France beat Japan 3-1 (25-14, 27-29, 25-18, 25-23) - duration 1:44
20-Jul, start time: 20:01, end time: 21:45 - Attendance: 1,944 Fourth success in a row for France over Japan
Saturday in Saint-Brieuc, France signed their fourth victory in a row at the expense of Japan, and their seventh in the 2002 World League to underline their role as table leaders in Pool D. The return of Daquin strengthened the attacking power of the French and allowed them to squeeze the fighting spirit of the Japanese. After cruising through the first set 25-14, the French side let their concentration and their rhythm slip and allowed Japan to slip back into the second set. They led at 15-9 and 25-24 and then at two set balls, France caved in to an ace by Yamamura allowing the Japanese to sneak ahead 25-26 and then conceded the set after a remarkable attack by Yamamoto. France however then gave no ground and charged through the remaining sets unchallenged, turning on a fine performance of superior blocking and receiving to take victory in one hour 44 minutes. /mh
