The big blow from Poitiers by Earvin Ngapeth, winner at Chaumont

Despite an excellent start (8-1), Chaumont, five times finalist in the last seven editions, gradually collapsed in the face of the opposing block and the incredible ability of Earvin Ngapeth (13 points) to dive hard into the money -time. Coming out of his box at the very end of the first set to bring his team level (18-18), before concluding the round with a relentless smash, breaking up the duel which had until then been underway between the sharp Pierre Toledo (15 points, 1 block) and Dusan Nikolic (14 points, 2 aces, 4 blocks), the MVP of the Olympic tournament air-conditioned an almost full Palestra for the occasion.