Lille, France, July 8, 2018 - Russia brought France's brilliant run throughout the season to an abrupt end Sunday night in this northern France city, shutting out their opponents in the final, silencing the partisan crowd and claiming the historic gold medal of the inaugural FIVB Volleyball Nations League.
Russia, physical and strong, dominated France, although the hosts did try to get back in the game in the third, before Dmitry Kovalev stuffed Thibault Rossard to bring it home.
It is Russia's first gold in a world competition since they won the 2013 FIVB Volleyball World League - though in the meantime they had earned the prestigious title of European champions in 2017.
USA libero Erik Shoji and teammate Aaron Russell get down low for the dig in the bronze medal match of the 2018 FIVB Volleyball Nations League.
Earlier on the closing day of the finals, USA bounced back from their semifinal defeat to France to shut out Brazil 3-0 (25-21, 28-26, 28-26) for bronze. And they must have wanted it a lot, because coach John Speraw stuck to his starting lineup without using a single substitute despite the second and third sets being as close as they get.
It is USA's first podium appearance in a world competition since they picked up bronze at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
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