Show must go on! France overpowers Argentina and still has a chance to qualify for the finals!

Varna, Bulgaria, September 23, 2018 – France achieved fifth win and still has a chance to qualify for the Finals at the 2018 FIVB Men’s World Championship! “Les Bleus” overpowered Argentina 3-1 (25-16, 25-20, 26-28, 25-19) and rise to the second place in Pool H with 18 points, before the last match in the Palace of Culture and Sports between Poland and Serbia.

In the beginning France played like a real volleyball machine and won the opening set by 25-16! Stephen Boyer and Earvin Ngapeth were the most prolific French players in attack scoring 6 and 5 points each.

In the first minutes of the second set Argentina showed great defense but Earvin Ngapeth stole the show again with an amazing spike from the middle to make the result 7-5. A few minutes later Benjamin Toniutti impressed with a great single block (17-15), Ngapeth amazed with a powerful spike (21-18) and the Europeans were two sets ahead after 25-20.

The third set was completely different story. The legendary Argentinian coach Julio Velasco made some substitutions which gave a result. The South Americans reduced the unforced errors, started to play pretty well in attack and with good block took a 5-point advantage (13-8). Despite the difficult situation, the players coached by Laurent Tillie managed to stabilize their performance and after a powerful ace by Ngapeth, the Europeans were just one point behind (19-20). In the end Kevin Tillie was the player who was unstoppable in attack, but the Argentinians managed to keep their lead and to win the set by 28-26.

In the beginning of the fourth set France took a huge 6-point advantage (10-4). Ngapeth continued to be absolutely brilliant in attack and the Europeans achieved their second victory in the Palace of Culture and Sports after 25-19.

Earvin Ngapeth topped the list of the scorers with 28 points. Kevin Tillie added 15. For Argentina Agustin Loser finished with 15.

Source: http://www.fivb.org