China lose to France in Men's Volleyball Nations League

China lost to France in four sets 22-25, 25-22, 25-23, 25-17 in the final week of the FIVB Men's Volleyball Nations League preliminary phase in Gdansk, Poland on Wednesday.

Opposite Theo Faure was the gamen's top scorer with 20 points, while outside hitters Trevor Clevenot and Yacine Louati contributed 15 points each for France. Wen Zihua scored 13 points for China, including 11 kills, one block, and one ace. Middle blocker Rao Shuhan and outside hitter Wang Bin added seven points each.

France, the Olympic champion, aimed to start the third and final week of the preliminary phase with a victory. However, China surprised the favorite in the opening set, as Andrea Giani's team struggled to establish an advantage but then China shifted the pace.

Two effective spikes by veteran Ji Daoshuai put China ahead 22-20. Shortly after, Wang Bin delivered an ace to extend China's lead. France fought until the end but couldn't turn the set in their favor. A key center attack by Li Yongzhen secured China's set win.

France opened the second set with several powerful serves from Louati, took an early 6-1 lead and controlled the set throughout, with Clevenot scoring six points in the latter part of the set. Wen Zihua's effective block helped China close the gap to 22-24, but Faure's attack sealed it a 25-22 set win for France.

In the third set, Francois Huetz replaced Nicolas Le Goff and made a significant impact for France, earning seven points during his service to help France take a 12-9 lead. Despite nine service errors committed in this set, France ended it 25-23 with Faure's powerful spike.

Giani's team demonstrated their quality in the fourth set, claiming a 25-17 set win and sealing the match victory.

Also on the day, Cuba edged Bulgaria in a five-set thriller 23-25, 25-16, 23-25, 27-25, 15-13. Outside hitter Marlon Yant Herrera scored 23 points for Cuba, equaling Aleksandar Nikolov's tally for Bulgaria.

Later, host Poland defeated Iran in five sets 25-19, 23-25, 25-18, 21-25, 15-8. Outside hitter Kamil Semeniuk scored 21 points for Poland, while opposite Amin Esmaeilnezhad contributed 19 for Iran.