Volleyball: Nations League, Italy also beats Japan and awaits the finals

Italy-Japan 3-1 (29-27, 28-26,, 23-25, 25-20)

After 10 consecutive victories in this Nations League (tournament with 1 million euros for the team that wins) Italy surpasses Japan who had not yet lost this season. A success that does not have a fundamental specific weight for the purposes of the rankings (the two teams are already in the finals and Japan could finish in first place), but which greatly affects the self-esteem of the Italian team that will reach the finals in Gdansk (19- July 23) with another awareness. Italy played an intelligent match, trying to contain mistakes and always keeping the Japanese reception under pressure, which can boast a great setter like Sekita who tried to unmark his spikers as best as possible, starting with Nishida who was a constant danger to the blue defence. But taking measures for the striker who played a season in Vibo Valentia, it was easier for Italy to contain the imaginative game of the Asians. Who have often found themselves ahead, but who have not been able to contain the return of Italy. In the second set, also played point to point, De Giorgi inserted Rinaldi (in place of Michieletto) who retaliated decisively, with a series of attacks to close the set.

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In the third, Italy, which has practically always played with the starting team, took a couple of breaks ahead to go and close the game. But perhaps he underestimated Japan’s comeback which clinging to its “Milanese” captain Yuki Ishikawa reduced the disadvantage taking the match to the fourth set, even though Italy had a couple of chances to close the match earlier. Japan gains confidence and always gets a break with the usual Ishikawa (15-11). But the blue doesn’t give up and, as had happened previously, recovers Blain’s team, with the blue wall that makes the difference. After bringing Michieletto back on the pitch. In the end it is Galassi’s outstretched arms that close the road to Ishikawa and his companions. The Azzurri close with a record of 9 wins and only three defeats (two in the first week, without starters) and await the other results to understand who they will face in the quarterfinals (Argentina?).