Brazil faced a significant challenge from France in the latest Women`s Volleyball Nations League match held in Chiba, Japan. The favored Brazilians were pushed to the full five sets but ultimately secured a hard-fought victory, preventing what would have been a notable upset attempt by the French side.
The encounter proved to be a true rollercoaster, with Brazil twice trailing by a set score before mounting a comeback. The final result stood at 3-2 in Brazil`s favour (23-25, 25-21, 17-25, 25-21, 15-11), a scoreline indicative of the intense battle waged on the court and the narrow margins separating the two teams.
Brazil`s success was heavily reliant on their formidable performance at the net. The team collectively registered an impressive 17 kill blocks, effectively stifling numerous French attacks. Middle blocker Diana Alecrim was the undeniable standout performer in this defensive aspect, personally accounting for a remarkable nine of those blocks. Crucially, Diana initiated the decisive fifth set with three consecutive blocks, establishing an early 3-0 lead that France subsequently struggled to overcome, highlighting the strategic impact of this defensive wall.
Supporting Diana`s defensive efforts were other key Brazilian players. Fellow middle blocker, 22-year-old Julia Kudiess, contributed six blocks and demonstrated efficiency in attack with a 61% success rate, leading Brazil`s scoring with a total of 17 points. Team captain and star outside hitter, Gabriela Guimaraes (Gabi), added 13 points to the tally, contributing across multiple skills despite the team`s acknowledged struggles.
France, despite falling short of the upset, delivered a valiant effort, spearheaded by the exceptional offensive performance of outside hitter Helena Cazaute. Cazaute was a constant threat throughout the match, recording a match-high 33 points, which included two aces, showcasing her extensive offensive arsenal. Opposite Iman Ndiaye also made a significant contribution for France, putting away 19 points, including three aces and a block.
Commenting on the demanding match, Brazil`s captain Gabi admitted the team wasn`t at its peak performance level. “Of course, we know that we didn’t play our best today,” she stated, acknowledging France`s strong play, particularly Cazaute`s ability to find ways past their block and defense. However, she praised her team`s indispensable resilience: “But the team fought and that’s the most important. We were losing 2-1, but we didn’t give up.” Gabi highlighted areas for improvement, including service execution and reducing unforced errors, before concluding on a characteristic note: “But this is Brazilian spirit – never give up and always fight for every ball.”
With this victory, Brazil improves its record to 9 wins and 1 loss, accumulating 25 points and solidifying their position in second place in the VNL standings. France, earning a point from the five-set loss, now stands at 3 wins and 7 losses with 11 points, remaining in 11th place. The tournament action in Chiba, Japan, continues as teams fiercely compete for crucial points needed to qualify for the Finals.
