Tours VB started the new season with a trophy after defeating Tourcoing LM 3:2 (18/25, 25/19, 25/16, 24/26, 19/17) in the French Supercup final. The match offered over two hours of emotions, five sets, and a point-for-point battle, and the audience in the "Robert Grenon" hall in Tours (2759 spectators) once again proved to be a decisive factor.
The French Supercup pitted two of the strongest teams in French volleyball against each other: Tours – the current national champion, and Tourcoing – the winner of the French Cup in 2025. The Tours team won its tenth national title on May 17, after a victory over Poitiers, while the northerners from Tourcoing won the French Cup on March 9, after a dramatic 3:2 success against Montpellier.
Both teams entered the match on an excellent streak.
Tourcoing, led since last season by Dorian Rougeyron – former coach of Paris Volley, has four wins and only one loss, precisely against Montpellier (0:3).
Tours has the same record – four wins and one loss, also 0:3 against Montpellier.
🔢 Key Metrics
| Team | Kills | Ace | Blocks | Points from opponent errors | Total points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tours VB | 63 | 1 | 12 | 35 | 110 |
| Tourcoing LM | 54 | 5 | 7 | 37 | 104 |
In the decisive fifth set, the northerners from Tourcoing started with a whirlwind. Led by Luengas, Venislav Antov, and captain Simon Roehrig, they took a 4:1 lead, and a little later – 12:8 and 13:10. The "Robert Grenon" hall fell silent, but only for a moment. Tours VB's experience shone through at the most difficult moment – the team rallied, neutralized the opponent's serves, and saved several match points.
At 17:17, all eyes were on Zeljko Coric – the setter, who not only orchestrated the game but also single-handedly put an end to the spectacle: an ace that brought the stands to their feet and earned Tours VB its sixth French Supercup.
The hosts won with a more effective attack (63 successful hits against 54) and a better block (12 against 7). Tourcoing was stronger on serve with 5 aces, but this was not enough to compensate for the difference in organization and consistency.
🌟 Heroes of the Final
Venislav Antov of Tourcoing LM was the top scorer in the match with 25 points – 1 ace, 2 blocks, and 48% attack efficiency from 46 attempts. The Bulgarian opposite showed leadership and strength, at times single-handedly keeping his team in the match, despite 4 errors and 6 blocked attacks.
For champions Tours VB, Slovenian national Nik Mujanović was the main scorer with 24 points, including 1 block.
| Player | Team | Points | Ace | Blocks | Attack efficiency |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nik Mujanović | Tours VB | 24 | 0 | 1 | 52% |
| Venislav Antov | Tourcoing LM | 25 | 1 | 2 | 48% |
The two national team players turned the match into a true top-level duel.
🏆 Historical achievement
Tours VBwonthe French Supercupforthe sixth timein its history:
🏆 2025–2026
🏆 2023–2024
🏆 2015–2016
🏆 2014–2015
🏆 2012–2013
🏆 2005–2006
Tours VB once again proved that they remain a benchmark for consistency and a champion's spirit in French volleyball.
Tourcoing LM, led by the Bulgarian Venislav Antov, showed ambition and class, but the hosts' experience and block decided the final.
The match in Tours will remain one of the most spectacular in the recent editions of the Supercup.
Surprisingly, Tours' coach, Mladen Kazić, announced his departure from Tours to the beIN Sports microphone, right after winning the French Supercup.
photos: X and VolleyActu
