Two-time Olympic defending champions France hardly broke a sweat against South Korea in their Pool C assignment at the FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship.
Reigning double Olympic champions France flexed their might, handily beating South Korea in straight sets, 25-12, 25-18, 25-16, in Pool C action of the 2025 FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sunday.
France, who finished 5th in the last edition of the World Championship, dominated from start to finish against the lower-ranked South Koreans.
The towering Jean Patry led the dominant showing by France with 16 points, built off of 11 attacks, two blocks, and three aces.
France needed just a little over an hour to make a strong opening statement. Thanks to the earlier match between Argentina and Finland stretching to five sets, the French take the early lead in Pool C in terms of points.
France’s dominance was most apparent in serve and block, coming up with 11 rejections and 10 service aces.
Heo Subong was the only bright spot for Korea with eight markers in the losing effort.
France targets 2-0 against Finland on Tuesday, September 16, still at the Araneta Coliseum.
Korea, who are returning to the World Championship for the first time since 2014, will gun for their first win against Argentina also on Tuesday.
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Luisa Morales is a sports writer with a special interest in promoting women’s sports.
Her coverage highlights include the UAAP, PVL, Southeast Asian Games, and the FIBA World Cup. She also follows Alex Eala, the Philippine women’s national football team, and mixed martial arts.