Poland, host of the Nations League finals in Lodz, qualified for the semi-finals on Thursday, winning 3-1 against Brazil (18-25, 25-23, 25-22, 25-16). The Poles never let up against the Brazilians of Bernardinho, short-lived coach of the French team (August 2021-March 2022), visibly blunted by a month of intense competition, and by their trip from the Philippines on Monday.
A probable France-Poland duel in the semi-finals
Constantly dominated in the first set, Wilfredo Leon (18 points, including two blocks and two aces) and his teammates took the second in the money-time, before taking the match into their own hands, thanks to a timeout taken by Nikola Grbic at 1-5 in the third (6-6, 19-12). The young Brazilian point guard Darlan, 22, scored 21 points (three blocks, one ace), while his team conceded 28 fouls. Poland will face the winner of the quarter-final between France and Italy on Saturday in the semi-finals (Friday at 5 p.m., live on the L’Équipe channel).
Earlier in the day, Japan beat Canada in three sets (26-24, 25-18, 26-24). Philippe Blain’s players were able to count on forward Yuki Ishikawa, who scored 26 points (including three blocks and three aces). They will face the winner of the last quarter (Friday, 8 p.m.) between Argentina and Slovenia, the future opponent of Les Bleus at the Olympic Games.
