China lose to France in volleyball Olympic qualifier
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2004-05-29 16:55

China lost to France for their first defeat in four matches at the men's volleyball Asian and final qualifying tournament for the Athens Olympic Games in Tokyo on Wednesday.

In a top-of-the-table battle, the Asian silver medalists lost 21-25, 36-38 and 21-25 in one hour 24 minutes as France stand atop the eight-nation round robin tournament with four straight victories.

Earlier, Australia, fourth in the Asian championships last year, improved their record to 3-1 after beating Canada 25-19, 25-19, 26- 24, leaving Canada struggling on two wins and two defeats.

The winners of the tournament and top-finishing Asian country will qualify for the Athens Olympics.

"My performance was coming better at the end of the second set, " said France's top-scorer Frantz Granvorka, "We needed to win this match. It was the hardest match we've played in this tournament. China played fast, they played really good."

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