Brest, France, July 4, 2015 - France close the 2015 World League Intercontinental Round with unbroken winning strike after victory 3-1 (23-25, 25-23, 25-18, 25-15) over Korea. Both French opposite players, Mory Sidibe and Antonin Rouzier, ruled at the net and service line scoring 11 and 10 points respectively. Finishing at the top of a pool D, France will play Final Four of Group 2 in Varna with a promising prognosis, aiming to prolong the record of victories.
Korea begin the match with a 8-5 thanks to good play at the net and a few errors made by the hosting team. Their offence works well to keep the 3 points lead at the second technical time out. The advantage increase to 18-13 and forces coach Tillie to call a time out for France. French put a pressure on Korea to make a couple of mistakes and the hosting team is back to 18-20. Yoann Jamuel and Mory Sidibe change Benjamin Toniutti and Antonin Rouzier at 19-21. Korea get a set point at 24-21, but struggle to finish the set and call a time out at 24-23. A Jae-Duck Seo spike closes the set 25-23.
A good performance of the French Rouzier and Ngapeth allow the team to take an early lead at 5-2 and remain 8-6 ahead at the first technical time out. Korea chase the score and ties at 16-16 with Lee Minguy serve, but a good change by Laffite keeps France ahead at 19-17. Le Roux gives his team two set points at 24-22 and France make it even in the match at 25-23.
France get a slight 8-7 lead in the 3rd set. Korea call a time out when Sidibe makes it 10-7 with a powerful spike. France turn on the fifth gear as the substitution players Sidibe and Clevenot maintain their great momentum to 15-8. Blocking play by Laffite and Jaumel takes France safely to the win at 25-18.
Strong start of the last set with Marechal two blocks giving France 8-3 at the technical time out. Domination continues thanks to serve of Sidibe, who puts his team on a safe eight points advantage. Koreans make a few mistakes and give France a 20-10. Clevenot brings the team a first match point and their 12th victory comes at 25-15.
To see the match gallery, read the full match live commentary and post-match comments, click
here.