TOP SCORER. Theo Faure of France (left) against Tobias Brand of Germany in a file photo of the Men's Volleyball Nations League. Faure scored 29 points as France ended its Week 3-Manila stint at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Sunday (June 23, 2023) with a 25-23, 27-29, 13-25, 25-19, 18-16 win over Brazil. (VNL photo)
MANILA – Reigning Olympic champion France played steadier in the homestretch to beat Brazil, 25-23, 27-29, 13-25, 25-19, 18-16, in the Men's Volleyball Nations League (VNL) Week 3 at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Sunday.
Even before playing here, France (8-4) and Brazil (6-6) have already advanced to the Final Phase to be held in Lodz, Poland on June 27 to 30.
Opposite spiker Theo Faure scored 29 points on 25 kills, three services aces and one block in leading his team to victory.
Outside hitter Kevin Tillie chipped in 14 points while outside hitter Yacine Louati, and middle blocker Quentin Jouffroy had eight points each in the two-hour and 28-minute encounter.
Brazil was paced by skipper Ricardo Lucarelli, who had 14 kills, three blocks and one service ace.
Opposite spiker Alan Souza produced 15 points, including six blocks, while outside hitter Adriano Fernandes had 11 kills.
Earlier, Moritz Karlitzek scored 21 points on 17 kills, two blocks and two services aces to lead Germany to a 25-20, 25-23, 25-20 win over Iran.
“We’re super happy that we could finish the VNL this year for us with the victory and go home with a good feeling,” the 27-year-old Karlitzek, who plays for Polish club Indykpol AZS Olsztyn, said.
“The tournament was well-organized, and we love playing in front of the crowd. The fans, all the time, were supporting us, so I would like to thank them,” he added.
Moritz Reichert contributed 13 kills while outside hitter Ruben Schott and middle blocker Tobias Krick added four points each for the Germans, who needed one hour and 29 minutes to win the match. They have a 5-7 win-loss record.
Amin Esmaeilnezhad led the Iranians with 17 attacks and two blocks while Hossein Khanzadeh Firouzjah Poriya scored on 10 attacks. (PNA)
