Result: Slovenia-Egypt 3-1 (25-21, 25-19, 17-25, 25-16)
Mujanovic played as a starter and scored 20 points.
Toshiki: How do you feel looking back on the match?
Mujanovic: It was a tough match. I'm happy to win. We had some difficulties in the third set. Egypt started off serving really well and we didn't respond well. But we came back in the fourth set, started off with more energy, served better and everything went well. I think we played a good match and we can make some improvements.
Toshiki: How was your individual performance?
Mujanovic: I think it went well. I'm happy. I had some good spikes and good serves. But I think I made too many mistakes. I'm still young, so these things happen. But I think I can improve on these things in the future, so I'm not too stressed about it. But I could have done more. But overall it was very good.
TOSHIKI: Tomorrow we will be playing against Poland. How will you prepare for the match?
Mujanovic: It's the same. It doesn't change with each team. We analyze every time, watch the film, and check the strategy: where to stand, how to block, how to serve, etc. Then we just do our best in the match. If a new player comes or something changes, the coach or staff will give us additional information. It's always like this. It doesn't change with every team.
Toshiki: At the Paris Olympics, you will be competing in Pool A against strong opponents like France.
Mujanovic: The Olympics still feels a little unreal to me. It's crazy that I have a chance to go there. But as I said before, all the teams we're facing are very good, but we're also a good team. If we play our own volleyball and give it our all, I think we can beat any team.
Toshiki: I'd like to ask about your impression of the Japanese team.
Mujanovic: It's very difficult. When I was younger, last year and so on, I always thought we could beat Japan. They're small, so we could spike over them. But now, especially after spending a season with Ai (Takahashi) (of Japan) in Monza, Italy, I think their defense is really, really good, and their serve reception and serve are really good. It's high-level volleyball. As I said before, we have a great team and I think we can beat Japan, but I'm sure Japan has won all four of our last games. I feel like they're a great team with a different style than us. I hope we can win (if we play them again at the Olympics), but they're a great team anyway.
TOSHIKI: What kind of person is Takahashi Ai?
Mujanovic: He's crazy. I love Ai. I joined in the middle of the season, so I didn't know much about him for the first month. But we started talking, and since there was a cafeteria at the arena, we had lunch together every day. We also went to McDonald's and pizza together. He's a very gentle guy. He doesn't make you feel like he's a star. In fact, he really is a star. But he's really a nice guy.
Toshiki: What about your Japanese fans?
Mujanovic: That's... (laughs). Of course it's great, but for me, they were cheering for Japan... (laughs). Japan and Poland are the only two countries in the world where the arena is filled with so many fans for games other than home games, and this is not normal. Even when Slovenia, Turkey, and other countries were playing (in Japan), most of the seats were filled. I think it was probably about three-quarters full. So I think they're really crazy fans. It's similar to the Philippines.
Toshiki: Can you give a message to your Japanese fans?
Mujanovic: Thank you for your support. We always have fun playing in Japan. It's a beautiful country. Thank you very much.
Photo: Author
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