We spoke with the U.S. men's volleyball team, who were in Gdansk (Poland) for practice matches on July 20th and 21st local time. The U.S. team is in the same qualifying pool C as the Japanese team, and will play against Japan on Friday, August 2nd at 28:00 Japan time.
This time we bring you an interview with Thomas Jeske, an outside hitter who plays for the Osaka Bullets (formerly the Panasonic Panthers) in Japan (the interview was conducted on the 20th).
Toshiki: We were originally scheduled to play a friendly match against Serbia today, but it was cancelled. What do you think about that?
Jeski: That's life. It's out of our control and there's nothing we can do about it. We had a good practice today, good serving and receiving, so I think today was a productive day for us. Whether we're playing against Serbia or playing against each other, we're just looking to get better, even if it's just a little bit. So I think today was a good day.
Toshiki: Today was an open practice in front of Polish fans. What do you think is the difference between Polish fans and Japanese fans?
Jeski: Japanese fans are very polite. They cheer but they cheer very well. They are very quiet and nice. Polish fans have more energy and sometimes they get angry. I think they are the top two fan groups in the world. They love volleyball. They love volleyball. But they love it in different ways. They are both great but very different.
Toshiki: How is your condition?
Jeski: I'm feeling great. I had a shoulder injury at the end of the season in Japan that continued into the summer, but I've made some good progress over the last three weeks and my shoulder is feeling a lot better.
Toshiki: How did you feel when you found out you would be in Pool C with Japan at the Paris Olympics?
Jesky: Japan? I love the Japanese team. All the guys I played with at Panasonic (now Osaka Bulleteon) were great. I'm happy to see them (outside the club). I saw Tomo (Yamamoto), Otsuka, Yama (Yamauchi), Larry and Nishida and gave them all a big hug. I'm so happy to see them. The worst thing about this job is that you never see your teammates again after you leave the team because you've become good friends with them. So it's always nice to see old teammates. They're more than friends in that respect.
Toshiki: Did you watch the Nations League final this year?
Jesky: Yes.
Toshiki: What do you think about the current Japanese team?
Jeski: Very good. They're very clean. Very, very clean. The way they play and win is super clean. They play precision volleyball. They don't make mistakes, they rebound well, they have a good cover system, they have good serve receive, Sekita handles a good offense. They also have Tomo (Yamamoto), who is a really good libero. I love Tomo. So I think they have a great team.
Toshiki: I can't say "good luck" to you guys, but...
Jesky: You can say it! "Good luck, team USA!" (laughs) (Then he turns his face closer to the camera and shouts "Good luck team USA")
Toshiki: (laughs) Now that I think of it, your headband is really cool.
Jeski: This is from when Micah Christenson and I were diving for the ball at the same time and I hit my head and I was bleeding a lot. I still have the cut from that, so I'm wearing this. It's not just for fashion, I have a cut on my head that needed four stitches. It just wouldn't stop bleeding. I'm fine now, but I have to wear this.
Toshiki: Do you wear it in Paris too?
Jesky: I don't know yet. If it makes me play worse, I'll definitely take it off (laughs).
*The headband had already come off by the next day's match against Poland (laughs).
Photo: Author
[PR] "ALL for DREAM -Footsteps to Glory- Japan Volleyball National Team Nations League 2024" will be available on U-NEXT from July 27th (Sat.)
A documentary program that closely follows the unknown behind-the-scenes of the "Volleyball Nations League 2024" and traces the fierce battles will be streamed on U-NEXT.
[Distribution date and time]
July 27th (Saturday) 5pm Boys #1 Boys #2
August 3rd (Saturday) 5pm Women's #1
Saturday, August 10th 5pm Women's #2
Saturday, August 24th 5pm Men's #3
Saturday, August 31st 5pm Women's #3
September 7th (Saturday) 5pm Men's #4
Saturday, September 14th 5pm Women's #4
(Quoted from TBS TV release)
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