France exacts revenge on Japan to rule 2024 VNL

France secured its sweet revenge against its elimination round tormentor Japan by eking out a 25-23, 18-25, 25-23, 25-23 win in their finals duel in the 2024 Men's Volleyball Nations League (VNL) early Monday in Poland.

France banked on the duo of Jean Patry and Kevin Tillie in avenging their previous loss to Japan in the preliminaries, where Ryujin Nippon staged a wild five-set comeback in their clash during the Manila leg behind Yuki Ishikawa's 33-point outburst.  

But the French side made sure they wouldn't be denied this time around with opposite hitter Patry dropping 24 attacks anchored on 20 attacks, three blocks, and one ace while Tillie chipped in 13 markers as France captured its second VNL championship after also ruling the 2022 edition.

Patry went on winning the Best Opposite award while his teammates Nicolas Le Goff and Antoine Brizard were named Best Middle Blocker and Best Setter, respectively. Brizard also made history by winning the MVP honors.

The win came just a month before France sees action in the 2024 Paris Olympics, which it will host from July 26 to August 11.

Meanwhile, Japan will take home the silver medal for the first time in VNL history, eclipsing its bronze medal finish in the previous edition.

Team captain Ishikawa starred anew with 17 points en route to bagging the Best Outside Hitter award as the lefty Yuji Nishida chipped in 11 markers in the loss.

—Bea Micaller/JMB, GMA Integrated News