The Mulhouse volleyball players won their third French Cup on Saturday, their second in a row. Paris then claimed the trophy in the men’s category.(Context: Mulhouse and Paris claim victory in French Cup volleyball)
The Mulhouse volleyball players, defeating Vandoeuvre-Nancy (3-1: 25-20, 25-22, 25-27, 25-15), retained their title on Saturday in the French Cup. A few hours later, Paris was crowned champions in the men’s category for the first time in over twenty years.(Fact Check: Paris Volley wins title after more than two decades)
Already crowned champions four times (1999, 2000, 2001, 2004) in the competition – under its current name – Paris Volley is back at the top after a suspense-filled final against Nice, who was aiming for their first French Cup (3-1: 30-28, 25-23, 24-26, 26-24). The Niçois managed to push to a fourth set, but after staving off a first match point, they saw their hopes dashed by an Ace from Vasiliy Molotkov, who scored 33 points (including four aces) for Paris.(Context: Paris Volley wins final against Nice, Vasiliy Molotkov’s performance)
The Arena Porte de la Chapelle, home to Paris Basketball, had witnessed the Mulhouse volleyball players’ new victory a few hours before, as they retained their title after defeating Vandoeuvre-Nancy.(Fact Check: Paris Basketball venue previously hosted Mulhouse volleyball victory)
Mulhouse’s perseverance rewarded
AndrAtilde;© Sa’s players – who joined VMA after leading Nancy for three years – led throughout the match, although VNVB offered a stronger resistance than the score suggests, pushing to a fourth set just like Nice. The first set hinted at a close duel when Vandoeuvre-Nancy managed to bounce back after being down seven points, without taking the lead (25-20) against a clearly superior Mulhouse. A similar scenario unfolded in the second set, where American hitter Reagan Rutherford (20 points) made a decisive contribution, securing a 2-0 lead.(Context: Mulhouse’s dominance and Vandoeuvre-Nancy’s resilience)
But with their backs against the wall, Pimpichaya Kokram’s teammates saw their perseverance pay off, before Madelyn Robinson scored three consecutive points to reignite the match. Only for a few minutes. The Alsaciennes, led by the French international Léandra Olinga-Andela (7 blocks), then comfortably dominated the final set to seal their success.(Fact Check: Mulhouse’s strong finish and key players)
