November 26, Hiroshima: France came back from the brink to keep their semi-final ambitions alive with a determined win over the USA.
The Americans, inspired by William Priddy's ferocious serving, claimed the first set before France made short work of drawing level in the second.
The US kept up their aggressive attacking play to regain the lead at two sets to one, but France dug deep to come back and close out the match 17-25, 25-12, 24-26, 25-17, 15-11.
The win was crucial for France's hopes of reaching the last four, with unbeaten Bulgaria and the steadily-improving Italians still to play in Pool F, but leaves the US still looking for their first win in Hiroshima.
France's victory over the Czech Republic the previous day had been built on aggressive serve and attack, but the Europeans showed early against the US that they were no slouches in defence either.
The US tried to find a way through as the match got underway, but resolute blocking at the net finally paid off for France when Pierre Pujol secured the point with yet another block.
Frantz Granvorka and captain Stephane Antiga soon got into their attacking rhythm too, blitzing the Americans from both flanks.
But David McKienzie and William Priddy were also showing their quality for the Americans, and brought their side back on terms at 10-10.
The big-hitters continued to blast away as both teams tried to break the deadlock, but US captain Thomas Hoff showed there was room for a different approach as he prodded one over at the net.
France eventually edged into the second TTO with a 16-15 lead courtesy of another Granvorka spike, but the Americans would not be shaken off.
Priddy rifled in a series of jump serves as the US took the game to France, and Riley Salmon, living up to his name with an immense leap, blocked to give his side a two-point lead at 19-17.
France coach Phillipe Blain called a time-out to try to disrupt the USA's momentum, but Priddy's serves were proving too much to handle.
Another aggressive attack gave the US set point, and captain Hoff blocked to finish it.
Granvorka tried to hit straight back as the second set began, and Oliver Kieffer was lending a hand with good work at the net.
Guillaume Samica then gave Priddy a taste of his own medicine as he scorched in an ace to stretch France's lead.
Ryan Millar and Priddy returned fire for the Americans, but by that time France had already established an 11-5 advantage.
France looked determined not to let the first set reverse weigh on their shoulders, and Romain Vadeleux and Granvorka both contributed blocks to lead their side into the second TTO 16-5 up.
There was no way back for the USA, and another Samica attack gave the French set point.
Vadeleux knocked in the winner, and France were back level at one set apiece.
And things wouldn't get any easier for the Americans as the third set got going.
Granvorka lasered a precision spike to the baseline, and US libero Richard Lambourne could do nothing to stop an intended dig from a French spike turning into a catch, such was the power of the shot.
But the US recovered to overturn the French lead, McKienzie taking the Americans into the first TTO 8-6 up.
The Americans built on their advantage with another three successive points, before Priddy sent another attack ricocheting around the French defence like a pinball.
A skewed Granvorka spike showed how far the tables had turned, as the US increased their lead to 16-12.
Priddy took the US closer at 20-16, but the French were keeping within reach, and took a crucial step when Antiga narrowed the gap to two points at 23-21.
Granvorka closed it completely with two lethal spikes, but it was the US that reached set point first at 24-23.
France kept one American attack at bay, but a mistake as the Europeans built an attack of their own handed them the set.
Both teams began the fourth set knowing much of their tournament destiny was resting on what was to come.
McKienzie kept the attacks coming for the US, roaring with delight when another spike crashed over to give the Americans an 8-7 lead at the first TTO.
But France regained a foothold with good play from Loic Le Marrec, and took charge of the set at 15-12.
A Granvorka block took them closer at 19-13, and before long the Europeans had set point.
The US could not return a French attack into play, and the match was heading into a tiebreaker.
The final set began with tense rallies from which both sides claimed points, and at 5-5 neither side could make the break for the finish line.
The US tried to cut loose at 7-5, but a Le Marrec block dragged the French back level at 7-7.
An infringement at the net then gave France the advantage at 11-9, and a Granvorka block widened the gap at 13-10.
Match point arrived one point later, and Olivier Kieffer rose at the net to set the seal on a determined French comeback.
