The Japanese men's national team will be playing their first match against the German national team in the 3rd week of the 2025 Volleyball Nations League Preliminary Round in Chiba. We spoke to the team's captain and setter, Jan Zimmermann.
The interview was conducted at the end of May this year when the German team won the Silesian Cup in Poland. In addition to these two teams, Ukraine and Bulgaria also participated in the Silesian Cup, making a total of four teams.
Toshiki: Congratulations on your victory. How do you feel looking back on this tournament?
Zimmermann: We are a young team and struggled a bit in the first game against Bulgaria. There are still many areas we can improve on. As I said before, we are young and we are still growing.
I'm happy to have won this tournament. It always feels good to win. It gives me confidence and I want to use this as an opportunity to practice more and prepare for the VNL (Nations League).
Toshiki: You're serving as captain this year. How is that?
Zimmermann: I'm by far the oldest now and have the most experience with the national team (laughs). It's fun to lead this team. It's good to work with young players.
Toshiki: Speaking of last season in the Italian League, your team, Taranto, was unfortunately relegated from the Superlegga. How have you been spending your time since that match?
Zimmermann: After that game I took some time off. It was a really tough season, very difficult for the team and for me personally. It didn't end well, but the transfer window opened and I came back to Monza.
Personally, it's good for me to be back in a familiar environment. Thanks to Ran (Takahashi), everyone in Japan knows the team too (laughs). I'm happy to be back at Monza.
Anyway, I was able to rest well. I was very tired after 12 years with club and country, so these two and a half months were a good rest and it was good to give my body a break.
Toshiki: Will you also participate in the VNL in Japan?
Zimmermann: Yes, if nothing else happens, I plan to attend all of this year's VNL. Japan always has great hospitality and the fans are so warm, so I'm happy to be back. And I'll have to get Ran to take me out to eat some delicious food again (laughs).
Toshiki: I guess I'll have to get Ran a new uniform again (laughs).
Zimmermann: That would be perfect (laughs).
*Zimmermann and Ai Takahashi were teammates at Padua in Italy in the 2021/22 season. The two players also swapped uniforms during the Paris Olympics.
Photo: FIVB, author's photo
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