World League 2003

France beat Czech Republic 3-0 (25-18, 25-22, 25-22) - duration 1:27
17-May, start time: 20:07, end time: 21:34 - Attendance: 4,732
France complete double against the Czech Republic
The experience and big match temperament of France proved too much for World League debutants the Czech Republic, as the home side ran out straight set winners 25-18, 25-22 25-22.

France continued from where they left off from Friday night's 3-1 win, with a comprehensive team game, seldom allowing the visitors in to the match.

Captain Dominique Daquin led his troops superbly while the old heads of Laurent Capet and Frantz Granvorka contributed with telling blows to give the local crowd of 5,000 plenty to cheer about.

After leading 16-13 France never let the Czech Republic back in and wrapped up the first set courtesy of a typical Capet smash.

The Czech Republic then pushed France all the way in the second set with the twin towers of Michal Rak and Martin Lebl standing out in both attack and defense until Jean-Charles Monneraye, in only his third match for the French senior side, stepped up with some telling defensive blocks and lethal spikes to give France the set by only three points.

The third set was a replica of the second with France having to battle back from 12-14 down to wrap up the set and the game with a smash from Vincent Montmeat to send the crowd home happy.
RB