What are the conditions for advancing to the final round?
To advance to the final round, a team must finish in the top seven at the end of the qualifying round, excluding host country Poland.
Japan, currently in fifth place with six wins, two losses and 18 points, can book their place in the final round regardless of the results of other teams if they win three of their remaining four games in the next Chiba tournament, or win two by 3-0 or 3-1.
In the Japan round, they will play against France, South Korea, Poland, and Brazil. Poland and Brazil are strong teams, so it will not be easy to win, but there is a high possibility that they will be able to win against France and South Korea without going to full sets. Therefore, it seems that the Japan Women's National Team's advancement to the Nations League Final Round is solid.
Also keep an eye on the competition for the starting lineup
The starting lineup for this year's Japan women's national team is almost set.
The setter is Seki, the opposite is Wada, the outside hitters are Ishikawa and Sato, and the middle blockers are Miyabe and Haruyo Shimamura. In particular, the first four have been in the starting lineup in every game so far, and the two middle blockers have been in the starting lineup in six of the eight games.
The problem is the libero.
Coach Akbaş has tried six liberos in the starting lineup so far, and it is clear that unlike the other positions, the libero is still exploring many possibilities.
However, among them, Kojima Manami and Fukudome Keimi, who were members of last year's Paris Olympic team, were each selected as starters twice, so I think these two are still more highly rated than the other liberos.
In addition, Akimoto Misora and Kitamado Ayane have been playing as outside hitters/opposites, Araki Sayaka and Yamada Nichika as middle blockers, and Nakagawa Tsukasa as setter, and each has had the opportunity to play and performed well. Fukazawa Megumi has already established herself as a relief server.
I'd like to see what kind of players Coach Akbaş will bring to the Chiba tournament. However, Coach Akbaş has been too close to the court during play and has been in the way of his teammates on a number of occasions, so I hope he will refrain from doing so in Chiba.
Week 3: Chiba (Japan)
July 9th (Wed) 19:20～ vs France
July 10th (Thu) 19:20～ vs Korea
July 12th (Sat) 19:20～ vs Poland
July 13th (Sun) 19:20～ vs Brazil
Final Round: Lodz (Poland)
Host country Poland and the top seven teams from the qualifying round will advance.
July 23rd (Wed) to 27th (Sun)
Related links
Photo: FIVB
English 
Japanese