Two-time defending Olympic champion France stamped its class right away, sweeping Korea, 25-12, 25-18, 25-16, in its Pool C opener of the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
The French unleashed a complete performance on both ends, overwhelming the Koreans in nearly every department — 35-28 in spike kills, 10-4 in blocks, and a flawless 10-0 shutout in aces.
Their efficiency was further underscored by capitalizing on Korea’s 20 errors while committing just 14 of their own.
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Opposite Jean Patry was in peak form, swinging at a 73-percent clip en route to a match-high 16 points built on 11 kills, three aces, and two blocks.
“I’m happy because we know this game will be a challenge for us, but we just need to have fun and take pleasure in the game at the beginning of the competition,” said Patry, the Paris Games’ best opposite spiker.
“It was very important for us to play well today and try to do our best.”
Theo Faure, who came in as a late substitute, delivered the finishing blow and tallied three markers.
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On the other end, Korea struggled to find rhythm against the French wall and pinpoint serves.
Outside hitter Heo Subong was the lone bright spot with nine points, but it was far from enough to counter the reigning Olympic kings’ relentless pace.
