06/29/2024 18:18hs.
That Japan be one of the two finalists of the VNL This may come as a surprise to some. Except for two of the three centre-backs in the squad, there is no one taller than two metres. And in a sport like volleyball, with a net that reaches 2.43m, it seems difficult to find a case of success against rivals with a great advantage over them. However, the Japanese team swept the books and was one step away from winning a title in the Nations League, after having beaten Slovenia 3-0 (25-21, 27-25 and 31-29) in the semifinals.
Although the Japanese can give some advantage, instead of taking it as a disadvantage they use it to their advantage. So much so that they do not stop running, they jump very high and are very agile when defending and counterattacking. And that whole combo came about in a real blast that happened in the first set and that had several agonizing saves on the floor. Indeed, It was the longest rally of the entire VNL 2024 on the men’s level.
Asian captain Ishikawa was the top scorer in the afternoon in Lodz with 21 points, followed by Nishida with 18.
After the narrow victory against the Slovenians, Japan will face France, from 3:00 p.m. (Disney+), in the definition, which beat Poland 3-2 (22-25, 25-22, 25-23, 20-25, 18-16) in one of the best matches of the tournament. The two losers will play first for third place.
Japan, VNL finalist. (FIVB Press)
After the VNL, the big tournament of the year will come: the Paris Olympic Games. And in that event the team led by Marcelo Méndez will share the area precisely with the Japanese, Germany and the United States.
