In the second week of the Fukuoka round of the 2024 Men's Volleyball Nations League, the Japanese national team played against Poland on Friday, June 7th local time and lost 0-3 (17-25, 15-25, 20-25).
Starting members
Japan
OH: Tomita (2), Kai (6)
MB: Yamauchi (2), Larry (5)
OP: Miyaura (10)
S: Fukatsu (2)
L: Ogawa
Substitutes: OH Otsuka (10), S Oya, OP Nishida, L Yamamoto
Poland
OH: Semeniuk (10), Fornal (5)
MB: Kochanowski (10), Huber (6)
OP: Krek (10)
S: Janusz (2)
L: Popivchak
Substitutes: OH Silivka (7), OP Kaczmarek (6), MB Klos, OH Bednos, MB Poreba, S Firley.
*Positions: OH = outside hitter, MB = middle blocker, OP = opposite, S = setter, L = libero
※ () indicates score
TOSHIKI'S MVP
MB Jakub Kochanowski
10 points (5 blocks), attack efficiency 621 TP 3T
"Gang łysego" (the bald gang), today's block commander.
He made five of the team's 14 blocks by himself, putting pressure on the Japanese attackers. At 199cm tall, he is shorter than the three middle-aged brothers in Japan, but he has excellent mobility, reading the game, and tactics.
His spike effectiveness rate was 62% with no conceded points, and although he didn't have any aces, he mixed power serves and short serves to lead to breaks.
However, despite this, he is only the second or third best middle blocker on the Polish national team.
Match commentary
It had been clearly stated that the match against Poland would feature players who had had few opportunities to play so far this week, so it was expected to be a tough game even before the match began.
However, in the end, the match showed the overwhelming difference in skill between the two teams, with not only them not winning a single set, but the match never even reaching the final stages.
The key to the results was blocks. In the three sets, they recorded 14 block points and 13 block touches, literally thwarting Japan's attacks.
Although they only managed one ace in serves, all of the Polish players continued to serve in a way that took away Japan's attacking options, successfully forcing Japan to narrow down the target of their blocks.
Furthermore, even if they managed to slip through the blocks, Poland's floor defense, led by L. Popivczak, was very solid that day, and the ball did not fall.
They also intentionally aimed for block outs when spiking, and continued to attack in a way that prevented Japan from using their usual style of picking up the ball and passing it to start a rally.
It was truly a volleyball performance worthy of a champion.
But all was not well in Japan.
OH Otsuka, who entered the court midway through the game, was particularly impressive.
As mentioned above, while other Japanese attackers struggled, he had a consistent attacking effectiveness rate of 671 TP and 3T, and also served one ace.
But what was even better about him was his mood-making.
The score difference was quite large, and even OH Kai, who is always known for his smiling face, had a serious expression on his face, but he continued to encourage everyone on the court with a bright smile.
I was personally touched by his attitude.
A player who can not only play well but also behave like that in those situations is extremely valuable and necessary.
We have previously reported that the competition for the remaining two spots for outside hitters at the Olympics is fierce. Judging from how Coach Blanc has used his players in the Nations League so far, it seems that OH Kai and OH Tomita are in the lead, but there is no doubt that OH Otsuka has once again raised his reputation.
Speaking of players who have improved in reputation, S. Oya, who was called up at short notice after the match against Germany and took to the court midway through, also performed well.
While starting setter Fukatsu struggled to find a solution to Poland's defense, he showed aggressive tossing work, using MB Yamauchi to score early in the second set.
Perhaps because they didn't have much time to coordinate their combinations, there were quite a few instances where the tosses didn't work, but the attackers' choices were good overall. It was actually impressive that they were able to coordinate so well with such little time.
Given his performance today, it seems that Fukatsu's chances at the Paris Olympics are still not in high gear.
I was also glad that I was able to put up some good numbers in the MB Rally, mainly through spikes and blocks.
In addition, OP Miyaura and OH Tomita were blocked a lot, MB Yamauchi struggled to hit his spikes, OH Kai was broken down in serve receives, and L Ogawa was not allowed to do his job in digging (although he doesn't have a dojo for this).
It was a very, very tough match, but I hope they can use this experience to grow.
For detailed match stats,Here
Highlight Video
Next race information
vs Slovenia
June 8th (Sat) 19:20~ (Japan time)
Television broadcast
Live broadcast on TBS
TBS Nations League special site (you can check the TV broadcast schedule, etc.):https://www.tbs.co.jp/volley-nationsleague/
Online broadcast (LIVE)
①VBTV (English, paid): https://www.volleyballworld.tv/home
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Photo: FIVB
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