Lausanne, Switzerland, May 30, 2018 - Germany put an end to a six-match losing streak Wednesday when they edged Thailand and now look to go one further when they meet the Dominican Republic, Thursday in Bangkok for the 2018 FIVB Volleyball Nations League. The Europeans have beaten the 'Queens of the Caribbean' in four of their last five encounters - the Dominican win coming at the 2014 FIVB World Championship.
Head-to-Head
• Germany have won four of their last five clashes with the Dominican Republic at world level major competitions.
• The women's world level major competitions are: the VNL, Olympic Games, World Championships, World Cup, World Grand Prix and Grand Champions Cup.
• Germany have won the last two encounters in straight sets, both matches were played at the 2015 World Grand Prix.
• Dominican Republic's most recent win over Germany was a 3-2 victory at the 2014 World Championships.
• The last five of Dominican Republic's total of six wins versus Germany came in five sets. The only exception was the 3-1 win over West Germany at the 1978 World Championships.
Dominican Republic
• Four of the Dominican Republic's last five Nations League matches finished after three sets: 3-0 wins over Argentina and Thailand and 3-0 defeats against Brazil and United States. The only exception was the 3-1 loss versus Turkey on 23 May.
• The Dominican Republic have won their last three matches at world level major competitions in which they claimed the opening set.
• Brayelin Martinez was again the Dominican Republic's top scorer in the defeat against United States on 19 points.
• In total, Martinez has scored 139 points for the Dominican Republic in the 2018 VNL, at least 46 more than any of her teammates.
• Jineiry Martinez scored six points against USA: two from spikes, two from blocks and two from aces.
Germany
• On Wednesday, Germany claimed their second victory of the 2018 VNL as they defeated Thailand 3-2. Germany took a 2-0 lead, then lost two sets in a row but went on to win the final set 15-10.
• Germany could now win consecutive matches within a single world level major tournament for the first time since the 2017 World Grand Prix, where they won eight matches in a row.
• Germany have not won successive five-setters at major world level since 2004 to 2005, when they defeated Cuba at the 2004 Olympic Games and Dominican Republic at the 2005 World Grand Prix.
• Both Louisa Lippmann (22) and Maren Fromm (20) scored 20+ points in the win over Thailand.
• Marie Schoelzel and Lisa Gruending both scored six points from blocks against Thailand. The entire Thailand team scored eight points from blocks combined.