In a true volleyball thriller from the second week of the Nations League in Burgas, Ukraine defeated Japan 3:2 (24:26, 25:17, 25:18, 22:25, 15:13) and recorded their second victory at the tournament in Bulgaria.
The first referee of the match was Dobromir Dobrev.
The match offered attractive volleyball, spectacular rallies, and a serious battle both at the net and in defense.
Japan took the first set, but not without difficulty – a contested start and success only at 26:24. After that, the Ukrainians, led by their group of leaders, took control and convincingly won the second and third sets. Strong serving, blocking, and good organization gave them an advantage. The Japanese returned to the match with a 25:22 win in the fourth set, leading to a tie-break, where Ukraine imposed their will with a 15:13 score.
The most points for the Ukrainians were scored by outside hitter Vladyslav Kovalov with 21 points, including key plays in the fifth set. Opposite hitter Yurii Tupchii added 17 points for the victory.
For Japan, Otsuka scored the most points (14), followed by opposite hitter Miyaura with 11.
| Element | Ukraine | Japan |
|---|---|---|
| Attack points | 58 | 57 |
| Blocks | 12 | 5 |
| Service (Aces) | 8 | 4 |
| Points from opponent's errors | 33 | 33 |
| Total points | 111 | 99 |
Ukraine dominated at the net – with a total of 12 successful blocks against only 5 for the Japanese, as well as twice as many aces (8 against 4). With strong serves and excellent block reading, the Ukrainians managed to disrupt the tempo of the Japanese attack and get the most out of the second and third sets.
| Skill | Ukraine | Japan |
|---|---|---|
| Digs | 73 | 91 |
| Reception | 77 | 87 |
| Distribution (sets) | 114 | 136 |
Japan displayed its characteristic defensive stability with a total of 91 digs, which allowed them to get back into the match in the fourth set. Setter Naonobu Fujii organized 136 attacks – significantly more than his Ukrainian counterpart, but the efficiency was lower.
Ukraine capitalized on the absence of key players in the Japanese squad and showed collective strength, especially in crucial moments. The victory came after good tactical execution, strong serving, and a stable block. Meanwhile, Japan lacked consistency, despite displaying its usual fighting spirit and defensive movement.
Today, Ukraine already has a new core of leaders: Yestratov, Yanchuk, Semenyuk, Kovaliov, Tupchii, and Boiko are players who have developed rapidly under Lozano's guidance. They now form a team that is not only stable but also dangerous for any higher-ranked opponent. This was proven in their dramatic victory over Japan in Burgas.
The residents of Lviv who play in the Polish PlusLiga are already producing players trained in modern volleyball. Ukrainian athletes draw not only from experience abroad but also from the methodology that Raul Lozano brought with him. The Argentine specialist built a competitive team within a year despite the lack of stars. The team shows maturity, confidence, and volleyball with a modern structure – excellent serving, intelligent blocking, and very good communication among players. It is no coincidence that Ukraine is now perceived as a solid brand on the European stage, capable of disrupting the plans of any favorite.
More tough challenges lie ahead, including a match against the hosts from Bulgaria, but this Ukrainian squad no longer evokes pity – it deserves respect.
