Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic, July 1, 2017 – Japan and Czech Republic played the classification playoff for the 13th place at the FIVB Volleyball Men’s U21 World Championship and a five-set thriller had to decide the winner. It was Kento Miyaura who led the Japanese team to victory 3-2 over the Czechs (22-25, 20-25, 25-21, 25-15, 15-13).
Japan started the match quick with a 8-4 score at the first technical time-out. However it was Czech Republic adding an ace in the last stage of the set and claimed the first set.
The Czech team started well in the second set and took the lead. Despite good efforts from Japan in their defense and digging opportunities, It was the Czech Republic who closed the second set.
With two sets in the advantage of the Czech team.
It was now or never for the Japanese team. They regrouped and with a well-focused game they clinched the set.
Third set was dominated by the Japanesem the took their chance seriously. With a 68% score on spike against 45% for the Czechs, Japan took the set with ease.
The Japanese didn’t give Czech Republic any chance in the fourth set as they took the with a ten point difference.
It was down to a tie-break who was going up for the 13th place. With a failed service attempt, the Czech Republic had to accept their defeat.