VNL 2025

Japan finish in Burgas with clean sweep against Slovenia

Kento Miyaura leads the way with 17 points

Published 11:49, 29 Jun 2025

Slovenia (SLO) vs. Japan (JPN) men - Pool 4 - Preliminary Phase #48830065

Japan’s Kento Miyaura led his teammates to a solid shutout of Slovenia

Japan outplayed Slovenia in straight sets in Sunday’s men’s Volleyball Nations League opener in Burgas to finish the second competition week on a high note. Last year’s silver medalists climbed back up to third place in the current VNL standings on a 5-3 win-loss record and 15 points. Slovenia’s negative series, on the other hand, was extended to three consecutive zero-point losses and now they stand below the cut-off for the Finals, in 10^th place in 4-4 and 11.

Watch the Volleyball Nations League on VBTV

Slovenia stayed competitive only during periods of the first set, when they managed to fight their way back from a five-point deficit, deny a couple of Japanese set points and even reach one of their own before folding in the overtime. Riding the momentum of the first-set win, Japan were well in control of the next two, until their outside hitter Tatsunori Otsuka spiked the winning point to close the match at 3-0 (27-25, 25-15, 25-16).

Star opposite Kento Miyaura led the way with a match-high 17 points, including two aces and a kill block. Otsuka registered a 56% success rate in attack to contribute 15 points to Japan’s success. His cross-court teammate and captain Shoma Tomita fired a couple of aces and spiked at a 61% success rate to finish with 13 points.

“Our first match here was very tough because of the Bulgarian fans. After that we had big support from the fans. It was great to play in such a kind environment. We are really grateful to have such big support from the stands. I hope everyone will keep supporting us, especially since we play in Japan in the next competition week,” Japan’s middle blocker Larry Ik Evbade-Dan told VBTV.

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20-year-old opposite Nik Mujanovic was Slovenia’s only player to tap into the double digits. He put away 15 points in swings and one kill block.

“From this whole tournament we have to take away knowledge about what we did wrong, because most of the tournament we did things wrong. We have to learn from it, go back home and try to secure a position in the Finals in China,” commented Slovenia’s experienced setter Dejan Vincic. “Everything is still in our hands. We will play in front of our incredible crowd in Ljubljana. A lot of magic happens there, so it can happen again.”

The VNL match between Iran and the Netherlands is already underway in Belgrade. The second match in Burgas, between Turkiye and France, will serve off at 15:30 local time (12:30 UTC). The last day of the competition week offers a total of nine matches in Burgas, Belgrade and Chicago with all VNL teams participating.