In Cooperation with the FIVB.

France to battle with Spain for topping the standings in Marseille

France outclassed tonight Greece in four sets and will face Spain in an exciting final match

Marseille, France, May 16, 2009 - After a good match last evening against France (they lost there 1-3), the Finns did not manage to worry that much the Spaniards in the fourth competition day in Marseille. Spain did not have any troubles to defeat Finland with a clear 3-0 (25-12, 25-5 25-13) and took a sort of psychological advantage for the final match against France slated for Sunday evening.  
Tonight the hosts of France faced Greece. The players of coach Fabrice Vial suffered a bad start and Greece took advantage of that notching the first set. But in the second set the French came back with more ambition and led by an efficient Hélène Schleck (20 points with 3 aces), took the following three sets. Coach Fabrice Vial commented: “This match was not more difficult than we had expected. We knew how to react when it was necessary and this is indeed the most important topic in the story."
The Greek coach, Georgios Lykoudis, paid tribute to "a very good French team" still recognizing that he is looking for the best team combination to allow Greece to stay in the race for the a ticket to the 3rd round.
The best three teams at the end of the tournament will move to the 3rd round. But the first place guarantees a much better draw for the next stage of the competition. Slovenia and Greece will compete for the allocation of the third place whereas Finland will end up in fifth place.

Results
Finland vs. Spain 0-3 (12-25, 5-25, 13-25)
France vs. Greece 3-1 (23-25, 25-19, 25-23, 25-8)