France celebrate qualifying for the Group 3 Finals in Australia
Couva, Trinidad, July 15, 2017 – Alexandra Dascalu led France to a 3-0 (25-20, 25-22, 25-20) victory over Trinidad and Tobago in a Group 3 match in the FIVB World Grand Prix on Saturday. The win earned them a spot in the Group 3 Finals in Australia.
Dascalu scored a match-high 16 points, including four aces. She was supported by Juliette Fidon with 15 points. Sinead Jack was the top scorer for Trinidad and Tobago with 13 points. Trinidad and Tobago had the advantage in blocking (11-5), but France slammed down nine aces to their opponents’ four. Trinidad and Tobago committed 22 errors to France’s 15.
France, who were meeting Trinidad and Tobago for the first time in an official competition, stretched their unbeaten run in the competition to five games. Saturday saw two countries (France and Hungary) win their first five matches in the World Grand Prix for the first time ever. Hungary have also qualified for the Group 3 Finals. Trinidad and Tobago’s record fell to 1-4.
Trinidad and Tobago spent most of the match chasing France, who pulled out early leads in the first two sets and cruised home comfortably in both. The third set was a little different as it was the home team who had the early advantage, leading 14-11 halfway through the set. But that was when France turned things around, pulling level at 14 and moving ahead for good from 17-17.
On the final day in Trinidad and Tobago, France will face Australia, while the hosts will meet Cameroon.