On 15 July 2026 in Osaka, Japan defeated world champions Italy 3-2 (24-26, 25-19, 25-20, 23-25, 15-12) in the 2026 Men's Volleyball Nations League, moving to nine straight wins. Ran Takahashi closed as the standout with 26 points.
The clash also marked Simone Giannelli's debut in the 2026 VNL, with Italy central to a back-and-forth contest only decided in the tie-break. After dropping the first set, Japan turned the script with two straight sets, weathered the azzurri fightback and sealed it 15-12 in the fifth.
The win confirms Japan's red-hot form, capable of overcoming the reigning world champions and extending its winning streak. For Italy, fielding its reference setter, the loss came at the tie-break against one of the tournament's in-form sides.