The final of the Coupe de France saw Paris Volley-Ball triumph over Nice Volley-Ball. It was a match of great quality where the team from Nice did not fall short. Far from it!
Nice Volley-Ball had a date with the final of the Coupe de France, a first since the 2022-2023 season. At that time, the Eagles were defeated by Tours (3-0). Tonight, at the Adidas Arena in Paris, the aim was to take the next step and finally win this trophy for the first time. On the other side, Paris had already achieved this feat, but 22 years ago.
In a complicated season for both clubs, poorly positioned in the play-in, this evening felt like a breath of fresh air with a qualification for the European Cup at stake. To reach the final, Nice came back from behind against Tours to win it (3-2) in a suspense-filled match. Paris also struggled to overcome Chaumont (3-2).
Nice Volley-Ball delivers
At the start of the match, Merrick McHenry set the tone by challenging the Paris block and following up with an ace. The intensity quickly rose, unlike the last encounter between the two teams in Nice, which saw Paris win effortlessly (3-0). After a match start dominated by Nice, it was the Parisians who got into the rhythm. Vasilii Molotkov, initially frustrated in the first set, unleashed unstoppable attacks. Paris Volley was unyielding at the block. On the other side, the duo of Shay Liberman and Dawid Dulski was hammering the opponents’ hands to give a triple break lead. The players from the capital took advantage of several service errors to catch up. The locals managed to fend off two set points to enter a heated money-time in this first set, which eventually went to Paris following a miscommunication from Nice: 30-28.
A significant moment in this Coupe de France final allowed the Parisians to relax. François Huetz put Paris Volley ahead in this second set. Not aggressive enough in attack, the Eagles suffered a bit more. Timéo Secrétant capitalized on minor errors from Nice to create a gap: 5-1. However, unlike the first set, it was Nice that responded and came back into the set. Merrick McHenry, as decisive as ever, put on a show to allow the Azuréens to draw level and even take the lead, though they couldn’t extend the gap due to the Serbian receiver-attacker Vuk Kulpinac, who was surgical in critical moments.
The intensity slightly waned in the middle of the second act, as though both teams were waiting for the last moments to reveal their assets. On Nice’s side, Dawid Dulski, not very successful, managed to place a few blocks as usual. His Parisian counterpart Vasilii Molotkov also became more discreet in favor of Vuk Kulpinac before taking control again. The Russian spiker offered his team their first set ball, converted by… Vuk Kulpinac: 25-23. Paris led two sets to none against slightly unsettled Eagles.
Nice Volley-Ball with its back against the wall
Although well into their match, Nice was already forced to achieve an exploit. At the start of the third set, Brice Donat’s players capitalized well on a slight dip in Paris’s intensity. Merrick McHenry and Shay Liberman continued their momentum to once again give the Maralpins the lead at the start of the set in this final. But, as had been the case since the start of the match, the team leading at the start of the set got caught. Once again, it was due to Russian spiker Vasilii Molotkov, who shut down his duel with an underperforming Dawid Dulski, who has been less lively in recent weeks. Paris eventually caught up despite an excellent match from Shay Liberman and Merrick McHenry. Once again, we headed towards a money-time with an uncertain but critical outcome for NVB. It was the moment for Dawid Dulski to regain his effectiveness by scoring three crucial points, including the one at 26-24 that gave the third set to Nice.
Still with their back against the wall, Nice began the fourth set in the best possible way despite a pace disrupted by timeouts and challenges. The tension was then palpable on every point. And as usual in this final of the Coupe de France that has delivered on all its promises, the team trailing at the start of the set came back in the fourth act. François Huetz stood out again. Paris took advantage of a double break lead: 15-12. An advantage reduced to nothing by Nice. Shay Liberman, on fire, kept Nice in the match and saw the end of this set arrive once again in money-time. Unfortunately, a net fault by Rodney Ah-Kong gave Paris a match ball, saved by Colin Castelnau. Ultimately, it was the inevitable Vasilii Molotkov who first delivered a perfectly placed attack, followed by an ace to win this 2026 edition of the Coupe de France. Final Score: (30-28 / 25-23 / 24-26 / 26-24).
An unfortunate defeat for Nice, who have shown great values for a young team. Now, Nice Volley-Ball must regroup to face Cannes in the return play-in match on Tuesday at home.
