1 Video View·Apr 11, 2025
HISTORICAL MATCH | JAPAN vs ITALY | Volleyball World Championship 2018. Italy vs Japan – A Five-Set Thriller in Nagoya! Women's Volleyball World Championship 2018.
Under the bright lights of the Nagoya arena, on a crisp October evening in 2018, two volleyball powerhouses met for a clash that would be etched into the memory of fans for years to come. Italy, riding high on a wave of confidence, stood face-to-face with host nation Japan, who had the crowd firmly behind them. The stakes? A coveted spot in the semifinals of the FIVB Women's World Championship.
The opening set saw Italy waste no time in establishing their intent. With Paola Egonu, the tournament’s rising superstar, thundering down spike after spike, the Italians stormed ahead, taking the first set 25–20. Their size and power at the net gave them the early edge, leaving Japan scrambling to adjust.
But the Japanese squad wasn’t going down without a fight. In the second set, they found their rhythm—fast, agile, and precise. Erika Araki’s leadership shone, and Sarina Koga began piercing through the Italian defense. Japan took the set 25–22, and the crowd erupted, sensing a shift in momentum.
Back-and-forth they went. Italy answered in the third set, with Miryam Sylla adding firepower alongside Egonu. The Azzurre pulled ahead once more, taking it 25–21, but Japan came roaring back in the fourth. With relentless defense and quick combinations, Yuki Ishii and Risa Shinnabe lit up the scoreboard, and Japan claimed the set 25–19, forcing a dramatic decider.
In the fifth and final set, every rally felt like a battle. Egonu continued her onslaught—unstoppable and ice-cold under pressure. Yet Japan matched every point with grit and determination. The arena was electric. At 15–13, Italy finally broke through, sealing the win and punching their ticket to the semifinals.
Though the scoreboard read 3–2 in Italy’s favor, both teams walked off the court with their heads high. It was a match of heart, talent, and pure volleyball passion—an epic that captured the very soul of the sport!
Passing really good again.
Nagyoka on the left side,
Lars brings the ball that way.
Always attacking to the right side of court,
whether she's hitting from the right or the left.
But the play is too quick.
Middle blockers are not getting across
Too fast for Kriciella.
Miriam Seah having a great passing game.
Ogoni fires through again.
On the pipe this time.
The angle is incredible.
They've been watching her.
They'll know she loves coming to the line,
but she takes her eyes off really.
Bezzetti in the block.
And then in the pass as well, rare from Bezzetti.
Ogoni tips deep.
Tashiro.
It's really a schoolgirl error
because she's coming up so early.
Tashiro gets to the outside.
They're growing.
Japan, they really are.
Leave a little bit of line.
They know that Koga will take it.
Tashiro has gone back in.
Shinobi to serve.
It's going to take something big to get back into this one.
Bezzetti again passing with some problems.
It's really uncharacteristic of Bezzetti.
But that is not uncharacteristic of Genesic.
The vision on the pipe is good.
She doesn't commit with the middle.
She knows what's coming.
Set point for Italy.
It feels like a five point game.
It feels as if Japan are more in this than it's not.
So that's for sure.
Second set point.
The lead off too low.
To the middle.
Bezzetti getting a lot of ball now.
Sia has been left alone.
Bezzetti is getting all the service pressure.
And she's struggling to step up in it.
But Bezzetti does squeeze the ball through the block.
Italy take the first set.
25-20.
There's 8,000 fans here pushing Japan forward.
Sia hitting high enough.
They're going in or around the block.
The lead off finds Igoni.
She scores.
Interesting.
She misses the sideline on the outside.
They're bringing a little bit more inside now.
Move the blockers around.
Look at the hands.
Sia, though, is struggling to get through the block of Japan.
And you would never think that.
Di Gennaro.
Igoni.
Fire again.
Side of the court.
They're not quite feeling it, Italy.
They serve from the end.
Bezzetti passing perfectly.
But they're looking for Japan.
Extraordinary.
On the outside for Nishiyi.
Brings it back to two.
So, so nice.
This point.
And they really, really deserve it.
Consistency in the pass.
Has been there all the way through.
But Bezzetti is blocked.
Japan once again.
A run for the quick challenge.
But blocked.
Out.
It's a great serve as well from Canada.
Really out.
They're crazy.
Japan's good passing.
And very good blocking.
Gets them right back into this game.
Italy have challenged it.
Balls they have.
It is the end of the set.
Bezzetti just sitting in between the blocks.
When the blockers don't get out and seal.
That's loose from Bezzetti.
That's really loose.
And this brave pass.
At all costs.
Sometimes really helps the team.
And sometimes.
Bezzetti just lifts the ball in.
But it's not in front of the centre.
The reading in the defence is good again.
Punting it to Ogonu.
Two points.
And the Italians will put them nicely back on the track.
But Japan don't go away.
Ogonu with a much firmer outside hand.
A better feeling for the block.
That's really rash from Ogonu.
Might be punished.
From Japan.
The pump over this time.
Another opportunity for Japan.
They do take it.
Ogonu says, try that.
If you do try something sneaky like that.
Don't do it against the defensive maestros.
Of Japan.
Incredible stuff.
Zia off the net.
Now she has to try and find a solution.
She smuggles it to the sideline.
There's a challenge coming from someone.
Zia.
Attitude.
Giving it absolutely everything she can.
Zia sure a thing.
Discouraging celebrations.
Set point.
A rocket from Ogonu.
Over time.
Bezzetti again passing off the net.
Zia puts this one to bed.
It's not been their finest evening.
Japan are making a very miserable point.
Desperate dig.
Second time of asking.
That wild and wonderfully quick side attack.
We look down.
Or look towards a tie break set.
There's no Zia.
Maybe they're being rested for a fifth.
Who knows.
But they're out of system.
They need to take this.
They really need it.
But there's the net.
Touch.
It's in the air.
Just caught.
Firing.
Right inside.
Crashing the net.
That's feisty.
From Italy.
Crazy scenes.
That's Irving Peen.
From Italy.
Doesn't matter.
Again.
Japan again upset New York.
They take this to a tie break.
In true command of this game.
One on one.
It's the closest.
Italy have been taken.
Igoni now serving.
Incredible.
As is the past.
Di Gennaro now on the face.
Through the book.
Zia.
It's come good.
They need it.
Match point for Italy.
Igoni serving.
It's been a great run of serves from Igoni.
He's really won for us.
For us Italy have been taken.
First one to the net.
The court.
Coda with the serve.
Presetti puts it perfectly in.
A new way with the dig.
To the outside.
Easy leap at Di Gennaro.
It's all over it as well.
Big blocking from Japan.
They stay alive.
The ref is quick.
And forceful.
And shots.
In this game right here.
Third match point.
Zia the target.
It's so close.
The line judge says in.
The referee says in as well.
The game.
It's not over because.
We were waiting for the challenge.
The hopes and dreams.
Rely.
On a desperate challenge.
For Japan.
Italy is sure they've sneaked it.
Coda.
Praying.
For this to go her way.
The ball is in.
By some distance.
Forza Italia.
They stay undefeated.
Japan have been sold.
And it's heartbreak for them.
Devastation.
For a team.
That have the.
Respect of absolutely.
Everyone watching.
Italy.
They were taken.
So close.
