The gold-medal match has been decided following an exciting day of volleyball semi-finals at the Olympic Games in Paris 2024, and the men’s finals are getting ready for what could be a historic contest.
Poland, ranked #1 in the world, will compete against the host country,, who are the current Olympic champions, in a match that will go down in history.
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Both teams defeated their opponents on Wednesday, August 7. The day’s action began with Poland’s historic victory over the United States, as the team overcame a 2-1 deficit to end a 43-year drought.
With the victory, they will make their first appearance in an Olympic final since 1976 in Montreal. Then the host country easily defeated Italy in straight sets, 3-0, in front of a crowd that sounded as large as the population of France.
The French have the chance to go down in history as the third team to defend the men’s Olympic championship, and the first since the United States in 1984 and 1988, if they advance to the volleyball final.
On Friday, August 9, at 10:00 a.m. local time in Paris, the two will square off.
Today’s Game: France dances to the Olympic final
The host country, France, is only becoming stronger after a thrilling, come-from-behind victory over Germany in the quarterfinals. They defeated Italy 3-0 to get to the final.
Few could have expected the sweep when the two teams took the court because their quarterfinal stories were nearly identical—both teams overcame 2-0 deficits to eliminate their opponents from medal contention.
The Italians lost 25-20, 25-21, and 25-21 because it seemed like their energy had been used up in the previous game and they lacked the luxury of an electrifying home crowd to rally them.
Earvin Ngapeth of France commented, “It’s our team’s magic.” “We were aware that winning required flawless play. And it was flawless beyond measure. There is still one game to win, and we deserve to get to the championship.”
Wilfredo Leon Venero breaks a 43-year drought to win Player of the Day
Poland’s men’s volleyball team will make it to an Olympic final for the first time since Montreal 1976, mainly because to 31-year-old Wilfredo Leon Venero and his 26 points.
With the United States leading 2-1 into the fourth set, it appeared as though the hope of winning an Olympic gold medal would be fading.
However, the teams traded points until the Poles emerged victorious in the fourth set, leveling the scores heading into the decisive fifth and final set, when their 15-13 triumph preserved the dream. As the fourth set began, Venero remarked, “I told myself you need to start playing and you need to focus.”
“After that, I began to produce.” Since he can remember, the Pole, who was born in Cuba, has had his sights set on the gold.
“I made a self-promise to myself that as soon as I was on the full national team, my goal was to be in the Olympics,” he remarked, having won the junior Olympic Games while playing for the Cuban national team. It has great significance. I waited for a very long time.”
Results for men’s volleyball on August 7: Poland defeats the United States Italy loses against France 3-0.
Men’s semifinal 1 :
Poland defeats the United States 3-2
Men’s semifinal 2:
Italy loses against France 3-0