Japan3–2Italy
24–2625–1925–2023–2515–12
Japan defeated Italy 3-2 (24-26, 25-19, 25-20, 23-25, 15-12) in the FIVB Men's Volleyball Nations League 2026 on 15 July 2026 in Osaka, Japan.
The decisive fifth set was the closest of the match, with Japan winning 15-12 after Italy had leveled the match by taking the fourth set 25-23. Japan’s Ran (#12) led all scorers with 26 points, including 23 attacks and 2 aces.
This was Japan’s second win against Italy in Men’s VNL history, following a 3-2 victory on 24 June 2022, after Italy had won the two most recent men’s meetings (2024 and 2023).
Match statistics
JapanItaly
72Attack63
3Block13
6Ace serve2
31Opp. errors24
112Total102
Top scorers
Japan
Ran#12
26 pts23 atk1 blk2 srv
Nishida#1
20 pts19 atk0 blk1 srv
Ishikawa#14
17 pts15 atk0 blk2 srv
Italy
Bovolenta#23
14 pts12 atk2 blk0 srv
Lavia#15
13 pts12 atk1 blk0 srv
Bottolo#12
12 pts9 atk2 blk1 srv