Historic Milestone for France and Quarterfinal Triumph for Brazil at the World Championship

France Achieves Historic Quarterfinal Berth

China 1-3 France (20-25, 25-27, 25-22, 20-25)

In a truly monumental moment for French volleyball, the national team has qualified for the quarterfinals of the FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Championship for the first time in over 70 years. Their decisive 3-1 victory in the Round of 16 stage came against two-time champions China, marking a significant upset.

Captain Helena Cazaute, who was instrumental in the win with an impressive 22 points, credited the team`s relentless spirit and collective effort for this historic achievement.

France had previously showcased its potential in the tournament with 3-1 wins over Puerto Rico and Greece, and a spirited five-set contest against volleyball powerhouse Brazil. Against China, opposite spiker Iman Ndiaye added a crucial 20 points, while Amelie Rotar contributed 18 points to secure the win.

Head coach Cesar Hernandez lauded his team`s exceptional blocking and defense, emphasizing that a combination of belief and bravery were pivotal to their success.

“This is just the beginning. The team showed immense belief and bravery today, especially with our blocking and defense. We are not just participating; we are competing at the highest level.”

Cesar Hernandez
Head coach of French National Team

France`s last appearance in the World Championship quarterfinals dates back to 1952. This current squad, however, is not merely content with participating; they are demonstrating their capability to compete at the highest international level, with Coach Hernandez expressing high hopes that this achievement signals a new, promising era for French volleyball.

Brazil Overcomes Dominican Republic to Advance

Brazil 3-1 Dominican Republic (18-25, 25-12, 25-20, 25-12)

Brazil recovered from a challenging start to emphatically defeat the Dominican Republic, thereby securing their own place in the quarterfinals. After dropping the opening set, the Brazilian team responded with an overwhelming display of power, winning three consecutive sets.

Leading the charge for Brazil were Gabi Braga, who delivered an impressive 21 points, and Julia Bergmann, contributing 17 points. For the Dominican team, Gaila González was the top scorer with 15 points, supported by Jineirys Martínez (9 points) and Brayelin Martínez (8 points).

Match Progression:

• First Set: The Dominican squad showcased excellent reception and potent attacks, particularly from Brayelin Martínez, Yonkaira Peña, and Gaila González. They quickly established an 11-9 lead after a 3-0 run. Despite their efforts, Brazil couldn`t manage to close the initial gap.
• Second Set: Brazil launched a dominant 11-1 run, effectively leveraging their formidable blocking game. This momentum was further amplified by a subsequent 5-0 streak, allowing them to convincingly win the set 25-12.
• Third Set: Brazil maintained firm control throughout this set, with strong offensive plays from Gabi Braga enabling them to pull away and secure the lead, despite the Dominican Republic`s attempts to narrow the score.
• Fourth Set: Brazil’s highly effective blocking continued to be a decisive factor, severely limiting the Dominicans to just 12 points and sealing the match victory with an authoritative performance.