Trieste, Italy, October 2, 2014 – Japan earned two points by defeating Germany in a thrilling five-setter 23-25, 26-24, 25-19, 16-25, 15-12 in Thursday’s first match of Pool E at the 2014 FIVB Women’s World Championship.
Japan coach Masayoshi Manabe: Germany is a good team. It is always difficult to play against them but we played well and I am satisfied for the victory we claimed.
Japan captain Kimura Saori: Yesterday we lost in a tiebreak but today finally won our first one. Our next two matches will be tough. We will do our best.
Germany coach Giovanni Guidetti: Congratulations to Japan, they are a great team. We are trying to improve step by step and today we did another one. In fact, block and defence worked properly, although I am not satisfied of how we have attacked.
Germany captain Margareta Kozuch: I want to congratulate the Japanese team; they play great volleyball, especially in defence. We fought hard until the end. Now we have to rest and try to concentrate for our next two matches.