Ranked first and second in the world, Poland and Japan booted Brazil and Canada out of title contention, respectively, to advance to the semifinals of the 2024 VNL.
The top two teams in the world carved out resounding victories in the quarterfinals of the 2024 Volleyball Nations League (VNL) on Thursday, June 27.
World No. 2 Japan secured the first semifinal berth after dashing the title dreams of the erstwhile-streaking Canada, 26-24, 25-18, 26-24, at the Atlas Arena, in Lódz, Poland.
After losing to the Canadians in five sets in the Manila Leg for Week 3 of the preliminaries, the Ryujin Nippon exacted revenge even sans Ran Takahashi, who continues to recuperate from a nagging knee injury.
[ALSO READ: VNL: Japan's Yuji Nishida hopes injured teammate Ran Takahashi 'comes back much better']
Team captain Yuki Ishikawa once again carried the cudgels with 26 points in three sets, pummeling 20 attacks, three blocks, and three aces.
Tatsunori Otsuka was the only other Japanese player in double figures with 10 points, while Yuji Nishida contributed seven markers in his return from abdominal pain.
On the other hand, Arthur Szwarc and Stephen Maar poured 17 and 14 points in the crushing defeat.
Ryujin Nippon will next face the winner between Slovenia and Argentina.
Meanwhile, world No. 1 Poland sent Brazil out of championship contention, pulling off a four-set victory, 18-25, 25-23, 25-22, 25-16.
Wilfredo León took charge with 18 points built on 14 attacks, two blocks, and two aces for the Poles, who bucked an opening-set hiccup before seizing control in the succeeding frames.
Team captain Bartosz Kurek also made his presence felt with 12 markers, while Tomasz Fornal and Jakub Kochanowski pitched in 11 and 10 points, respectively.
Both teams had nearly identical production in the scoring department, but errors made all the difference, as Brazil committed 28 miscues compared to Poland's 23.
Darlan Souza put up a game-high 21 points that went down the drain, while Yoandy Leal was the only other Brazilian in twin-digit territory with 17 markers.
Next up for the Poles is a semifinal clash with the winner between Italy and France.
The semifinals will begin on Saturday, following the conclusion of the quarterfinals on Friday.