Road to the men’s World Championship. Finland win against Japan in the first friendly match.

Japan, the first opponent of the hosts of Italy in the World Championship has lost in five sets the first of two friendly match against Finland with following scores: 13.25 25.19 25.22 21.25 15.12. Best scorer of the match was the young Japanese opposite Nishida, who signed 20 points. Well in attack also Ishikawa with 54% and 15 points signed in total. Finland showed a clear superiority with the number of blocks: 14 vs 7. Very good match of the Finland’s mittle-blocker Siirila: 14 points, 10/11 in attack and 4 winning blocks.

Finland and Japan to the World Championship.
Finland: POOL D, Varna (Bul). Bulgaria, Poland, Iran, Cuba, Finland, Puerto Rico.
Japan: POOL A, Roma and Florence (Ita). Italy, Argentina, Japan, Belgium, Slovenia, Dominican Republic.