The USA ended Japan's impressive streak and, after an extremely dramatic semifinal, qualified for the Nations League final. Karch Kiraly's team prevailed 3:2 (25:19, 23:25, 20:25, 25:19, 15:13) over the only undefeated team in the tournament until that point and will face Poland on Sunday in a battle for the trophy and the $1 million prize fund. The Japanese arrived at the semifinal with an impressive streak of 13 consecutive wins – 12 in the preliminary phase and a quarterfinal success, with six of those matches won after a tie-break. This time, however, fate was not on their side, and they lost their seventh five-set match. After the USA won the first set, the "Samurai" turned the tide and took a 2:1 lead in sets. However, the Americans showed immense character, equalized the score, and sent the match into a decisive tie-break. And there, the drama was complete. Japan led 12:11 and seemed very close to another comeback, but a series of three consecutive points for the USA followed. On his second match point, Matt Anderson sealed the deal with a powerful attack from the back row, sending his team to the final. The two big heroes for the Americans were veteran Matt Anderson and Jake Hanes, who each scored 24 points. Anderson finished with 21 successful attacks, 2 blocks, and 1 ace, while Hanes once again reminded everyone of his magnificent form after the quarterfinal against Italy. The opposite finished with 24 points, including 3 aces, one of which was a serve at 129 km/h. For Japan, Yuji Nishida with 19 points, Yuki Ishikawa with 18, and Ran Takahashi with 13 were above all, but their efforts were not enough. The statistics also tipped the scales towards the Americans. They scored more points in attack (67 vs. 57), in blocking (9 vs. 7), and especially from serve (7 vs. 2). The only significant advantage for the Japanese was in saved balls in defense (94 vs. 74), but this did not compensate for the USA's superiority in the decisive elements.

The Americans were the more effective team in the most important elements of the game. Their advantage in attack, blocking, and especially serving compensated for the excellent defense of the Japanese and proved decisive at the end of the dramatic match. The victory also brought a significant change in the world rankings. The USA gained 5.31 points and, with a total of 346.18, displaced Japan from fourth place. The "Samurai" are now fifth with 341.07 points. On Sunday, the Americans will face Poland in the tournament final, while Japan will compete with Slovenia for the bronze medals.

photo:volleyballworld.com