Japan 🇯🇵 vs Italy 🇮🇹 | Highlights | Men's VNL 2026

Japan vs Italy | Highlights | Men's VNL 2026. The Japanese men's volleyball team, ranked 5th in the FIVB world rankings (before the match), faced Italy, ranked 2nd, on Wednesday, July 15th, and won in a full set, 3-2 (24-26, 25-19, 25-20, 23-25, 15-12). With this victory, their overall record is now 9 wins and 0 losses, and they have advanced to the final round.

In the first set, Ran Takahashi scored the first point with a block-out, and then scored four consecutive points, including a block by Takahashi. After that, Italy tied the score at 9-9, but then won a rally and took the lead at 9-10. Japan allowed a service ace to Italy, making it 10-12, and called a timeout. Yuki Ishikawa scored from a toss by Eva Dedan Larry to make it 14-15. Japan then successfully broke serve to tie the score at 15-15. After that, there was an exchange of side-outs until the end of the set, when Italy successfully challenged and it became a deuce. Japan's rhythm was disrupted, and they allowed consecutive breaks, losing the set 24-26.

The second set, like the first, was a closely contested affair. Japan took an 11-9 lead after a block-out by Yuji Nishida, and then took the lead in the middle of the set when Eva Dedan scored a quick attack following a stable serve reception by Tomohiro Yamamoto. Riding on this momentum, Japan managed to break serve again to make it 19-14. Then, Kento Miyaura scored a point from a toss by Yamamoto to give Japan set point, and Italy's serve went out, giving Japan the second set 25-19.

The third set begins with a block from Italy. Eva Dedan's block makes it 5-4, and then another Italian spike goes out, giving Japan consecutive points. Fukatsu Hideomi's setting keeps Italy from focusing on one attack, giving Japan rhythm to their offense, and Takahashi Ran's service ace makes it 14-10. After that, Italy gradually narrows the gap, but Japan continues to score points with block-outs, making it 21-18. Then, Otsuka Tatsunori, who was brought in as a relief server, disrupts Italy's serve reception, and Nishida scores directly. Nishida then scores another service ace, and Japan takes the set 25-20.

In the fourth set, Keigo Nishimoto made a successful block, exciting the crowd, but Italy scored a service ace to make it 6-7, and then a powerful spike from Italy made it 11-13. Nishida's spike was then blocked, making it 13-16. Towards the end of the set, Ran Takahashi scored a service ace and showed tenacious defense, but the match went to a full set, ending 23-25.

In the fifth set, Japan allowed two consecutive blocks, falling behind 0-2. However, Ishikawa's service ace helped them take a 5-4 lead. After successfully breaking serve with Fukatsu's serve, Japan extended their lead, and Miyaura's back attack gave them match point. Finally, Takahashi Ran sealed the victory, winning the fifth set 15-12 in a full five sets.

The Japanese men's national team will play their next match against Canada (ranked 15th) on Thursday, July 16th at 19:20. TBS will be broadcasting the match live on terrestrial television, so please continue to cheer on the Japanese men's national team whether you are at the venue or watching on screen.

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