NINGBO, China - Japan failed to reach the final of the men's Volleyball Nations League after losing to 2024 Paris Olympic bronze medalist the United States 3-2 on Saturday.
The Japanese national team made the final stage following a perfect preliminary round with 12 straight wins, before defeating final-round host China 3-1 in the quarterfinals on Wednesday.
However, Japan suffered a 25-19, 23-25, 20-25, 25-19, 15-13 defeat to the United States, dropping into Sunday's bronze medal match against Slovenia.
Slovenia also moved to the third-place playoff after falling to Poland in three straight sets in the other semifinal.
Japan was bidding for its first-ever Nations League title, having finished as the runner-up to France two years ago.
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