Slovenia defeats Japan to win historic Volleyball Nations League bronze

The Slovenia men's national volleyball team has won its long-awaited first medal in the elite Volleyball Nations League.

In the bronze medal match at the Finals tournament in Ningbo, China, Slovenia defeated Japan 3-1 (25-21, 26-28, 25-22, 25-22) after a hard-fought contest to secure the first Nations League medal in the country's history, CE Report quotes The Slovenia Times.

Slovenia: Alen Pajenk, Uroš Planinšič 3, Jan Kozamernik 10, Marovt, Bračko, Sašo Štalekar 8, Grega Okroglič, Tine Urnaut 9, Rok Možič 22, Nik Mujanović 24, Janž Kržič 1, Jošt Kržič, Najdič, Šen 1.
Head coach: Fabio Soli.

Japan: Yuji Nishida 10, Masahiro Fukatsu 1, Kento Miyaura 6, Tatsunori Otsuka 9, Yamauchi 4, Tomita, Ran Takahashi 20, Ogawa, Yuki Ishikawa 2, Kai 1, Nishimoto 2, Yamamoto, Evdabe-Dan 5.
Head coach: Laurent Tillie.

After losing to world No. 1 Poland in Saturday's semifinal, Slovenia faced Japan, which had been defeated by the United States in a five-set semifinal. Earlier in the tournament, Japan eliminated China in the quarterfinals, while Slovenia advanced by defeating Türkiye.

The two teams have become regular rivals in the Nations League, meeting seven times before this match. Slovenia had won only once—back in 2021 in Rimini—while Japan had claimed victory in every meeting since 2022, including a 3-1 win during the opening tournament of this year's competition in Linyi.

Head coach Fabio Soli started setter Uroš Planinšič, opposite hitter Nik Mujanović, outside hitters Tine Urnaut and Rok Možič, middle blockers Jan Kozamernik and Sašo Štalekar, and libero Grega Okroglič. Veteran captain Alen Pajenk was unavailable after sustaining an injury in the semifinal.

Slovenia opened the match aggressively and matched Japan point for point in the first set before taking control late. Strong serving, solid blocking, and excellent defense helped the Slovenians pull away, with Urnaut sealing the set 25-21 after a precise assist from Planinšič.

Japan responded in the second set, recovering from an early deficit to edge Slovenia 28-26 after an intense battle that featured multiple lead changes and extended play.

The third set remained close throughout before Slovenia gained momentum behind the attacking play of Mujanović and Možič. Slovenia closed out the set 25-22 to move within one set of victory.

Japan started the fourth set strongly, but Slovenia rallied behind consistent attacking and disciplined defense. Možič and Mujanović led the comeback, while Kozamernik and Janž Kržič contributed key points at the net. Slovenia maintained its advantage in the closing stages and secured the set 25-22, clinching a historic bronze medal.

Nik Mujanović led Slovenia with 24 points, while Rok Možič added 22. Jan Kozamernik contributed 10 points, Tine Urnaut scored nine, and Sašo Štalekar finished with eight.

The victory marks Slovenia's first-ever medal in the Volleyball Nations League and one of the greatest achievements in the history of Slovenian volleyball.

Photo Instagram/slo_volley