Lausanne, Switzerland, June 13, 2018 - After edging Turkey in five dramatic sets on Tuesday, The Netherlands now need one more win (any score) on Wednesday against China in Stuttgart to make the Final Six of the 2018 FIVB Volleyball Nations League. China are directly qualified as hosts of the finals, 27 June to 1 July in Nanjing. The two sides go head-to-head for the 28th time in history, with the Chinese leading the series 20-7.
Head-to-Head
• China and The Netherlands have met 27 times at major world level tournaments with the Chinese leading the head-to-head 20-7.
• The women's world level major competitions are: the VNL, Olympic Games, World Championships, World Cup, World Grand Prix and Grand Champions Cup.
• All seven wins by The Netherlands came in five-setters, while only the last of China's 20 victories was decided in five sets - at the 2017 World Grand Prix.
• The Netherlands' last major world level win against China came in the group stage at the 2016 Olympic Games (3-2). Almost two weeks later they met in the semifinals in Rio, where China won 3-1.
China
• China's overall record at the VNL is seven wins and six defeats.
• As the hosts, China have been granted automatic qualification for the Final Round in Nanjing.
• Seven of China's 13 VNL matches were decided in straight sets, with China winning five of those seven fixtures. The last world level major tournament in which they had at least six straight-set wins was at the 2016 World Grand Prix (7).
• After losing both of their first two five-setters in the VNL, China beat Germany in a decider on Tuesday. Gong Xiangyu, Li Yingying and Duan Fang were their top scorers with 12 points apiece.
• China could still suffer at least three five-set defeats at a single world level major tournament for the first time since the 2014 World Grand Prix (also 3).
Netherlands
• The Netherlands have won 10 of their 13 VNL matches. Any win against China will be sufficient for final round qualification.
• The Netherlands could equal their win record in a single world level major tournament, set during the 2007 World Grand Prix (11).
• Netherlands' last three matches were decided in a fifth set: a defeat against Italy and wins over Serbia and Turkey. Netherlands have never played four five-setters in a row in world level major tournaments.
• Lonneke Sloetjes is The Netherlands' top scorer in the VNL with 160 points scored. She again led her team in scoring against Turkey on Tuesday with 24 points.