France return to the top of the VNL podium after having first won gold in 2022.
France are champions once more after closing out Japan in four sets in the 2024 VNL Finals, 25-23, 18-25, 25-23, 25-23, at a crowded Atlas Arena in Poland on Monday, July 1.
The victory marked France’s return to the top of the VNL podium, having first won gold in 2022 and previously earning silver in 2018 and bronze in 2021.
With this triumph, France moved up to no. 4 in the FIVB world rankings, accumulating 344.00 points, ahead of Paris 2024, where the French are hosts and defending champions.
During the Preliminary Phase, France struggled to form but still managed to advance to the VNL Finals in sixth place with an 8-4 record.
The French then hit their stride in Lódz, defeating the top three teams by world rankings to secure the trophy.
Despite the loss in the final, Japan improved on its bronze-medal performance from 2023. The Japanese also made it to the gold medal match of a major international tournament for the first time since their silver medal at the 1977 FIVB World Cup.
Japan also stays firmly as the world no. 2 team with 361.02 points.
Opposite hitter Jean Patry was pivotal in the gold medal match, leading all scorers with 24 points built on 20 attacks, three blocks, and one service ace for France.
Kevin Tillie contributed significantly off the bench with 13 points, while outside hitter Yacine Louati added 11 markers.
Setter Antoine Brizard was hailed the MVP and Best Setter in the VNL 2024 Dream Team.
On Japan's side, team captain Yuki Ishikawa excelled with 17 points, followed by opposite Yuji Nishida with 11 points. Kento Miyaura also reached double digits, scoring 10 points off the bench.
Earlier in the day, Poland delighted over 10,000 fans in the Atlas Arena by securing another VNL medal, their fifth in five years, by defeating Slovenia in straight sets, 26-24, 25-16, 25-17, in the bronze medal match.
Poland, winners in 2023 and silver medalists in 2021, retained the top spot in the world rankings before the Olympics, with a total of 422.61 points. Slovenia, which had risen to third place, is now fifth with 340.39 points.
Star outside hitter Wilfredo Leon was instrumental in Poland’s victory, scoring 18 points on 13 attacks, three blocks, and two service aces. Tomasz Fornal and Bartosz Kurek also scored in double digits with 11 and 10 points, respectively.
Slovenia, making their first Final Four appearance in the VNL this season, received 14 points from outside hitter Klemen Cebulj and 11 from opposite Toncek Štern.
As VNL 2024 ends, the four semifinalists and other qualified men's national teams have just under four weeks to prepare for the Olympics in Paris, which will start July 27 at the South Paris Arena.