The France women’s national volleyball team launched their European Championship campaign in dominant fashion on Friday, sweeping Slovakia in straight sets (25-13, 25-21, 25-13) at Göteborg, according to match reports from tournament coverage.
Led by an impressive performance from tournament debutant Cyrielle Depie and a stifling defensive block, Les Bleues controlled the tempo from the opening whistle to secure a decisive victory in their tournament opener. The French squad demonstrated superior technical variety and defensive cohesion, neutralizing Slovakian offensive sequences across all three frames.
Depie and the French Attack Overwhelm Slovakia in Opening Set
France set the tone early in the first set, racing to a 25-13 win behind sharp attacking and relentless defensive pressure. Cyrielle Depie, playing in her first international tournament match, orchestrated a brilliant opening frame characterized by precise vision and tactical variation, including a clever lobbed shot that wrong-footed the Slovakian defense. The French block established dominance early, shutting down opposing hitters and forcing unforced errors from the Slovak side.
According to match accounts, defensive specialist Amandine Giardino anchored the back court with crucial reflex digs, allowing the French offense to transition quickly. Halimatou Bah contributed heavily from the center, using powerful attacks at point-blank range to keep the pressure high as France coasted through the first set.
Second-Set Push Tests French Resilience
Slovakia mounted a stronger challenge in the second frame, tightening the score and briefly leveling at 3-3 and later threatening during a tense rally that went to the Slovak side. However, France regained control through disciplined blocking and steady play from the pins.
As reported by live match trackers, the French team weathered a mid-set push by maintaining a solid six-point cushion at 12-6 before closing out the set 25-21. Defensive efforts from Danard-Selosse and quick adjustments at the net prevented Slovakia from establishing any sustained momentum, leaving the French squad one set away from a clean sweep.
A Clinical Finish in Set Three
The third set proved to be a continuation of French supremacy. Opening with a quick point from Depie, Les Bleues quickly built an insurmountable lead, stretching the margin to 16-7 and forcing Slovakia into desperate, wayward offensive shots.
Eva Elouga added key one-on-one blocks, while young prospect Lilou Ratahiry found the far corner for a point during her first minutes in a major tournament. Amandha Sylves secured the final point of the match with an emphatic ace, capping off the 25-13 third set and sealing the 3-0 sweep.
The victory provides the French team with an ideal start to the European Championship, validating their preparation and giving the squad crucial momentum ahead of their upcoming pool-play fixtures.
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