Eurovolley2023: Bronze for Slovenia! France defeated at tie break!

2 min read

16 September 2023 Danijel90

The curtains of CEV EuroVolley 2023 at Palazzo dello Sport in Rome have drawn to a close, ending three intense weeks of games across Italy, Bulgaria, North Macedonia and Israel.
In the first match of today’s program, Slovenia managed to secure the bronze medal by overcoming France in an exciting five-set encounter – 2-3 (22:25, 16:25, 25:21, 25:18, 11:15).

| PHOTOGALLERY OF THE MATCH

Despite a problem in the semi-finals, in which Slovenia’s starting setter Gregor Ropret suffered an injury against Poland, the team demonstrated an impeccable resilience and, with Ropret out, Dejan Vinčič from Romania was called upon, giving him only two training sessions with the team.
Vinčič thus played the game against France, playing a great game from start to finish, putting down also the decisive point at 11-14 in fifth set!
With a perfect start, Slovenia take an initial 2-0 lead.
But France refusing to go down without fight, like already happened in semifinal against Italy and, led by Jean Patry, who subbed in for Stephen Boyer, and scoring 10 out of 14 points in the third and fourth sets, re-open the game.

However, Slovenia’s Rok Možič made the difference in the tiebreak, securing 6 very important points.
This win marked Slovenia’s third consecutive podium finish in the European Championships, with silver medals in both 2019 and 2021.
France, despite their valiant efforts, hasn’t claimed a medal win since their 2015 European victory.

About the game, Rok Možič had a stunning game with 26 points to his name through 61% in attack, 2 aces and a block, but the bronze medal was also earned by veterans Urnaut, Cebulj and Pajenk, who now will dream the Olympic Games.

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🏐| CEV EUROVOLLEY 2023 | FINALS
September 16, 2023 | Palazzo dello Sport | Roma 🇮🇹

• 17.30 (Local Time) | France – Slovenia 2-3 (22:25, 16:25, 25:21, 25:18, 11:15)
| PHOTOGALLERY OF THE MATCH