The last weekend of the Qualification Round in Pool D brought two victories of France over Korea that let them avoid playoffs for the next year’s edition. Italy and Cuba shared points.
Weekend 6, Pool D
France vs. Korea 3-1 (23:25, 27:25, 25:16, 25:15) and 3-0 (25:20, 25:18, 25:22)
The team of France didn’t start this year’s edition of World League well. For the first point they had to wait until the 3rd weekend (2-3 with Cuba), the first match they won during the 4th weekend (3-1 over Italy). As the French coach, Philippe Blain, said: “We start the competition with not enough preparation and not really ready tactically and physically”. Eventually France finished on the 3rd place in the standings after two straight wins over Korea.
“We are naturally satisfied and relieved by these two wins in the last weekend” – commented Blain. „It was absolutely necessary to win this match.” – agrees French captain Nicolas Marechal – “It is a beautiful collective and positive performance for the future.”
Italy vs. Cuba 3-0 (25:21, 25:22, 32:30) and 0-3 (21:25, 20:25, 25:27)
The Italian road in 2011 World League tournament was exactly opposite in respect to the French. However, their fates connected in the 4th weekend. Italy was unbeaten until the first match of the 4th round against France. Then they lost only one, the last match in the Qualification Round against Cuba (0-3). These 10 wins in 12 matches are a proof that the team created by Mauro Berruto was well prepared and motivated for the competition. Italy ended on top in Pool D with 28 points just above Cuba that collected 23 points. These results let both teams to get promotion to the Final Round played from 6-10 of July in Gdansk, Poland.
In Final Eight Italy (6th place in the world ranking) will play in Pool E with Poland (10th), Argentina (8th) and Bulgaria (7th).
Cuba (4th) will play in Pool F with Russia (2nd), Brazil (1st) and USA (5th).
Source: FIVB
