Bulgarian international Dimitar Dimitrov and Montpellier were dramatically eliminated from the title race in France, after losing at home with 2:3 (25:23, 27:29, 25:19, 22:25, 13:15) in the decisive third match of the semifinal series against Tours.

Montpellier, who won the championship title in the 2021/22 season, failed to return to the top despite finishing first in the regular season. The team will continue its participation in European tournaments for the Challenge Cup trophy, as they finished first in the regular season.

🏐 Dimitrov's performance:

Dimitar Dimitrov failed to find a rhythm in attack and finished the match with 12 points (3 blocks), being blocked a total of 6 times by the opponent and recording only 27% attack efficiency. In the tie-break, the Bulgarian failed to score a point, and Montpellier squandered a 2:1 lead in sets.

🎯 The drama in Montpellier:

Led by captain and two-time Olympic champion Nicolas Le Goff (9 points, 2 blocks, 70% efficiency), the hosts controlled a large part of the match. Nevertheless, key errors at the end of the second and fourth sets proved decisive – especially the series of five consecutive points conceded at 19:18 in the fourth game.

Tours, for its part, demonstrated composure and tactical maturity. Four players finished with double-digit points, and in the tie-break, they dominated at the net with 4 blocks against 2 for Montpellier.

🥇 With new ambition:

Tours, who were last champions in the 2022/23 season, is now looking ahead with the opportunity to once again climb to the top of French volleyball.

photo:toursvolleyball.com