France have snatched their first gold of the Volleyball Nations League, after outlasting the USA in a spectacular 5-set final showdown.
Reigning Olympic Champs, France raced through a one-sided first set, closing it out 25-16 with a monster block. The roosters kept their pace and a super spike winner by Earvin Ngapeth at 25-19 moved them two sets up.
But an American line-up change almost led to a complete turnaround. Team US first went for a 25-15 rout in the third before catching up the Blues with a 25-21 win in the 4th.
However, France reshaped the momentum with an early 6-point run in the decider, and pulled away 15-10 to seal their first title in the history of the competition. The Bronze went to Poland who dispatched hosts Italy in straight sets.