Match V France

The French are a quality team, 2nd in world league, 3rd in World Championships and a super strong national league in both divisions and a massive volleyballing tradition. It was always going to be tough to beat a team containing household volleyball names such as Antiga, Granvorka and Pujol. However we gave them one hell of a scare.
The first set looked ominously bad for us. We over passed a few balls and suddenly we were down 4-0. The lead stood at about 4 points the difference for two-thirds of the set, then we made a run. Suddenly the lead was growing smaller. Granvorka made some untimely hitting errors and suddenly it was 24-22. We sided out and then the French set the left side attacker Samica who managed to put the ball perfectly on the sideline in the middle of 2 defenders. 1-0 to France.
The second set started a bit better for us we kept with the French for nearly the whole set. Even with a really bad line call which had Captain Benny swearing in Italian! Some good serving allowed us to take a 22-20 lead. The French fired back and with the help of their super quick libero Exiga were leading 24-23. A sideout for us and then another point for us gave us a set point. However we weren’t able to convert and the consistent French were able to overcome us with the help of a service sub who came on and served an ace straight away. 20-28 and 2-0 to France
Although down 2-0 we were still confident with both sets being so close. We started with bang making some great block touches and outside swings to go up 8-3. We continued our run and went into the second technical with a handy 16-12 lead. We knew the French would make a run at some stage, and they did just after the technical. They came within a couple of points, and suddenly it was 24-22 to us. The French sided out and then a bad pass gave the French a chance to score, and they did making it 24-24. It seemed like all our hard work was going to go to waster but then we bounced back in fighting style to take the set 26-24! 2-1 France
The 4th set saw France regain their composure and looked the better for most of the set. Granvorka was back on song and we were down fairly quickly for most of the set. At 21-17 down all looked all done, but we still kept fighting and with some big serves and some uncanny French errors got within 2. At 24-22 we sided out, and then the French amazingly hit out to keep us in the match. I can’t exactly remember if we had a set point, I think we might have had 1. However we saved many of their match points and it took a deep corner hit from our opposite that landed only maybe an inch out of court to give the relieved French the victory 30-28.
Again disappointing to lose, but we played incredibly well in some areas of the match. Although not making up for the loss it was great to hear praise from the French players and coaches.

“The Australian team played better than us. My team started very well but after that they lost their spirit a bit and became very nervous.” Phillipe Blain, French Head Coach.

"Australia are a very good team and fought to the end. They are not the same team they were two years ago." Stephane Antiga, French Captain.

It was a great fighting spirit from the guys and now we have to make the change from being very competitive to winning matches against the top teams in the world.