned the sharp Milan, author of 19 points against Japan.

Three times world champion, three times Olympic vice-champion and eight times winner of the World League, Italy is one of the best volleyball nations.

A substantial track record, built mainly in the 1990s, in which Andrea Giani greatly participated.

For the legend of Italian volleyball, who succeeded the Brazilian Bernardinho as coach of the Blues in March, this match will therefore have a special flavor: Giani, 474 selections in 18 seasons, brought Italy three World Championships (1990, 1994 , 1998) and 4 European Championships (1993, 1995, 1999 and 2003).

Former Italian volleyball international Andrea Giani, now France coach, during the World Championships in Okayama, Japan, November 24, 2003. KAZUHIRO NOGI AFP

In the other semi-final, Poland, the reigning two-time world champion, will face the United States, which dismissed Brazil in the quarterfinals 3 sets to 1.

The Blues will then be among the contenders for the world title which will be awarded at the end of the summer (August 26-September 11, in Poland and Slovenia), the only major trophy missing from their list.

© 2022 AFP