Italy beats Japan in men's volleyball

Sunday 01st June, 07:14 AM JST

TOKYO —

Italy battled back from the brink of defeat to snatch victory on the opening day of the men’s volleyball world qualifying tournament for the Beijing Olympics, beating host Japan in five sets on Saturday. Japan came back from a 1-7 second-set deficit to draw level at one set each and went on to reach match point at 24-17 in the fourth set, only to see victory slip through its grasp as Italy bounced back to win 25-20, 28-30, 28-30, 35-33, 15-7.

Earlier Saturday, Australia crushed Thailand 25-12, 25-15, 25-14, and Argentina beat South Korea 16-25, 25-23, 25-23, 29-27. Algeria came from behind to edge Iran 35-37, 18-25, 25-21, 27-25, 19-17. Two teams, including the top Asian finisher, from the eight-team round robin will earn spots in the Beijing

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12 Comments

Pukey2 at 10:12 AM JST - 1st June

I had the TV on in the background and when Japan reached their first match point at 24-17, I thought, well Japan might actually win. Then one by one, I saw those match points disappear into thin air. A win against Italy would have been a big morale boast.
Sarge at 01:37 PM JST - 1st June

Talk about snatching defeat from the jaws of victory - all Japan had to do was score one more point to win the match, and they allow Italy to score 7 straight points. Incredible...
Taka313 at 06:10 PM JST - 1st June

Pukey, I watched it too and ironically enough, my wife and I turned it on when it was 24-18 in game 4. The next 2 points Japan scored in that game were on bad serves by the Italy team. When they showed the Japan team, everyone of them except for number 17 (I forgot his name) looked scared. From that point, instead on trying to win, they all, collectively, tried not to lose. I told my wife there was no way in hell Japan was going to win the last game. It was a very safe bet.

Taka
Sarge at 07:53 PM JST - 1st June

Japan just took the first set with Iran 25-19.
Sarge at 08:20 PM JST - 1st June

Japan just took the second set 25-17. If they lose this match... they can't lose this match - or could they?
Pukey2 at 08:34 PM JST - 1st June

I'm betting that Japan MIGHT qualify as the best Asian team. I'm not familiar with Thailand (other than the fact that they had a transvestite or transexual team), but I think Jp beat Korea last time. Not much competition around.
Sarge at 08:42 PM JST - 1st June

Iran just took a 23-22 lead in the 3rd set.
Pukey2 at 08:44 PM JST - 1st June

deja vu coming? Japan just lost the third set!!!!
Sarge at 08:45 PM JST - 1st June

Iran just took the set 25-23.
Pukey2 at 09:14 PM JST - 1st June

Finished! I was beginning to think Jpn didn't want to win this match.
Sarge at 09:17 PM JST - 1st June

Pukey - good grief, you beat me to it! You had it typed and ready to go with your finger hovering over the submit button, didn't you? xD
Pukey2 at 09:39 PM JST - 1st June

Well it's Sunday evening - buck all to do! I'm going away this week, so unfortunately I won't be around to watch the other matches. Now, will Japan surprise me when I get back?