Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 15, 2016 – France will want a repeat of their FIVB World League 2016 semifinal victory over Brazil when the pair clash in the final match of the pool stage at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
The two are in danger of crashing out of the tournament should either lose, with four teams currently on two points and in the hunt for a place in the quarterfinals.
The French came out 3-1 winners in that World League encounter, but it is one of just six wins for the side in their 32 encounters. The side burst back on the scene with a World League and European Championship gold in 2015, but they have failed to find that same form in Rio, winning two and losing two of their matches so far. That included a straight sets defeat to Italy in the opening match of the competition.
Brazil’s tournament began well with two wins against Mexico and Canada before going downhill with losses to USA and Italy. They will be desperate to stop the rot and bounce back against France. An early exit would be a crushing blow to the country many were tipping for gold medal success.