Japan Men's Goalball Team Defeated by Germany in World Championship Semifinals, to Fight for First-Ever Medal in Third-Place Match
In the semifinals of the 2026 IBSA Goalball World Championships on June 14, Japan's men's team lost 6-12 to Germany, missing the finals. However, securing a spot in the top 4 marks a historic high for the men's team, and they will compete for their first-ever medal in the third-place match on June 15.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: June 15, 2026 at 06:50
- 🔍 Collected: June 14, 2026 at 22:06
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: June 14, 2026 at 22:07 (1 min after Collected)
On Sunday, June 14, 2026, the semifinals of the "2026 IBSA Goalball World Championships" took place, where the Japanese men's team faced Germany and was defeated 6-12.
Previously, the best results for Japan at the World Championships were 6th place for the men's team and 4th place for the women's team. By reaching the top 4 in this tournament, the men's team has updated their highest-ever ranking. Regardless of the outcome of the third-place match, this will equal or exceed the best-ever performance in the history of Japanese goalball.
Aiming for their first-ever medal at the World Championships, the team will play in the third-place match on Monday, June 15, at 17:30 (JST).
■ Men's Semifinals Result
Japan 6-12 Germany
■ Comments from Men's Head Coach Kudo
"We need to study the cause of the defeat, but in terms of defense, we couldn't hold out against Germany's strong throws when we needed to be patient. The conceded points at critical moments were significant, and I felt Germany was simply better. The crowd was loud, making it hard to hear, but the opponent faced the same conditions, so that is no excuse. We were simply not strong enough. We will put today behind us, focus on the next match, and bring home a medal as the best way to thank everyone who supports us."
■ Comments from Men's Captain Kaneko
"Honestly, the first half was tough, but we expected that against a strong German team. Despite some minor mistakes on our part, we brought it to a tie, so the flow wasn't bad. However, we couldn't handle the key throws they made at crucial moments. I played on the right wing at the end, which meant we were in a final desperation mode to score by any means. I kept moving and calling out until the end. We will definitely bring home a medal, so please support us until the end!"
■ Schedule for June 15 (JST)
- 17:30 Men's Third-Place Match
- 19:00 Women's Fifth-Place Match
Previously, the best results for Japan at the World Championships were 6th place for the men's team and 4th place for the women's team. By reaching the top 4 in this tournament, the men's team has updated their highest-ever ranking. Regardless of the outcome of the third-place match, this will equal or exceed the best-ever performance in the history of Japanese goalball.
Aiming for their first-ever medal at the World Championships, the team will play in the third-place match on Monday, June 15, at 17:30 (JST).
■ Men's Semifinals Result
Japan 6-12 Germany
■ Comments from Men's Head Coach Kudo
"We need to study the cause of the defeat, but in terms of defense, we couldn't hold out against Germany's strong throws when we needed to be patient. The conceded points at critical moments were significant, and I felt Germany was simply better. The crowd was loud, making it hard to hear, but the opponent faced the same conditions, so that is no excuse. We were simply not strong enough. We will put today behind us, focus on the next match, and bring home a medal as the best way to thank everyone who supports us."
■ Comments from Men's Captain Kaneko
"Honestly, the first half was tough, but we expected that against a strong German team. Despite some minor mistakes on our part, we brought it to a tie, so the flow wasn't bad. However, we couldn't handle the key throws they made at crucial moments. I played on the right wing at the end, which meant we were in a final desperation mode to score by any means. I kept moving and calling out until the end. We will definitely bring home a medal, so please support us until the end!"
■ Schedule for June 15 (JST)
- 17:30 Men's Third-Place Match
- 19:00 Women's Fifth-Place Match
FAQ
What was Japan's previous best record in the Goalball World Championships?
The previous best results for Japan were 6th place for the men's team and 4th place for the women's team.
Who did Japan play in the men's semifinals of the 2026 World Championships and what was the score?
Japan played against Germany and lost with a score of 6-12.
When is the third-place match for the Japan men's team scheduled?
It is scheduled to take place on Monday, June 15 at 17:30 (JST).