the live picture from the volleyball competition down in Long Beach this is the game running late between Italy and Japan but it's a good one apparently because they're in the fifth game must be pretty good Bobby Addy sure is Jim as a matter of fact kind of side interesting Japan was favored to win this game they came out though in Italy took the first two games 15-5 15-11 in Japan kind of woke up just a little bit and they came back and won the next two games 15-10 15-10 the score is now tied in the fifth and deciding game at 10 all Japan just scored there they're now leading 11 to 10 Kirk Kilgore our expert commentator Kirk you a little bit surprised at this well I don't think I would say surprise I think this Italian team has a lot of talent they beat a real strong Canada team the first round they're just showing that they are a good team it wasn't a fluke well one thing to remember about this Japanese team they were beaten by the United States opponent coming up later tonight South Korea in Japan so that the United States men might have their work cut out for they'll be playing after this game into the net by Japan side out probably seen a lot of good rallies in this match I've been playing defense and both teams are playing very well well this this match has been going on now for over two hours and ten minutes so these five game matches can go on a long time you might mention also that there are two pulls in volleyball in Group A we have the United States and South Korea who they'll be playing tonight this is a group B let's take a look at a replay though look at left-hander high outside set nobody up fake the block out great play by the center and as I was saying in the in the pools this is group B so the United States would not play either of these teams unless they get to the semi-finals the top two teams from each of the round robin in Group A and Group B go on to the semi-finals Italy serving setter for three he did not start his name is Mitaki he is 32 years old one of the oldest players in the tournament they must have felt they needed the experience they weren't getting very good setting out of their regular set up to account who's only 23 but talk he's been around a long time side out Italy getting down to the final moments every point is very important right here 15 points to win you have to win by two points this is set by the Mitaki Japanese team is very quick they are particularly tall but they have great floor movement earlier tonight they look very lethargic it looked like they're almost in a daze out here sure did we just saw their best hitter Tanaka hit that ball he really bangs it no doubt about that one de Meadow of Italy will also be serving side out think too many uninformed people Italian team to surprise but they play great volleyball in Italy they're showing it now you know going through the rosters of all the international teams it seems as though several of the players on all of the countries teams have played in Italy they have a great league in Italy most of the first team all roles played there in the last four or five years matches now tied at 11 you played there yourself 1976 I played there for three years and I had a great time it was a great experience for those of you who have been listening to all of us talk about volleyball let's take a look at an overall overhead replay right there so overhead shows us the movement of the players you can see from the back the defense doesn't quite set up right balls down what I want to say here is that Kirk Kilgore who played in Italy in 1976 one of the top US players ever developed in this country was injured in a balding accident is a quadriplegic working with me in the booth and doing a great job glad to have you here Italy now leading 12 to 11 that was a big play by Italy they needed that block let's see what the Japanese teams made out of they're supposed to one of the top four teams in the world it's a big hitter for Italy is number four Petoli you can see them go to him here's the set to Petoli right here good luck by Japan great block he's a big hitter for Italy that time block got it why serving now 21 year old oh bad sir that sir should cost and very well could cost Japan the match we'll take a look and see what happens from here side out in the only get points in volleyball while you're serving they're leading 12 to 11 point Italy 13 11 two points to win the match that actually wasn't the setters fault that passes too close to men totally serving their best all-around and most experienced player almost dug it out right there too side out Japan let's take a look at that Kirk here it comes good pass to the center he shoots a short set behind jumps up by the blocker inside he's supposed to block that cross-court ball right out Luigi Bob and Italy's had a lot of success going to the middle tonight with their bigger players going over the Japanese middle blockers 15 points needed to win have to win by two points this Italian team came into the tournament the favorites in their group were Canada and Japan but they came in and just dusted Canada right out of there that was a major surprise Canadians have a very strong volleyball team and now have their work cut out for them they have yet to play Japan and we'll have to beat Japan they have a chance to get into the semi-finals 14 11 could be the match right here well that was an important side out man needs a run right now to get back in this match pen as their best front line and now let's see if they can pull a matchup oh number six just pushed it right over there Giro rubber dingo great play by one time Bob I thought we're gonna have him playing for some Pepperdine I mentioned the Kirk is also the assistant coach of Pepperdine I know you recruited him ball is out side out let's take another look at that Italy has a chance to win it here high outside set Marco Negri hits it barely out of bounds I thought it was good all the big cities in Italy have volleyball teams very well publicized well televised sport there good block by a link about the difference in this game has been Italy's block they've blocked three or four right here at the end and they lead 14 11 and it's match point let's take a look at this block here comes the set both blockers in great position hands up older than that straight down great play that's point hardest point to score Bob is the four is a 15th one top hitter on the Japanese team to not know Japan Charlie 14 11 deciding game and here he is well great save by the center that's two saves each side has had a center save that ball 12 14 it's a great game once again we'll be showing the US men playing a very strong team from South Korea later this evening U.S. men are undefeated as is the team from South Korea here's Batali again will they go to him all the time don't they particularly when these matches get tight again a saving dig by Japan they're known for their defense and they're going in here well they brought this match back to 14 13 now they can tie it up right here substitution readily the metal coming out cheddar going in Bobby might mention the blockers are allowed to reach over the net as long as they don't touch the net they can reach as far as they can this match is all tied up at 14 deciding that you can't get any closer than this right now three out of five after win by two a great diving save on the serve by Marco Negri he saved that a sir and just as soon as he's in the game to make that save he's right back out again the metal will be serving the floor here in the floor for the perspiration this match this game right here this match could really decide who's going to go into the semi-finals one of these teams will be in the semi-finals or both Canada has their work cut out for them they have to beat Japan well never clear the net wait let's check it in the replay ball an aqua block into the antenna great call by the umpire he saw it the ball can't touch that antenna what's out of play side out for Japan Tanaka serving have a chance to see those antennas Bob the ball must be hit inside the antennas across the net tied at 14 Tanaka serving and now the pendulum that's one back in Japan's favor they lead 15-14 in this their match point substitution totally coming out why this substitution this seems to be their best player well he has been her best player all night long I'm not sure why you would make this move we'll have to see this is a great win for Japan they were down they came back Italy now has beaten Canada now lost to Japan United States yet to come very exciting match out here tonight