The French women`s national volleyball team earned their fourth victory in the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) 2025 campaign, defeating fellow Europeans Bulgaria in a four-set match held in Chiba, Japan. The final score settled at 3-1 (25-22, 21-25, 25-17, 25-22), a result that provided a significant boost to France`s position in the competitive VNL standings.
This hard-fought win lifts France to ninth place in the current VNL rankings, holding a 4-7 win-loss record and accumulating 14 points. Meanwhile, Bulgaria remains lower in the table, standing in 13th place with a 3-7 record and 9 points.
Individual Brilliance Fuels French Success
While the victory was undoubtedly a collective team effort, individual performances, particularly in critical statistical categories, proved decisive. Opposite Iman Ndiaye delivered a masterclass in serving, registering an impressive five aces that consistently put pressure on the Bulgarian reception. Ndiaye wasn`t just effective from the service line; she also contributed two crucial kill blocks and finished the match as one of France`s top scorers with a total of 18 points.
Adding to France`s defensive strength at the net was middle blocker Eva Elouga, who was a veritable wall, recording seven decisive kill blocks. Elouga`s defensive prowess was complemented by 13 points scored throughout the encounter.
Captain Helena Cazaute, operating from the outside hitter position, showcased her offensive capabilities with 17 powerful spike kills. Cazaute also added an ace and fittingly secured the match-winning point with a clever block-out hit. Her all-around performance saw her match Ndiaye`s scoring tally, also reaching 18 points.
The French middle blockers were particularly effective. Alongside Elouga, Amandha Sylves demonstrated remarkable efficiency in attack, spiking at a notable 64% success rate. Sylves also added four kill blocks, contributing 11 points to the team`s total. Outside hitter Amelie Rotar further bolstered the scoring with a double-digit contribution of 10 points.
Bulgaria`s Effort and Key Players
Bulgaria, despite the loss, saw contributions from their key players. Outside hitter Aleksandra Milanova led their scoring with 16 points, including two kill blocks. Young opposite Mikaela Stoyanova, a 20-year-old talent, also put up a strong fight, accumulating 15 points with four kill blocks and two aces, showcasing her potential against a strong French side.
Looking Ahead
Following the match, French middle blocker Amandha Sylves acknowledged the difficulty of the win coming after previous games in the leg but emphasized the importance of securing the victory. She also highlighted the team`s belief in their potential for further improvement, stating, “It was difficult, because we were already two games in the legs, but we won and that’s the most important thing – to finish like this without regrets. But this is not our level. We know we can play better…” This perspective underscores the team`s ambition despite achieving a significant win.
The victory over Bulgaria marks a positive step for France in the VNL 2025, demonstrating their ability to perform under pressure and rely on key players delivering standout performances. The tournament continues to unfold with intense competition as teams vie for position.
