Germany - Japan (World Grand Prix 2013, full match)

First two sets didn't foreshadow us, that we can have a tie-break here. Germany had a visible advantage, thanks to strong block, astonishing defense and throughgoing spikes. Japan, with new players on the court started playing better from third set. Defense was perfect, Germans couldn't killed numerous spikes because of digs made by libero Kotoki Zayasu. After lost third set outside hitter Maren Brinker was sent on bench and replaced by Jennifer Geerties who had few succesful actions, but wasn't enough replacement. Japan won this match, mostly by their substitutes, Nagaoka was the key player. Margareta Kozuch (Germany team captain) said: "First of all I would like to congratulate Japan for today's victory. I think that the match was great for fans, and it was a close one with a big fight. Japan played well in defense. We led 2:0 in sets and of course we realized that Japan is a well-organised team, so we should win it in three sets. Now for us the most important is to take some experience in each match to be well prepared to European Championships. We fight until the end for every ball and we can be proud because of it".

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