Nations League Women: Serbia and France Battle to Thrilling 2-2 Draw

Belgrade, Serbia – July 10, 2026 – In a spectacular encounter at the Aleksandar Nikolić Hall, Serbia and France played out a dramatic 2-2 draw in the FIVB Nations League women’s tournament. The result leaves both teams level on points in the standings, with playoff implications hanging in the balance.

Match Overview

The match featured relentless rallies, tactical timeouts, and momentum swings. Serbia, known for their powerful blocking and deep roster, started strong but faced a resilient French side that refused to buckle. France’s athletic defense and creative attack tested the home team throughout the four-set battle (25-22, 19-25, 25-23, 20-25).

Set-by-Set Breakdown

• Set 1 (Serbia 25-22): Behind the powerful hitting of Tijana Bošković, Serbia controlled the opening frame. France stayed close until 20-20, but two consecutive Bošković kills and a block by Jovana Stevanović sealed the set.
• Set 2 (France 25-19): France responded with a reshuffled lineup. Outside hitter Lucille Gicquel caught fire, scoring six kills in a 10-2 run that put the set out of reach. Serbia’s passing errors mounted.
• Set 3 (Serbia 25-23): A tense back-and-forth saw Serbia regain composure. Libero Teodora Pušić’s digs kept rallies alive, and captain Maja Ognjenović orchestrated a 4-0 finish with clever sets to the middle.
• Set 4 (France 25-20): France dominated from the start, with middle blocker Léa Raux delivering four blocks. Serbia made late substitutions but could not close the gap, forcing the match to a fifth set.

Deciding Fifth Set

The fifth set was a nail-biter. Tied at 12-12, France took a 14-12 lead on a service error and a kill by Gicquel. Serbia saved two match points, but France’s Amandine Giardino finished with a sharp angle off the block. Final score: 15-13 for France, resulting in a 2-2 overall draw (Nations League awards points: 1 point each for a 2-2 result).

Key Performers

• Tijana Bošković (SRB): 28 points (24 kills, 3 blocks, 1 ace) – The superstar opposite hitter was unstoppable at times but lacked support in crucial moments.
• Lucille Gicquel (FRA): 22 points (19 kills, 2 blocks, 1 ace) – Her explosive hitting was the difference in France’s two set wins.
• Léa Raux (FRA): 6 blocks – Anchored the French defense at the net.
• Maja Ognjenović (SRB): 42 assists – The veteran setter kept Serbia in the game with smart distribution.

Standings Impact

Both teams earn one point from the draw. Serbia now sits at 4 wins, 2 losses (10 points), while France improves to 3-3 (9 points). With only the top eight teams advancing to the Nations League Finals, every point matters. Serbia will next face Italy, while France takes on defending champions Turkey.

France’s head coach, Émile Rousseaux, commented: “To come to Belgrade and take a point from Serbia is a big achievement. The girls showed incredible heart, especially in the tiebreak. We are building momentum at the right time.”

Serbia’s star Bošković acknowledged the missed opportunity: “We let it slip in the fourth set. We have to learn to close out matches. But it’s a long tournament, and we will improve.”

The Nations League women’s tournament continues this weekend with high-stakes matches across multiple venues.