The 2026 FIVB Volleyball Nations League continued with a compelling intercontinental clash as France faced Serbia on June 28. In a match that showcased the reigning Olympic champions’ tactical discipline, France delivered a commanding performance, securing a straight-sets victory (3-0) over a resilient Serbian side. The result reinforced Les Bleus’ status as one of the tournament’s frontrunners and highlighted their depth in both attack and defense.

Match Overview

Played at a neutral venue with the early morning start time of 02:30 local time, the contest saw France take control from the opening serve. The French side, known for their fast-paced system and powerful serving, immediately put pressure on Serbia’s reception. Despite a valiant effort from the Serbian block, France’s efficiency in transition proved decisive. The set scores—25-21, 25-19, and 25-23—reflected a match where France never trailed by more than two points, demonstrating their composure under pressure.

Key Moments

• First Set (25-21): France opened with a 5-0 run, powered by two aces from Earvin Ngapeth. Serbia fought back to 14-14 behind middle blocker Marko Podraščanin, but Ngapeth’s sharp angles from the left side restored France’s lead.
• Second Set (25-19): The French block found its rhythm, with Barthélémy Chinenyeze rejecting three Serbian attacks early. Serbia’s outside hitters struggled to find gaps, and France stretched the margin to 18-12, cruising to a 2-0 advantage.
• Third Set (25-23): Serbia, facing elimination, upped their serving pressure and led 20-18. However, France’s experience prevailed: a time-out from coach Andrea Giani sparked a 4-0 run, and a diving save from setter Antoine Brizard set up the match point.

Standout Players

Outside hitter Trévor Clévenot led France with 17 points (12 kills, 3 blocks, 2 aces), earning Player of the Match honors. His combination of power and precision from the back row troubled Serbia’s defense. For Serbia, opposite Aleksandar Atanasijević contributed 15 points but was limited to a modest .286 hitting percentage by France’s disciplined block. Libero Jenia Grebennikov anchored France’s defense with 12 digs, keeping Serbia’s serves honest.

Impact on the VNL Standings

The victory improved France’s record to 8-2, placing them second in the VNL preliminary round table behind only Poland. Serbia, now at 5-5, slipped to eighth, with their playoff qualification hopes hanging in the balance. The result also extended France’s winning streak against Serbia in VNL play to four matches, underlining their recent dominance in this rivalry.

With the preliminary phase entering its final week, France’s clean sweep sends a strong message to contenders like Brazil and Italy. Serbia, on the other hand, must regroup quickly for their upcoming matches against Japan and Argentina to keep their Finals berth alive.