In a thrilling encounter in Antalya, Japan handed the defending champions and world’s top-ranked Türkiye a surprising defeat at the start of the 2024 Volleyball Nations League. Japanese captain Sarina Koga led from the front with an astonishing 31 points, dazzling the nearly 10,000 local supporters and securing a nail-biting 3-2 victory (25-23, 25-21, 23-25, 20-25, 15-11). Koga’s impressive haul included 27 kills, three aces, and a kill block, highlighting her pivotal role in Japan’s success. The win is significant for Japan as they battle for a spot in the Paris 2024 Olympics. Further bolstering Japan’s performance was Mayu Ishikawa, who added 20 points. Despite Türkiye’s superior blocking—15 to Japan’s seven—the Japanese team excelled in crucial moments to clinch the match.
Earlier in the day, Germany defeated France with a clean 3-0 sweep, while Brazil and China also registered wins in their opening matches, setting the stage for an exciting tournament.
