Useful defeat
Defeat from France is painful, but not fatal, therefore - useful. After all, all, what does not kill, makes us stronger. France needed more, Ngapeth and Co. on the brink of the abyss played a game of crazy quality.
Ours managed in the second set to pass the opponent over with power on the grid, and after two consecutive blocks at the beginning of the third batch, it seemed from Volvich and Volkov, what - will squeeze. The French bent down, but did not break down and continued to keep the game at the level of the Olympiad playoffs, while we rolled back. Yes, and it was clear from emotions - we can't stand it or we don't want to spill everything to the bottom. I think, the subconscious feeling of tournament comfort worked and, that is, no need to tear the wires, play off the knife.
hope, that Kluka did not break. Sammelvuo, feeling the team spirit, did not artificially introduce her to cheerfulness, and tried to rectify the situation by an unprecedented rotation (all played!). It didn't work out - it's not scary, but sniffed, what is called, gunpowder.
By the game admiration, of course, calls Zhenya Grebennikov, the best libero in the world at the moment. It was he who introduced the partners to the state of "anything is possible". Already in the first set, he completely closed Mikhailov's line, and also pulled out some dead balls in other areas. By the way, I specifically observe the actions of Golubev when attacking a diagonal opponent in the line - he, it seems, never even caught a ball. It is extremely difficult to do, hiding behind a block, and dodging the ball, if he suddenly flies in your direction.
Our libero, Unfortunately, the weak link of the team - especially against the background of Grebennikov. In other matches, it was possible to compensate, not today. One of his best matches played by Ngapeth, as, however, and Patrie, and Kleveno, and Tonyutti, and both central. Against the background of such a France, we felt, what awaits us in the playoffs - this is how everyone will fight, and Canada (if it hits) and Poland. Very helpful.
Photo: Reuters
