France open the Wagner Memorial 2026 with a convincing 3–0 victory over USA
2 min read
Screenshot
If you wish to publish an Italian translation of this article, any of our other articles, or ANY PART OF THEM, please cite the original source. PLAGIARISM IS ILLEGAL!
France made the perfect start to the Hubert Jerzy Wagner Memorial, overcoming the United States 3–0 (28:26, 25:21, 25:23) in the opening match of the prestigious tournament in Poland.
The final score suggests a more comfortable evening than France actually experienced. The USA had its chances, particularly in a fiercely contested first set, but Andrea Giani’s Olympic champions proved more composed when the crucial points arrived, finding a way to close out all three sets.
The Americans looked set to take the opening set after building a 17–13 lead, with Jake Hanes playing a prominent role in their attack. The USA maintained its advantage deep into the set and even earned a chance to finish it off. Aaron Russell, however, could not convert the set point, and France immediately seized the opportunity. The Olympic champions turned the momentum around and eventually claimed the set 28–26.
France had greater control in the second set. Antoine Brizard put pressure on the American reception with a strong serving run, helping his team build a 20–16 advantage. This time, there was no late comeback. France stayed composed and closed out the set 25–21, with a block against Russell providing the final point.
The USA refused to disappear quietly in the third set. Hanes remained one of the Americans’ most effective weapons, but France had an answer in Théo Faure, who repeatedly kept his team within reach of victory. With the score at 23–22, the French once again showed their ability to handle the pressure of the closing stages. Mathis Henno delivered the final point to seal the set 25–23 and complete the 3–0 victory.
Jake Hanes finished as the match’s top scorer with 14 points for the USA, while Aaron Russell added 12. For France, Mathis Henno led the way with 12 points, followed by Trevor Clevenot with 10 and Faure with nine.
The result gives the Olympic champions an ideal opening to the Wagner Memorial, but the tournament is only getting started.
The programme continues with the hosts Poland taking on Slovenia in the second match of the opening day.
For France, meanwhile, the message is already clear: even when the game becomes tight, this is a team that knows how to win the points that matter most.
__________________
👀|QUICK LINKS
• All International news 🗞️
• Multimedia
• Facebook
• Instagram
__________________
