Japan 🇯🇵 vs. Italy 🇮🇹 - Highlights | Week 3 | Men's VNL 2026

It's Italy in blue serving, Japan in red reserving. It is receiving even. It is the ACN Volleyball Nations League in Osaka. It is match three from day one of week three. And there is an opportunity, second time of asking, for a side out for Japan. But that's not happening. Yes, it is. Matchup against Gianelli. Kogatsu. Oh, what a block. That is a monster block. Takahashi Ran. Straight back for Valenta. It's the left hand and the perfect Kogatsu. And very good into Koshikawa. Just moving out around. The only good, the only real option. Real trouble. Well, that is from Ran. And the speed opens up the angles. It's the timing. That's a great serve. Oh, good save. Nishida. And it won't stay in. And it's all over. Look at that. Italy, having lost the set, but then challenged, have now won the set. Start off the set. This was a brilliant comeback for the Italians. Way to be really mentally tough and disciplined. That's a pretty good swing. He's trying to go off the fringe of the block. Ball does pop up there. It's not the hardest ball for Nishida to play in the cover. Just ends up doing too much. Possibly also, Kogatsu would normally be playing in that situation. Here comes set two. It's the leading Japan by one set to nothing. Oh, nearly, nearly came back. Larry was nowhere to be seen. This swing looks really simple from Takahashi Ran, but Kogatsu has put it in. Takahashi Ran. And that drop makes Cinelli probably the best setter on the planet right now. He's in that conversation. There's been so much ball in this situation. Still going. There's a chance here for Lavier, but he can only just send it back to Japan. And Japan will make sure of the point. Brilliant job from Japan turning what looked like a really difficult situation. So good, but great for Japan. They take the set 25-19. That was a good one. It really was. Nice to have another one as good as that. It will. One is even at the moment. Who's going to get the first set? I'll tell you what. That is some block. Ran shut down first time. Ishikawa. So with some decent cover. Set two for Tolo. Trying to find a minute to get a full swing, but Ishikawa can. The crowd go crazy. Japan lead by three. Japan get themselves organized so quickly in transition. Ending still trying to get themselves around. It's okay. Lavier tidies it all up. This periphery works it nicely. Takahashi Ran. Lavier. Spot will enter. First clean swing he's had for a while. Miura on for Japan. What a serve from Nishida. Can he do it again? It's a bit tight. Now is that going to be catch ball? No, it isn't. Is he reaching across the net? No, he isn't. It's a good serve, but a really good pass. And that will do it. Larry through the middle. And Japan take the set. 25-20. The Italians start thinking about too many different situations. Block and defense becomes disconnected. Japan super consistent and having lost the first set. Went and made those adjustments once more. With the right blend of players coming. Japan leading two sets to one. Not so from Bobalenta. Got a little bit under the ball. Galassi. It's a tricky one for Ishikawa. Transition. Great point chance for Italy. Asai. What a dig. And that hits a ball. So is this. Well played. Galassi playing 60. Javier tries again on the angle. Denied! Nishimoto with surprise middle blocker. What a shutdown. Great finish on the move. Akiko Nishimoto just keeps committing, committing, committing. Legends of the game. Those players. Legendary coaches. Miura. Good up. Well played Lanzano. But it's going to be free ball here for Japan. Miura again. Oh, pinball. Miura can't get a full swing because he's back row. Chance for Italy. Oh, Asai still going. Still going. He's still going. I don't believe it. No way. I don't believe it. It looked like Nishimoto had made the great block commit. Going quick. Doesn't stop Miura from saving the set. Or can he? That's one good one. And it's into transition. Break point chance. Miura is waiting. So to run. And they've saved another set point. Once more. Oh, he's done it again. That's a great serve. Poro has come up with a wonderful swing. And that silences the crowd. Italy take the set 25-23. And we are going by. Italy with the serve. Poro to get us underway. Perfect pass. Great block. Really good start. A break point start for Italy. Can't wait to see. Matty winding up for that. It's a serve. Oh, it's a massive ace serve. Bobalenza pretending to be in the passing unit. Livia. Perfect pass. Delay as well in that one. It's a drift. Just a fracture. It's past the shoulder of Sanguinetti. Posing for the photo. Goodness. A little bit of a delay. Quigley tried to go after Bobalenza. Not surprised. Special lead to serve. Not a bad serve. But Ram. Not a bad swing. And Japan have done it. They still are undefeated in the VNL. They have taken on Italy.