Japan loses 3-1 to France in the men’s Nations League final

World number two Japan failed to win its first Nations League title in volleyball on Sunday, losing 3-1 to Olympic champion France in the men’s final.

Captain Yuki Ishikawa and his team nevertheless achieved the best performance of the Japanese men in the VNL. They moved up a notch on the podium after winning bronze in 2023.

France, opposite Jean Patry, led all scorers with 24 points as he guided his side to a 25-23, 18-25, 25-23, 25-23 win at a packed Atlas Arena in Lodz, Poland.

Japan’s Kentaro Takahashi (10) and Yuki Ishikawa (14) try to block a shot by Frenchman Jean Patry (4) in the men’s final of the Volleyball Nations League in Lodz, Poland, on June 30, 2024. (Photo courtesy of Volleyball World)(Kyodo)

Ishikawa had 17 points, all on kills, a team-high, while Yuji Nishida scored 11 for Japan, which has a long-awaited gold medal in its sights when the Paris Olympics begin in a few weeks.

“I’m happy that we achieved our goal of reaching the final, but I’m sad that we lost,” said Ishikawa, who was selected along with libero Tomohiro Yamamoto for the seven-man team that took part in the tournament.

“We have the chance to make up for this disappointment, so I want to prepare to achieve good results at the Olympic Games.”

Japanese players gather during the men’s Volleyball Nations League final against France in Lodz, Poland, on June 30, 2024. (Photo courtesy of Volleyball World)(Kyodo)

Host nation Poland completed the podium after a straight-sets victory over Slovenia in the bronze medal play-off.

The VNL silver is Japan’s best result at a major men’s tournament since finishing second at the 1977 FIVB World Championship.

The Japanese women’s team took silver in the VNL final against Italy a week ago in Bangkok.

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