France squeaks past Bulgaria 3-2: FIVB Boy’s Youth World Championship
The French and the Bulgarians teams met each other on August 26th in Bahia Blanca, Argentina to compete in a Pool F match of the FIVB Boy’s Youth World Championship. The resulting competition took on thrilling tones as it went on for five gruelling
sets. By the time that the day was done, it was the French that were celebrating their comeback win over the Bulgarians by 3-2.
The first two sets were both tough with France keeping pace with Bulgaria until the very end. Bulgaria managed to top both sets and start the third one oozing with confidence. However, the French steadily gained momentum and were able to bag a win by a significant
margin. The fourth set was tough but rested with the French as they brought the game to a decisive fifth set. The last set was close at the start but France sealed the deal and won the match at the following final set scores: 22-25, 22-25, 25-17, 25-22 and
15-11.
The French coach, Jean-Manual Leprovost, gave the following statements at the press conference conducted after the match had reached its close: “This game was very important. We knew the match was going to be very difficult. I'm so happy because we are among
the best four teams. The key of the match was the serve but in the first two sets we had a lot of unforced errors. Our team is like a family and I'm proud of this accomplishment.”
On the other hand, the Bulgarian coach Miroslav Zhivkov shared his views by making these comments: “Congratulations to the France team and their coach. Both teams played a real match of volleyball with a high level. France could break our blocks and defence
and they deserved to win.”
The Bulgarians got the lead at the first technical time out and kept it with themselves until 16-12. The French could do nothing except trail behind all the way as the Bulgarians earned a win at 25-22. The second set commenced in much the same way as the
previous one with Bulgaria leading at 16-15. The French fell to making errors that cost them second set at 22-25.
The loss of the first two sets of the game roused the French into stepping up and challenging the Bulgarians. By the time the second technical time out came around, the French were leading at 16-11. After that, it was only a matter of time before France
could bag the set at 25-17.
The momentum generated by winning the third set took the French to a 8-3 lead in the fourth. The Bulgarians tried to close in the gap and got the lead at 16-15 but it did not last long as the French sped past them to win the set at 25-22.
The fifth set saw the French leading at 5-1 and then later at 8-1. Bulgaria was able to close in the gap at 14-11 but the French prevailed in securing a win at 15-11.
Their recent win has given France six points in Pool F.
Tags: