Tours Volley Ball had the advantage of the field in this first match of the Ligue A final. The public never stopped pushing the Touraine playersespecially when the latter were jostled by their opponent from Montpellier, who took the first 2 sets. The TVB, with courage, returned to 2 sets everywhere in a molten Grenon room. But it was Montpellier, ruthless, who ended up winning and are only one match away from the league title.
Montpellier wins without trembling the first 2 sets
Not disturbed by the room acquired from Tourangeaux, the Héraultais scored the first point and were up to five points ahead in this set (16-11). Despite a jump from TVB, which took the lead at 21-20, Montpellier pockets the set 25 to 23.
– Camille Huppenoire
In the second set, Montpellier is still in the lead. The Héraultais oppose the TVB with a reinforced concrete defensive block and widen the gap (15-21). The TVB tries to react but makes mistakes, like this service fault which gives the set point to Montpellier (16-24). The Héraultais only have to conclude, 25 to 16.
A breathless third set and the TVB regains its colors
Led 2-0, the TVB wakes up. The match is much more hung, with in particular this point as incredible as it is endless, during which Montpellier seemed capable of returning any ball, until an angry conclusion from Bruckert which made the whole room stand up (13-10 for TVB). At 24-22 for Tours, Grenon is up again. 24-23, 25-23!
Zeljko Coric scares his teammates and supporters when he ends up on the ground, stunned, after a confused action at the net in the 4th set. The captain gets up and the TVB continues its reassembly. Montpellier can no longer do this against Tourangeaux carried by Grenon on each point (21-11) Impressed by his players, coach Marcelo also applauds them. 25-17 for the TVB and equality 2 sets everywhere!
In Montpellier next Wednesday, the TVB will have to win to play the beauty in Grenon
The decisive set in 15 points is played under high tension. Errors in service cost the TVB dearly. Montpellier leads 8-5 at the change of sides and manages to maintain its advantage under the whistles of Grenon. The battle is lost by the TVB 15-12. We will have to win in Montpellier on Wednesday to afford a good one in Tours on May 14.