Euro 2023 | France beat Portugal in four sets (25-21, 25-27, 25-19, 25-15)

France continues. On Thursday, the Blues defeated Portugal (3-1 (25-21, 25-27, 25-19, 25-15)), in the second day of the group stage of the European Volleyball Championship. And in Tel Aviv, Israel, the French once again showed their seriousness, despite losing the first set in the competition, to the remarkable Portuguese. In the Group D classification, Andrea Gianni’s followers are in sole control, one step ahead of their opponents today.

The French team certainly thought they could finish the game more quickly. But it didn’t turn out that way in the end. The Portuguese are very wrong in the legs. So much so that they managed to get the second set. A round where the French sometimes took the lead, but more often than not they ran behind the score. However, when the score was 22-24, the Blues certainly thought they had done the hard part, salvaging the first two set points. First after an error on Andre Marquez’s serve, then thanks to an overwhelming serve from Yassine Al Lawati, despite the challenge requested by their opponents. The Portuguese, led by the best scorer of the match, Alexandre Ferreira (13 points), concluded their fourth opportunity (25-27).

However, there is really nothing to worry about, in the Tricolor Clan. The Olympic champions settled the match with the right end, winning the first set. After finally controlling the score 6-5, the HAPS team increased their lead to +7 (20-13), to end up in the end (25-21). Andrea Gianni’s men have once again shown their difficulties in serving, as they did the day before against Turkey.

Fears emerged especially in the third round. But in this group, France, led by striker Timothy Karl, the top scorer of the match (19 points, including 16 in attack) when he participated only in the middle of the second set, took matters directly into their own hands. Hands down, in terms of score. Which prevented the Portuguese from returning. Those who have gradually lowered their feet by showing boundaries on a physical level. France, the 2015 European champions, took the opportunity to advance by two sets against one (19-25).

And in the fourth and final round, the Blues were revealed. At 13-8, Andrea Gianni brings in Irvin Ngapith. The France star has a knee injury and has not played for three months. The Blues concluded the meeting with the second point of the ten match points (25-15). To achieve the second successive victory and take a big step towards the round of 16. Their next duel is scheduled for Saturday night (7:30 pm) against Israel.