France have now five wins in ten matches (15 points) and rank ninth, with the same number of victories as the Netherlands, but two points less. If they win their last two matches, the French will qualify for the Finals. Serbia went down from ninth to tenth, but remain in the mix with five wins and 13 points.
“I think the team started to play better in the second set and am really happy because this victory is important for us,” middle blocker Daryl Bultor said. “Serbia were direct opponents for us and now we caught them. We still have two matches and will need to win to advance. We’ll keep playing together and enjoying it and we’ll see where it takes us.”
Olympic champions Jean Patry and Trevor Clevenot led the French offense, combining for 35 points – the opposite led all scorers with 18 (16 kills, two blocks), one more than the outside hitter, who got his entire production with kills. Bultor, who came off the bench in the second set, also played a major role in the French victory, producing 13 points (nine kills, four blocks).
