After a strong VNL campaing that resulted in a silver medal, it was only natural for the French national team to be considered a title favorite at this year’s WCH. After all, the team medaled in the last 4-straight World competitions it participated in (Gold at the 2015 World League, Bronze at the 2016 World League, Gold at the 2017 World League, and the before mentioned bronze in this year’s VNL).
However, things just haven’t worked out perfectly for Laurent Tillie‘s team, and now there is a big chance its squad won’t even qualify for the competition’s Final 6, thus missing on its chance to improve its 2014 4th place finish. Injuries have taken its toll in the squad, hampering Earvin Ngapeth and Kevin Le Roux. To make matters worse, the team lost Round 1 games to Brazil and the Netherlands and its Round 2 debut game to Serbia all by 3-2 scorers. It now has a “small 5% chance at advancing” after upsetting Poland 3-1
The 2 scenarios in which France will be able to advance to the Final 6 is as follows:
- 1st Way
- WIN vs. Argentina IN 3 OR 4 SETS
- AND Netherlands LOSS vs. Italy
- AND Poland LOSS vs. Serbia
- 2nd Way
- WIN vs. Poland IN 3 OR 4 SETS
- AND Russia LOSS vs. Finland
- AND Poland LOSS vs. Serbia
- Russia could not match France’s points 18 if tied on 5 wins
A French win against Argentina is very feasible, considering that it will be its easiest pool match-up so far. A Netherlands loss to Italy and a Finland loss to Russia are almost sure things as well. The remaining factor will come down to if the Polish squad can beat the already qualified Serbian team. Will Serbia rest its starters like it did in Round 1? If not, considering the fact that Poland is coming off two straight losses, the 5% chance becomes 75%. We’ll just have to wait and see.
#9 Earvin N’gapeth led France 🇫🇷 scoring 26 points in a remarkable win against Poland 🇵🇱 by 3-1 (25-15, 25-18, 23-25, 25-18) in pool H at the #FIVBMensWCH.
Check out the highlights!
Stats, photos and more here: https://t.co/CLxlaOeQvD#FIVBMensWCH#volleyballWCHs#volleyball pic.twitter.com/eeP3yhORB8— Volleyball World (@FIVBVolleyball) September 22, 2018
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