Tokyo 2021: first success for French volleyball players against Tunisia

Published on : 07/26/2021 – 11:19

First success at the Tokyo Games for French volleyball players. The Blues defeated against Tunisia, Monday July 26, a victory in three sets (25-21, 25-11, 25-22), two days after their rout in three dry innings against the United States.

This victory relaunches the tournament of the Earvin Ngapeth gang, in search of Japan for a first Olympic medal. To see the quarterfinals first, Laurent Tillie’s men must rank among the top four in their group of six, where Argentina, Russia (under neutral flag) and Brazil await them in order.

The Tunisians beaten, the Blues must now win against the Argentines on Wednesday, other most affordable opponents of the group. And even if successful, the ghost of Rio will not be quite chased away. At the 2016 Olympics, their heads were full of ambitions but left in the first round, two victories were not enough for them.

After a timid start that allowed Tunisia to lead 14-13 in the first set, “Team Yavbou” picked up the pace at the end of the round. Earvin Ngapeth concluded with a feint that deceived the Tunisian defense. Reassured, the most talented generation of volleyball demolished their opponent in the next set (21-11) inflicting a 7-0 in particular. Even the Brazilians, favorites of the Olympic tournament with the Poles, had not left so few points to the Tunisians during their speedy victory on Saturday (25-22, 25-20, 25-15).

More responsive and determined against (8 winners against 2 on Saturday), better in service, the Blues displayed a conquering face. Also at the cost of changes, captain Benjamin Toniutti, winner of the European Championship (2015) and two World Leagues (2015 and 2017), already released early against the United States, did not come into play on Monday.

With AFP