Ukraine Secures Thrilling Five-Set Victory Over Japan

Ukraine`s Illia Kovalov in attack against Japan

Volleyball Nations League 2025 newcomers, Ukraine, achieved another impressive win, this time against last year`s silver medalists, the formidable Japan. In an exciting five-set contest on Friday in Burgas, Ukraine, spearheaded by Illia Kovalov, earned their fourth victory of the season. This win propelled them to fourth place in the VNL standings with a 4-3 win-loss record and 12 points, positioned just below Japan based on set ratio difference.

With strong support from their fans at Arena Burgas, Ukraine and Japan engaged in a spectacular duel that saw the European team ultimately triumph with a 3-2 scoreline (24-26, 25-17, 25-18, 22-25, 15-13). Each of the five sets was filled with drama, featuring lead changes and surprising turns. Japan began the decisive tie-breaker set with a 3-0 advantage, but Ukraine rallied. Outside hitter Dmytro Yanchuk`s clever off-the-block hit brought Ukraine to match point, and middle blocker and captain Yurii Semeniuk then sealed the victory with an attack that Japan couldn`t return, igniting celebrations among the VNL debutants.

Illia Kovalov was Ukraine`s top performer, contributing 21 points through three aces, three kill blocks, and 15 successful spikes. Opposite Vasyl Tupchii added 17 points, including three blocks and an ace. Yanchuk finished with 16 points, while Semeniuk impressed with three blocks, an ace, and a 62% attack success rate, reaching double digits with 12 points.

Tymofii Poluian, an outside hitter who came on as a substitute during the tie-breaker, shared his thoughts with VBTV: “We expected some wins, of course, and we expected tough games. Today’s game was something incredible for us, for sure. We started the first set a little bit stressed, but then I guess we found the way we usually play. So that’s the thing – you keep concentration and it brings you the result.”

For Japan, Tatsunori Otsuka led the scoring with 14 points, all from attacks. Star opposite Kento Miyaura and fellow outside hitter Akito Yamazaki also reached double figures with 11 and 10 points respectively.

Otsuka commented on their performance: “We lost, but we played better than against Bulgaria. So I am satisfied by the way we played, but the small details decided the match.”