Netherlands Women and France Women Play Out Scoreless Friendly in Rotterdam

Rotterdam, Netherlands – May 23, 2026 – An international friendly between the Netherlands women's volleyball team and France women's volleyball team ended in an unusual 0-0 stalemate at the Ahoy Rotterdam. The match, originally scheduled as a best-of-five sets contest, was abandoned after the first set due to unsafe playing conditions caused by a technical malfunction in the arena's ventilation system.

Match Overview

With the score tied at 12-12 in the first set, an issue with the air handling unit caused excessive humidity on the court, making surface conditions slippery and posing a hazard to players. After a 20-minute delay and consultation with team medical staff, both coaches agreed to call off the match. The final score remains 0-0, and it will not count toward any official ranking or statistics.

What Led to the Abandonment

• 10 minutes into play: Players began complaining about condensation on the floor. Several players slipped during rally actions.
• Technical inspection: Venue staff attempted to fix the HVAC system but could not restore normal conditions within a reasonable time.
• Joint decision: The match referee, along with head coaches Avital Selinger (Netherlands) and Émile Roussel (France), decided to prioritize player safety.

Standout Players (in Limited Action)

Despite only playing a partial set, a few individuals made brief impressions. Netherlands opposite hitter Britt Bongaerts recorded three kills on four swings, while France's middle blocker Amandine Giardino contributed two blocks. Libero Juliette Loupias of France also showed sharp defensive instincts with four digs.

Impact on Preparations

Both teams had used this friendly as a final warm-up before the Women's European Volleyball League group stage. The Netherlands, hosts of the tournament's final four, will now look to schedule an additional scrimmage before their opener against Belgium next week. France, meanwhile, will head to a training camp in Luxembourg to fine-tune their system. The 0-0 result is a statistical oddity but will not affect either nation's momentum.

Fans who attended the match were offered refunds or vouchers for future events at the Ahoy venue. The Dutch Volleyball Federation confirmed that no further friendlies are currently scheduled between the two sides, though talks are underway for a rematch later in the year.