Sofia, Bulgaria, July 21, 2019.  France are the new #EuroVolleyU17M champions! Les Bleus beat hosts Bulgaria 3-1 in Hristo Botev Hall in Sofia. The French opposite, Nathan Canovas was named the Most Valuable Player of the 2019 CEV U17 Volleyball European Championship - Men. France didn’t suffer a single loss during the tournament dropping on their way for the #EuroVolleyU17M crown only one set! The bronze medal encounter, like a game for gold, was a rematch of a fixture from the group stage. The final result was exactly the same like few days ago, as Poland defeated the Czech Republic after a thrilling fight in straight sets.

The Dream Team of #EuroVolleyU17M
Best libero: Enzo Blanc (FRA)
Best middle blocker: Szymon Gorowski (POL)
Second best middle blocker: Tomas Bukacek (CZE)
Best Outside Hitter: Vladimir Garkov (BUL)
Second Best Outside Hitter: Hilir Henno (FRA)
Best Opposite: Georgi Tatarov (BUL)
Best Setter: Anatole Chaboissant (FRA)
Most Valuable Player: Nathan Canovas (FRA)

France vs. Bulgaria 3-1 (25-20, 23-25, 25-20, 25-13)

The #EuroVolleyU17M gold medal match couldn't start better for France, as they began to build their advantage from 6-3 and constantly increased it to 14-8, then 18-11. The young Bulgarians were not able to find a way to stop them and struggled with reception, while the Frenchmen dominated on court in all elements, winning the opener 25-20. France started the next part leading 4-0, but with huge support from the enthusiastic and very vocal crowd in Hristo Botev Hall, the hosts caught up the score quickly and started to play point by point. At 14-11 the hosts gained for a moment a bigger advantage, but France equalled at 15-15 and then a fierce battle began which ended with a 25-23 win for the home side. Les Bleus opened the third part gaining a five-point-advantage which they were keeping for most of the time outspiking their rivals. Even if the hosts managed to get closer, France were quickly increasing their advantage, eventually closing the set 25-20. Les Bleus kept the momentum, as they led 11-5 in the last part and ran away with the score to 18-9.  With a great effort of the whole team, France closed the last part 25-13. Nathan Canovas was the best scorer adding 15 points to his name. On the other side of the net, Vladimir Garkov scored 10 for Bulgaria.

Nathan Canovas, MVP: "It was a great match, both teams scored a lot of points, we were under pressure, but we withstood it. We have here many French fans who supported us, because it was hard to play against the Bulgarian supporters. It's unbelievable that we won gold."

Czech Republic vs. Poland 0-3 (24-26, 26-28, 21-25)

The opener was a head to head rivalry till the very end, the teams were not able to keep even a two-point advantage for a longer while. Both teams performed very well, however the Poles presented their opponents three aces already in the first part. Poland had their first set point at 24-23, but eventually closed the set 26-24. Poland took an early 6-2 lead in the next part, but quickly lost concentration, thus letting the opponent come back to 7-7 and another point-by-point race began. The young Eagles jumped out to 13-10 with captain Jakub Olszewski on serve, before extending their lead to 16-12, but after a few mistakes, the Czechs with good service from Tomas Bukacek reduced the difference to one point only (16-15). The Czechs improved their block, and then the team led by coach Jiri Zach tied at 21-21. After a fierce battle Poland went to 24-23, but again didn't use the first opportunity to close the set, the Czechs couldn't take their chance either, and Poland won the set 28-26. Poland opened the next set with a 4-0 lead thanks to great services from Szymon Gorowski, but then lost four points in a row. Poland started to rebuild their advantage with a better game and precise service (17-14), and they kept the lead till the end of this part, claiming the bronze medal with the first set ball at 24-21. David Kollator of Czech Republic was the top scorer with 20 points, one less tallied Tytus Nowik of Poland.

Ariel Fijoł, head coach of Poland: “We are very happy. We knew that Czech Republic is a strong opponent, but we had our tactics to defeat them. We were prepared to play even a five-setter here. The dreams come true. We worked very hard for two years to get prepared to this tournament and this bronze is like gold for us.”

Jiri Zach, head coach of Czech Republic: "Poland were a bit better today; they are hard-workers on the court, they have more patience. It's always hard after losing such a game, but I am satisfied with our performance and proud of my team, because we didn't expect to be in the top 4."

Turkey vs. Italy 0-3 (27-29, 20-25, 15-25)

The 5th place matchup between the 2017 champions and bronze medallists turned out to be a straight set win for Italy. The Azzurrini were caught napping at the beginning of the opener - they were trailing 2-7 and then 12-17 back, but then they totally banished the gap. Turkey jumped out to a two-point lead at 24-22, but didn't manage to close the set in their favour, which eventually the Italians did at 29-27. During the entire set two, Italy stayed three or four points ahead, before Turkey managed to get closer at 17-18, but then the team led by Renato Barbon immediately regained the advantage, taking also this part. In the third set, the Azzurrini smashed their opponent leading 10-4, then 19-10 and ending set and match. The best scorer of the game was Berk Dilmenler of Turkey with 10 points, one point less earned Gianluca Rossi for Italy.