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In an exhilarating five-set contest, Japan edged past Italy to bag the third place in the Men’s Volleyball Nations League. The final scoreline read 3:2 (25-18, 25-23, 17-25, 17-25, 15-9), marking a dramatic victory for the Japanese team and a hard-fought bronze medal.
Match Score Table
| Set 1 | Set 2 | Set 3 | Set 4 | Set 5 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Japan | 25 | 25 | 17 | 17 | 15 |
| Italy | 18 | 23 | 25 | 25 | 9 |
The Japanese squad showed immense grit and composure, overcoming Italy’s challenge in a match that swung like a pendulum. Japan’s performance was marked by an impressive tally of 52 attacks, 4 blocks, 9 serve aces, and 74 digs.
Italy too put up a stellar fight with 53 attacks, 13 blocks, 7 serve aces, and 53 digs, but fell short in the final set.
Statistics
| Attacks | Blocks | Serve Aces | Digs | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Japan | 52 | 4 | 9 | 74 |
| Italy | 53 | 13 | 7 | 53 |
The Japanese team was led by Captain Ishikawa Yuki, who scored a total of 21 attack points. Kento Miyaura followed closely with 20 points, contributing significantly to Japan’s win with his key serves and attacks. Yamauchi Akihiro and Takahashi Ran also played crucial roles, each contributing 10 and 12 points respectively.
On the Italian side, Alessandro Michieletto shone with a total of 16 points. Yuri Romanò and Daniele Lavia contributed 15 and 14 points respectively, displaying impressive form throughout the match. However, their efforts were not enough to secure a win for Italy.
Personal statistics
| Japan Players | Total Points | Attack Points | Block Points | Serve Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ishikawa Yuki (C) | 21 | 21 | 0 | 0 |
| Miyaura Kento | 20 | 12 | 1 | 7 |
| Takahashi Ran | 12 | 11 | 1 | 0 |
| Yamauchi Akihiro | 10 | 7 | 2 | 1 |
| Onodera Taishi | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| Italy Players | Total Points | Attack Points | Block Points | Serve Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michieletto Alessandro | 16 | 11 | 1 | 4 |
| Romanò Yuri | 15 | 14 | 1 | 0 |
| Lavia Daniele | 14 | 11 | 3 | 0 |
| Russo Roberto | 11 | 8 | 3 | 0 |
| Galassi Gianluca | 9 | 3 | 5 | 1 |
While the Men’s Volleyball Nations League has been a roller-coaster ride for all teams, Japan’s hard-earned victory over Italy in this nail-biting encounter epitomizes the spirit of the game. From Japan’s comeback after trailing in the third and fourth sets, to their clinching victory in the decisive fifth set, this game will be remembered as a classic in the annals of the League’s history.
