France convincingly won the direct match for first place in Group D of the European Championship. The Olympic champions defeated Germany 3:0 (25:21, 25:17, 25:19) in Cluj-Napoca and remained the only undefeated team in the group.
The French controlled the match practically from start to finish. Germany managed to stay closest to their opponent in the first set, but it also ended 25:21. In the second, France's superiority became even more noticeable – 25:17, and the third concluded 25:19.
The match lasted 75 minutes, with France scoring a total of 75 points against 57 for Germany.
The top scorer in the match was Théo Faure with 18 points, including 7 break points. Timothée Carle and Mathis Enno added 12 points each, while Barthélémy Chinenyeze finished with 10. For Germany, Anton Brehme was the top scorer with 11 points.
The victory left France at the top with 4 wins from 4 matches and 12 points with an impressive set ratio of 12:1. Germany finished the group stage with 4 wins, 1 loss, and 11 points with a set ratio of 12:7.
Following this result, the first two places in Group D are now clear. France secured the first position, and Germany is guaranteed second. The Germans completed their five matches with 4 wins, while third-placed Romania has 2 wins and only one remaining match, so they cannot displace them based on the first criterion – number of wins.
Before the last day, France is first with 4 wins and 12 points, Germany is second with 4 wins and 11 points, and Romania is in third place with 2 wins and 7 points. Turkey and Latvia each have 1 win and 3 points, and Switzerland also finished its participation with 1 win and 3 points.
The first two positions are already decided – France is D1, and Germany is D2. The matches Turkey – Latvia and France – Romania on September 16 will determine third and fourth place.
This has direct significance for Bulgaria, as Group B crosses over with Group D in the round of 16. The scheme is B1–D4, B2–D3, B3–D2, and B4–D1.
Thus, one of the possibilities is now completely clear: if Bulgaria finishes third in Group B, they will meet Germany in the round of 16 in Sofia. If our national team finishes second, their opponent will be the third-placed team from Group D, which will be known after the last two matches in Cluj-Napoca.

photo: cev.eu