Japan crashed out of the Women's Volleyball World Championship on Tuesday after hosts Germany defeated Mexico 3-0 in their final first-round game to clinch third place in Pool A.
Japan blew its chance of an automatic berth into the second round after a humiliating 3-1 defeat to the Czech Republic earlier in the day, a result which allowed Germany back into contention for a spot.
Japan captain Miyuki Takahashi scored 17 points but it was not enough to save the three-time gold medalist, which allowed its European opponents to come from behind several times in the final set before winning 25-23, 21-25, 25-21, 25-23.
Japan coach Masahiro Yoshikawa was as disappointed as his players. "The players did their best so I take the responsibility for this defeat today. I made the wrong substitutions and that's why we have to go home now," he said.
Japan's overall 13th place finish in the competition was its worst in the championships since winning the silver medal in its debut in 1960. In other matches, Greece rewrote the nation's volleyball history, upsetting title favorite China 3-0 for a place in the second round.
Enjoying a reprieve from the International Volleyball Federation, the United States once again replaced injured libera Stacy Sykora with Tara Cross-Battle to defeat winless Kenya 3-0 and remain unbeaten at the end of preliminary-round play.