They are therefore unbeatable, or almost. A year after winning the Olympic Games in Tokyo, the Blues of the France team won the Nations League, after a difficult victory in the final against the United States (3-2) this Sunday in Bologna, Italy.
Already winners of the World League (ancestor of the League of Nations) in 2015 and 2017, the Blues have added a line to their list and are full of confidence after their missed Euro in September. The Blues, trained since the end of March by former Italian international Andrea Giani, will now aim for the World Cup, the only one they miss, in a month in Poland and Slovenia (August 26-September 11).
Imperial like their star Earvin Ngapeth in the first two rounds against the Americans, the French however suffered by conceding their first sets in this final phase.
The Americans, who defeated the Poles, double world champions in the semi-finals, thus raised their heads and took advantage of the French inaccuracies to pick up two runs everywhere.
At the beginning of July, the United States had already upset France in the preliminary round. Trailing two sets to nil, the Americans were tied before winning 3-2.
But in the tie break of this Bologna final, the French had the last word. They were able to count on the efficiency of Antoine Brizard in the service and the talent of Earvin Ngapeth, author of 22 points (the best scorer of the game), to take the gold medal.
A European title in 2015, an Olympic title last year, and now three World/Nations Leagues: the Blues confirm their status in world volleyball. Waiting perhaps to adorn themselves with gold again in a few weeks.