The fourth week of the VNL2021 men's tournament has ended. The Japanese team played against Germany, Poland, and Canada. Poland was inevitable, but they wanted to win two games and get the lead, but they lost to Canada, so their final result for the fourth week was one win and two losses. Below is a look back at each match.
Japan's battle in Week 4
⑩ vs Germany 3-0 (25-18, 25-22, 25-20)
Ishikawa evades three German blocks and scores a spike. Photo by FIVB
Starting lineup for the first set (serving order)
Japan
OH14 Ishikawa, MB6 Yamauchi, OP1 Shimizu, OH21 Takahashi Ai, MB2 Onodera, S12 Sekita, L20 Yamamoto
Germany
MB18 Krage, S17 Zimmermann, OH6 Caliberda, MB21 Click, OP Weber, OH3 Shot, L10 Zenger
The English commentator on Volleyball TV that day was an old man who suddenly burst out laughing. He got it right (lol). I wonder if I'll be able to hear the old man's "Kaiju Block!" today too (lol).
Although Germany was not very stable, they had won against Slovenia and Iran, so I thought the match against Japan would be a close one, but in the end they won 3-0 without any trouble. Ishikawa's performance was particularly amazing.
Fujii was benched due to poor condition. Sekita was the starting setter. Germany got off to a good start in the first set with OP Weber's height and sharp spikes and MB Click's blocks. However, Germany couldn't serve and couldn't break. Then, at 7-7, Ishikawa hit two consecutive service aces. This took the flow of the game in one go. After that, Japan's floor defense shone brightly, and Germany's offensive power was overshadowed. Japan took the first set with a score of 25-18.
Germany's Weber's spikes Photo by FIVB
In the second set, Japan continued their momentum and made a successful start, leading 12-8 until the middle of the match. However, Germany's OH Reichert, who came in during the match, scored a spike and two service aces, catching up to 14-13. However, Japan did not let him catch up. That's because Ishikawa's spikes were unstoppable (Ishikawa's attack effectiveness rate on this day was an astonishing 69%!). In the end, Takanashi, who came in as a blocker, also made a block, and Japan took the second set 25-22.
In the third set, Germany finally started to pick up the pace. With their attacks starting to land again, led by their opposite Weber, Germany was one step ahead, but the game continued with both teams repeatedly scoring side-outs. However, at 17-17, Sekita stopped Reichert with a "Kaiju Block!" and Japan took the lead. Ishikawa's spike, service ace, and Yamauchi's final service ace gave Japan the lead, 25-20, and a straight-set victory over Germany.
Anyway, Ishikawa was amazing. I feel that he has really improved his level in the two years he played for Padua and Milan since the 2019 World Cup. Personally, I would like other players to challenge themselves in top leagues such as Italy and Poland if they have the chance. I wonder what Takahashi Ai and Otsuka will do after graduating from university.
But Germany's Weber was also a very attractive player with his high jumps and whip-like bending spike form, so I have high hopes for his future. And also the handsome Reichert (laughs).
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