Chapter Text
Game 8: Japan vs. Germany
Today’s game is the bronze medal game! Japan faces off against Germany for the second time these Games! Last time it was a loss for Japan, can they overcome that and beat Germany today?
Starting lineup for Japan is: Tsukishima, Nishinoya, Hinata, Yamamoto, Akaashi, Kageyama (Kuroo in the defence) and Sawamura! Notably, Bokuto is absent for the starting lineup, rumour has it that he hit and possibly sprained his finger at yesterday’s practice but nothing was confirmed!
1st Minute: 0:0 - The game begins!
2nd Minute: 1:1 - A strong start from both teams, the passion and want to play is basically radiating off the court. Sawamura opens the game with a goal for Japan. The Germans retaliate with a goal of their own.
3rd Minute: 2:1 - Yamamoto scores bringing Japan in the lead. In the goal, it’s Tsukishima with the first save of the day! A great start from Japan!
5th Minute: 3:1 - Akaashi with his first goal of the game! Through fastbreak and a pass from Yamamoto!
6th Minute: 4:2 - Germany finds a hole in the otherwise solid Japanese defence and scores, but Yamamoto scores again!
8th Minute: 4:6 - Germany cranks it up a notch and manages to score four goals in two minutes, while Japan scores none.
10th Minute: 5:7 - Up front, Sawamura scores but the Germans follow up with a goal of their own.
11th Minute: 6:7 - A two-minute suspension for the Germans and Sawamura scores yet again! They simply cannot stop him!
12th Minute: 7:7 - Kageyama scores for the first time! He pulls through the defence without any problems and sends the ball straight into the upper right corner!
13th Minute: 7:8 - The Germans score on a penalty and take the lead again.
15th Minute: 8:8 - Yamamoto scores again! He shows off some impressive footwork and completely tricks the Germans.
16th Minute: 8:10 - Two goals from the Germans in rapid succession.
17th Minute: 9:10 - Hinata scores the first goal from the wings today.
18th Minute: 10:10 - Sawamura equalizes! A beautiful pass from Kageyama to Sawamura.
20th Minute: 10:12 - Germany is really bringing their A-game today! Coach Nekomata calls a timeout.
22th Minute: 12:13 - The timeout must’ve worked! Two quick goals from Kageyama and Sawamura respectively.
23rd Minute: 13:13 - Japan equalizes and again it’s Kageyama!
24th Minute: 14:13 - Yamamoto brings Japan in the lead!
25th Minute: 14:14 This time it’s Germany’s turn to equalize.
27th Minute: 15:14 - Hinata claws the lead back with a goal!
28th Minute: 15:15 - Respect! The Germans score with a kempa! It takes gut to use such a risky move at this critical point in the game!
29th Minute: 15:16 - The Germans score on a fastbreak!
30th Minute: 16:16 - Kageyama scores on a penalty! And with that, the first half is over!
HALFTIME: 16:16 - A truly spectacular game! Both offences are in a goalscoring mood today, we’ve already seen 32 goals today! The Japanese defence is solid but could turn it up a notch in an effort to win!
31st Minute: 16:16 - We’re off again, Japan begins in the defence! Only change in the lineup is that Bokuto enters the court in place of Akaashi!
33rd Minute: 16:16 - So far no goals in the second half thanks to two very good defences.
34th Minute: 17:16 - Bokuto scores, with a hammer of a shot leaving the goal shaking.
35th Minute: 17:18 - Germany with two fast goals and now in the lead!
36th Minute: 18:18 - Bokuto equalizes!
37th Minute: 18:19 - Germany now in the lead, this game can really go either way!
39th Minute: 18:20 - Kageyama misses on a penalty and the Germans score on a fast break.
40th Minute: 19:21 - Germany scores but so does Yamamoto! He really is proving his worth on the team today!
42nd Minute: 21:21 - Nishinoya scores and Bokuto follows up with a goal of his own not long after! Japan is back in the game!
43rd Minute: 22:21 - Hinata brings Japan in the lead! Germany calls a timeout!
44th Minute: 22:22 - Germany equalizes.
45th Minute: 22:24 - Two fast goals from Germany and Japan is on the chase again, Nekomata calls another team timeout.
46th Minute: 23:24 - The timeout seemingly worked! Yamamoto pulls through the German defence and scores!
47th Minute: 24:24 - Hinata scores on a fastbreak! Less than 15 minutes remaining and this game couldn’t be more exciting!
49th Minute: 25:25 - The Germans score, but Kageyama responds with a goal for Japan! This truly is a game of equals!
51th Minute: 25:25 - Both teams with a failed pass! The nerves might be getting to them, as well as the physical exhaustion.
53rd Minute: 26:26 - The Germans score again, but Sawamura equalizes!
53rd Minute: 27:27 - This time, it’s Kageyama who scores and equalizes. The game is still tough, it’s close, but this is why we watch this sport!
54th Minute: 27:28 - The Germans take the lead again! Yamamoto misses.
55th Minute: 27:28 - Tsukishima saves! Two-minute suspension for Germany and Japan is in possession of the ball! Now is the chance!
56th Minute: 28:28 - Sawamura equalizes! A strong performance today from him! Less than five minutes remain and the game could still go either way!
57th Minute: 29:28 - Kageyama jumps and he SCORES! Japan now in the lead!
58th Minute: 29:29 - Germany equalizes, less than two minutes left!
59th Minute: 31:30 - Two goals from Kageyama who manages to keep a cool head and brings Japan in the lead!
60th Minute: 31:31 - Germany equalizes with 20 seconds left on the clock. Nekomata takes the last timeout. Will we see overtime again?
60th Minute: 32:31 - SAWAMURAA!! He scores, Japan leads by one with five seconds left!
END: 32:31 - The Germans don’t manage to score and Japan wins 32:31! Japan wins Olympic bronze! This is a truly remarkable feat that will go down in not only Japan’s history but in handball history!