The Finns still have the chance to win a first medal at these championships, as they will now face Slovenia for bronze on Saturday 26th September.
Finland made the short trip from Turin fresh from causing a huge upset by beating knockout-stage co-hosts Italy, 3-2, in the quarter-finals, while France had travelled from the Bulgarian capital of Sofia where they beat Romania 3-0 in the last eight.
It appeared that playing five sets was more energy-sapping than the travel, as France put together a 6-1 run that turned what had been a tight first set from 11-11 to 17-12. They then secured a 1-0 lead in the match with a 6-2 run that closed out a 25-17 set victory.
But the Veljekset soon found their rhythm and hit back in the second set - neither side were able to establish much momentum, though Finland never lost the lead after going 9-8 up. The Finns only managed one 3-0 streak, but by continually chipping away at the scoreboard, they finally took a 25-18 win.
That was the first time France dropped a set in the knockout stages and just the second in the entire tournament, and that seemed to get the best out of them, as a near-perfect run took them from level at 4-4 to 13-5 ahead in set three, and though Finland cut the gap back to four points, the French stayed in control and replied with a 25-18 success of their own.
For the fourth set running, neither side were able to take a clear lead early on, but once again it was France who were first to kick on, producing a 6-1 run that opened a 12-7 advantage, and this time Finland never came close to reeling them in, and as France took match point to secure the 3-1 win and a place in the final, it was the first and only time either side led by 10 points, at 25-15.
France will play title holders Poland in the final, where either the Roosters will win a second European title or Poland a third. Finland have already equalled their best finish of fourth set in 2007, but a first medal is the prize for beating Slovenia, who have won three silvers and a bronze across the previous five editions.
Follow the 2026 European Volleyball Championship medal matches on Flashscore.