Russia beats France to win FIVB Nations League

FIVB: Russia brought France’s brilliant run throughout the season to an abrupt end Sunday night in this northern France city, shutting out their opponents in the final, silencing the 10,000-strong partisan crowd and claiming the historic gold medal of the inaugural FIVB Volleyball Nations League.

Russia proved no match for France, although the hosts did try to get back in the game in the third, before Dmitry Kovalev stuffed Thibault Rossard to bring it home.

It is Russia’s first gold in a world competition since they won the 2013 FIVB World League – though in the meantime they had earned the prestigious title of European champions in 2017.