20-Nov, start time: 12:35, end time: 14:15 - Attendance: 1,200

KOR	3	20	25	25	25	-	95
FRA	1	25	23	23	21	-	92

Match Description:

Koreans Down France
Korea caused the first upset of the men's World Cup when they fought back from a set down to defeat France 3-1 in their opening second-round match at Site B in Hamamatsu.

Chang Byung-Chul produced an inspired offensive display as the Asian champions downed the French 20-25, 25-23, 25-23, 25- to keep alive their hopes of qualifying for the 2003 Olympic Games.

The result gave Korea a 2-2 playing record as they gave ample proof they now possess a powerful attack to compliment their renowned defense. It was France's second loss in four games and is likely to seriously jeopardize their chances of claiming one of the three Olympic spots on offer.
After their scare against Tunisia in the previous round, France coach Philippe Blain started with his strongest line-up and it was the French blocking that gave them the edge in the opening set, with Olivier Kieffer and captain Dominique Daquin taking charge at the net.

But Korea refused to buckle. MIP Chang continued to trouble the French and was ably supported by Yoon Kwan-Yeol and Shin Sun-Ho as the Asian team grew in confidence and leveled the match. Korea trailed the French for most of a tight third set only for a pair of spikes from Suk Jin-Wook to move them ahead, before Chang fittingly closed out the set with another bomb.

Korea forged a significant lead at the start of the fourth set as the French began to lose their composure and they maintained this lead to comfortably register a well-deserved victory.

Comments:

"The French are technically very good and much taller than us, which made it very hard for us in the first set. Our defense was unable to adjust. But from the second set onwards we "managed to read their spikes and attacks much better. Our defense came into the game. Our defense was very good, both blocking and digging."
CHA JOO-HYUN
Head coach, Korea

"The Koreans played better than we did. We blocked well in the first set and our hitting was powerful, as was our serve. But in sets two, three and four our serving and blocking was poor. We were unable to match the Koreans quick style of play."
PHILIPPE BLAIN
Head coach, France

Official Result:

Match statistics (P-2) - PDF