Lyon, France, June 19, 2009 - The support of 5,000 fans at a packed Lyon Sports Hall "Gerland" wasn't enough of an advantage for France on Friday, as they lost in five sets to Argentina in the 2009 FIVB World League.

Argentina won 25-19, 19-25, 22-25, 25-20, 15-9.

In the first set, Philippe Blain's players took the advantage at the first TTO, 8-7. Both teams stayed close (12-12) until France took a 14-12 advantage, but Argentina came back to level 14-14. Blain took his first TM 2 points later (14-16). With an efficient attack, Marechal finally stopped an onslaught from Argentina, which had won 5 points in a row. Argentina was leading 20-17 and with no answers from France, won the first set 25-19.

Blain must have told his player to be more aggressive, and the Blues started well at 5-2. But Argentina won the next 3 points, 5-5 before France did the same to lead 8-5 to the first TTO. Argentina stayed close until the second TTO, 16-13. Weber called his players for a TM at 18-14 but Vadeleux served the first ace of the match to make it 20-15. France won the set after a fantastic rally was concluded by Loïc Geiler with a perfect block, 25-19.

The atmosphere was hot with a DJ named Djee keeping the crowd in good form througout. In the third set, Weber took his first TO at 6-3 for France in an attempt at breaking their rhythm. But France kept motivated and soon led 8-5. Argentina stayed close at 13-14 but France reached the second TMO with a 2 points advantage 16-14. Rouzier offered comfort to his teammates with powerful attacks. Vadeleux unleashed his special ace called the "roucoulette" to make it 21-16. In the money-time, French won the most important point to take a decisive advantage (23-19) and secure the third set 25-22 in 31 minutes.

Weber decided to change his libero to Gonzales from Meana Place to start the fourth set. Argentina was leading at the first TTO (8-6) and kept its 2 point advantage until 14-12 when France staged a comeback to equalize at 15-15. Marechal missed his service and Argentina had a one-point advantage by the second TTO. But Argentina found the energy to keep the pressure on the hosts. Rouzier missed an attack prompting Blain to take a TO even though his team was leading 16-19. France narrowed the gap (19-21), prompting Weber to call a TO. It was a good decision, as Argentina added two more points. Pujol came on and Bazin took the lead in this crunch period. Moreau, the French captain, also came off the bench. But Argentina won the fourth set 25-20 to force a tie-break--the third in three games for Argentina, who won one and lost the other in Korea.

In the tie-break, Argentina led early, 3-1. France equalized at 3-3 but lost the next 2 points. France won a long rally to survive make it 4-5. Arroyo missed an attack at the net as France and Argentina traded leads. At 7-7 Argentina added two points and maintained the difference to lead 10-8. Loïc Geiler missed a reception and the gap increased to three points (12-9) before Argentina concluded the game 15-9.