The Blues will see the quarters, and we would not have bet dearly on it a few days ago. Beaten by the United States and Argentina in their first three games, the French dramatically straightened the bar Friday by beating (3-1) Russia, leader of the group, Friday before snatching two sets in their defeat in Brazil (3-2). A short defeat against the Olympic champions, synonymous with a bonus point, the assurance of finishing in the best four teams in the group and therefore the first qualification for the Olympic top 8 for the Habs.
Dominated in the first set (25-22), the French got back to qualifying with an epic second round, won in 51 minutes on their eleventh set point (39-37) and a furious point from Earvin Ngapeth, author of 29 points on Sunday. A good effort, followed by a decompression in the third set dispatched (25-17) by the South Americans against the Blues who quickly called on their replacements. Rested, the executives then dominated the fourth act (25-21) before cracking at the end of a tie-break which will leave regrets (20-18).
Next meeting Tuesday, for the quarterfinals. Probably against Poland, first of the other group and one favorite for the Olympic coronation.
