Barthelemy Chinenyeze (R) of France spikes during the men's volleyball semifinals between France and Italy at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, Aug. 7, 2024. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)
PARIS, Aug. 7 (Xinhua) -- World No. 1 Poland beat the United States in five sets here on Wednesday to set up the men's volleyball final against hosts France at the Paris 2024.
Wilfredo Leon Venero scored 26 points to lift Poland over the Americans 25-23, 25-27, 14-25, 25-23, 15-13 in the semifinals.
The United States beat off three match points in a row to pull within 14-13 in the tiebreak, only to find Venero convert on the fourth with a smash.
"No tension. No tension at all. If we don't do it on the first, we'll do it on the second and if we don't do it on the second, we'll do it another time," said Venero when asked about his mentality towards the end of the match.
Later on Wednesday, defending champions France swept Italy 3-0 (25-20, 25-21, 25-21) in the other semifinal match.
The gold medal match is slated for Saturday. ■
Nicolas le Goff (R) of France competes during the men's volleyball semifinals between France and Italy at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, Aug. 7, 2024. (Xinhua/Liu Dawei)
Players of France block the ball during the men's volleyball semifinals between France and Italy at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, Aug. 7, 2024. (Xinhua/Liu Dawei)
Simone Giannelli of Italy saves during the men's volleyball semifinals between France and Italy at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, Aug. 7, 2024. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)
A fan cheers for players of France during the men's volleyball semifinals between France and Italy at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, Aug. 7, 2024. (Xinhua/Liu Dawei)
Antoine Brizard (L) and Nicolas le Goff of France block during the men's volleyball semifinals between France and Italy at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, Aug. 7, 2024. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)
Players of France gesture to the referee during the men's volleyball semifinals between France and Italy at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, Aug. 7, 2024. (Xinhua/Liu Dawei)
Tomasz Fornal (R) of Poland receives the ball during the men's volleyball semifinals between Poland and the United States at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, Aug. 7, 2024. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)
Taylor Averill (C) of the United States blocks during the men's volleyball semifinals between Poland and the United States at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, Aug. 7, 2024. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)
Matthew Anderson (L) and Torey Defalco of the United States compete during the men's volleyball semifinals between Poland and the United States at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, Aug. 7, 2024. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)
Erik Shoji of the United States receives the ball during the men's volleyball semifinals between Poland and the United States at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, Aug. 7, 2024. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)
Players of Poland celebrate scoring during the men's volleyball semifinals between Poland and the United States at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, Aug. 7, 2024. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)
Spectators cheer for players of Poland during the men's volleyball semifinals between Poland and the United States at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, Aug. 7, 2024. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)
Tomasz Fornal of Poland competes during the men's volleyball semifinals between Poland and the United States at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, Aug. 7, 2024. (Xinhua/Liu Dawei)
Jakub Kochanowski of Poland reacts during the men's volleyball semifinals between Poland and the United States at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, Aug. 7, 2024. (Xinhua/Liu Dawei)
Wilfredo Leon Venero of Poland competes during the men's volleyball semifinals between Poland and the United States at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, Aug. 7, 2024. (Xinhua/Liu Dawei)
