The Transalpines beat Finland 3-1. The Italian coach becomes the first head coach to reach the final with three different national teams.
France has qualified for the final of the 2026 Men's European Volleyball Championship by defeating Finland 3-1 (25-17; 18-25; 25-18; 25-15) in the semifinal played at the Forum in Assago, Milan. The Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympic Champions lived up to expectations, earning the right to face Poland in the final scheduled for Saturday, September 26 at 21:00. The team coached by Italian Andrea Giani settled the match in 95 minutes of play, with decisive points from Mathis Henno (21) and Théo Faure (20).
Finland, which had eliminated Italy in the quarterfinals, exits the tournament with their heads held high after snatching a set from the favored French team and will face Slovenia for the bronze medal. With this victory, head coach Andrea Giani made history by becoming the first coach to reach the European Championship final while leading three different national teams, having already reached (and lost) it with Slovenia in 2015 and with Germany in 2017.
The European Men's Volleyball Championship is a continental competition held every two years among the top European national teams. The 2026 edition is taking place in Italy, with matches played across various venues including the Forum in Assago, Milan, and the Inalpi Arena in Turin. France is participating as the double Olympic champion, having won gold at both Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024, while Poland is the defending European champion, having won the title three years ago.
Andrea Giani, the Italian coach of France, has built his career as a head coach by leading several national teams. After losing two European finals with Slovenia (2015) and Germany (2017), he took charge of France during the Olympic cycle that led to victories in Tokyo and Paris. Finland, on the other hand, reached the semifinals after surprisingly eliminating the host nation Italy in the quarterfinals in Turin, securing their spot in a tie-break. The final will not only award the continental title but also a direct pass to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
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