Ukraine stuns Japan in thrilling five-setter

Rookies Ukraine delivered yet another victory in the men’s Volleyball Nations League 2025, this time against none other than last year’s silver medalists, the mighty Japan. In a rollercoaster five-set battle in Friday’s opening match in Burgas, Illia Kovalov led the way as Ukraine achieved their fourth win since the start of the season and rose to fourth place in the current VNL standings on a 4-3 win-loss record and 12 points, just below third-placed Japan, separated on set ratios.

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Supported by many of their fans on the stands in Arena Burgas, Ukraine and Japan put on a spectacular duel, in which the European side eventually celebrated a 3-2 (24-26, 25-17, 25-18, 22-25, 15-13) victory. Each of the five sets was a mini drama in itself, offering changes in the lead, turnarounds or unexpected endings. Japan stormed the tie-breaker on a 3-0 run, but even in that short set, the lead went back and forth a few times, before outside hitter Dmytro Yanchuk’s off-the-block hit brought in match point to Ukraine, after which Japan failed to return the ball after middle blocker and captain Yurii Semeniuk’s swing to set off the celebrations on the VNL newcomers’ side.

Outside Illia Kovalov contributed three aces, three kill blocks and 15 successful spikes towards Ukraine’s success to top the scorers chart with a 21-point total. Opposite Vasyl Tupchii added another 17 points, including three blocks and an ace. Yanchuk finished with 16 points, while Semeniuk impressed with three blocks, an ace and a 62% success rate in attack to reach the double digits with 12 points to his name.

“We expected some wins, of course, and we expected tough games. Today’s game was something incredible for us, for sure,” outside Tymofii Poluian, who helped Ukraine as a substitution during the tie-breaker, told VBTV. “We started the first set a little bit stressed, but then I guess we found the way we usually play. So that’s the thing – you keep concentration and it brings you the result.”

Outside Tatsunori Otsuka was Japan’s most prolific scorer with 14 points, all in swings. Star opposite Kento Miyaura and the other outside Akito Yamazaki added 11 and 10 points, respectively.

“We lost, but we played better than against Bulgaria. So I am satisfied by the way we played, but the small details decided the match,” said Otsuka.

Another five VNL matches are offered on Friday’s program. Next in Burgas, Bulgaria will take on Slovenia at 19:30 local time (16:30 UTC). Meanwhile, the day’s first game in Belgrade – between Argentina and Iran – has already started.

Volleyball Nations League 2025: full schedule and results

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