VNL 2024: France halts Iran streak to boost Final Eight push

Team France celebrates a win during VNL 2024 Week 3 game in Manila. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Jean Patry led France’s bounce-back win to send Iran crashing back to earth,  25-21, 25-17, 25-20, in the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) Week 3 on Friday at Mall of Asia Arena.

Following a tough loss to Germany two days ago, Patry dropped 16 points off 13 attacks, two blocks, and an ace as the French Spikers rose to the fourth seed with a 7-3 record and solidified their Final Eight chances. 

“It was important for us to play a good game today after one day’s rest. It was important to find a new victory and continue to work for our goal to go in the Finals. We are happy, it was a great match and we worked well,”  said Patry, who also enjoyed the energy of the Filipino fans.

VNL 2024 SCHEDULE: Week 3 Manila, Philippines leg

“The Philippine fans are amazing. They are here, they like the atmosphere. They like to be in the match, they like to support, so the fans are amazing.”

Trevor Clevenot also delivered the goods for France with 12 points, while Yacine Louati added nine points.

“It was important, I think, for our confidence. It’s important after you lose to [get a] win, I think we played a good game,” Clevenot said. “The most important is three points always and we’re happy to win and we have to focus now on the next game, it will be a really difficult game so, this is the point.”

READ: VNL 2024: Germany beats France, stays in Final Eight hunt

France battles crowd darling Japan on Saturday evening at 7 p.m.

Iran’s two-game winning streak in its third straight game as Milad Ebadipour was the lone double-digit scorer with 10 points, as Amin Esmaeilnezhad, who erupted for 29 points in their win over the Netherlands, was limited to just seven points.

Iran, which slid to a 2-9 card, will wrap up its VNL campaign against Germany on Sunday at 11 a.m.