Japan achieved its best-ever result in the men's volleyball Nations League on Sunday with a dramatic five-set victory over reigning world champion Italy in the bronze medal match.
Japan triumphed 25-18, 25-23, 17-25, 17-25, 15-9 in the third-place playoff at Ergo Arena in Gdansk to capture its first medal in a major world-level men's international volleyball event since a silver at the 1977 World Cup.
Japan captain and outside hitter Yuki Ishikawa led both teams with a 21-point performance, getting all of his points on kills, including the game-winner.
"I'm so happy we got it," Ishikawa said on winning the medal. "I'm proud of my teammates."
Outside hitter Ran Takahashi said the entire Japanese team had contributed to the breakthrough result.
"There were some tough moments, but we really made a full-team effort to get the medal," Takahashi said.
Host nation Poland, which defeated Japan in the semifinals, won its first Nations League title with a 3-2 victory over the United States in the final.
