From our special correspondent in Tokyo
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TOPS
Earvin Ngapeth on a cloud
The leader of the Blues suffering from a knee had promised that he would have gas in the final. He applied from the outset to chase the nervousness of his teammates. Spectacular and efficient (8 points in the 1st set). Capable of incredible defenses, judicious counters, sharp or placed attacks. In passing, he offered himself the fastest service (121 km / h) and registered as the most prolific striker of the match (26 points). The French volleyball star hovered over the final. Irresistible.
The Russian spring
Russia has one of the most powerful forces, offers an extremely physical game. The strength and solidarity of the Blues, even during the most complicated moments, first cut the legs of an experienced workforce, then by dint of patience coach Tuomas Sammuelvo found the solution. Russia, which had been beaten in groups by France (3-1), demonstrated its strength and fought to the end for a new gold medal but the Blues held on in the tie-break.
Antoine Brizard, the metronome
He dislodged captain Benjamin Toniutti and orchestrates the game of the Blues by imparting strength and variety.
Determining in the 1st set to replace the Blues led 18-22 with an ace and a winning serve.
He then knew with sobriety vary the blue highlights and the Russian bursts (which led 18-19 in the 3rd set).
Live: Olympic Games: Fantastic, French volleyball players win Olympic gold
The blue flame
They had warned, they would not change anything.
Even in the Olympic final.
They were faithful to their desire, their ideas, their history.
They smiled, tried impossible things in attack and defense.
To accompany the event and not to be crushed by a first Olympic final.
They were rewarded.
Olympic champions to accompany the last match of Laurent Tillie, their emblematic captain in post since 2012.
FLOPS
Trevor Clevenot, a match in contrasts
He had the merit of registering the points which allowed the Blues to pocket the 1st and 2nd set but for the rest the receiver-attacker was, in attack, unsuccessful, suffering from the comparison with Earvin Ngapeth and Jean Patry (15 points). He was able not to let himself be overwhelmed by frustration and remain at the service of the team, as on the magnificent counter which offers the French to lead 7-3 in the 4th set. An action which had the merit of freeing him (a little). 11 points in the end.
The blue hole
After winning the first two sets, the Blues had control of the situation in the third set. But they suddenly lacked cutting edge, let the Russians slowly regain confidence. And pocket the sleeve of hope. The one that changes everything. A bad sequence, a succession of small details that could have torn the dream.