Comments from players after the match:
S.Ryu Yamamoto
2 points (2 serves), team attack effectiveness rate 37%
"With one win and two losses already, a loss here would have meant the end, but the fact that we were able to play at home... Yes, I was surprised that we won the previous game (at home) 3-0, but today's win was also a surprise, and I'm only just realising it now. (In the next game) I don't think we've ever been to the finals as a team (we've actually been to the finals three years in a row since the 1961/62 season), so this is a chance to change history, and if we win next time, we'll get to play in the final again, so I think it will be a great asset for me. However, (Game 5) will be difficult as it's their home game, but I will just do my best."
L Taniguchi Wataru
Serve receive success rate 20%
"We won 3-0 today, but personally my reception wasn't that good. But I think I helped the team a lot defensively, so I'll use what I learned from that to do my best next week. Also, as a team, our spikers came up with some great solutions and scored, which led to a good development that led to a 3-0 win. We're beginning to show our strength in good situations like today, so I'd like to spend the next week preparing so that we can continue to do that next week, and then go into the next game."
As Yamamoto said after the match, he was surprised, and I was embarrassed to say that I didn't expect to win 3-0 again. Milon's serve and block were very effective that day, scoring a total of 8 service aces and 9 blocks, and he was able to take the match to his advantage.
OP Nanopoulos, who was also named the MVP of the match, was particularly impressive, scoring the most points of both teams with 20, six of which were service aces (though Milon's low ceiling helped him a lot in this regard, as it's very hard to avoid the power of a strong serve if you're not used to it).
He was the starting opposite in the playoffs, replacing the aforementioned OP Russell, and his original position is outside hitter. Furthermore, he is 19 years old, born in 2005, and is small at 188cm tall, but he has great jumping ability and can hit powerful spikes with his left arm. He was a player reminiscent of Nishida, the opposite of the Japanese national team. Maybe he's even better than Russell. I'm looking forward to seeing what he does next.
Of course, Yamamoto's toss work, especially the use of pipe attacks, was excellent and effective, and his side tosses looked even more stable than when he was in Romania. Also, his consecutive service aces at the end of the second set were amazing. Looking at Italian setters, it's become commonplace to score points with jump serves, so I hope Yamamoto will be able to use his serve more as a weapon.
Taniguchi also had moments where he was disrupted in serve reception, as he himself said, but he did a very good job with digging and connecting. There were also several moments where he picked up an opponent's spike that looked like it had been scored, turned it around and turned it into a point for his team. The level of Japanese liberos is really high. Also, even though he's a libero, I laughed when I saw him warm up and hit a sharp spike straight down. It seems that his outstanding jumping ability is still intact even after switching to libero.
After the match, spectators were free to enter the court as they wished, just like in Italy in the past. Japanese players were also popular here.
Well, with the results of today's match, the semi-finals are 2 wins and 2 losses, and the winner of the next match will advance to the finals. However, the next match will be at Olympiacos' home field, so there will be no benefit from the low ceiling (laughs). But if we've come this far, we can't help but have high expectations.
The fifth round of the playoff semi-finals will be played at 25:00 on Saturday, April 12th, Japan time. The match can be watched for free here, but only from within Greece.
https://www.ertflix.gr/en/epg/channel/ept2-live
If you can't see the broadcastLive scores hereWe would be grateful if as many people as possible could come and watch and support the game, even if it's just for a short while.
Photo: TOSHIKI, aonsmilon.gr
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