Lausanne, Switzerland, May 17, 2018 - Germany look for their second win in the 2018 FIVB Volleyball Nations League, when they take on Japan, Thursday in Barueri, after stunning pool hosts Brazil on the opening day and then falling to reigning European champions Serbia. But Japan, who are still seeking their first win of the season, have beaten Germany in six of their last seven encounters.
Head-to-head
• Japan have won six of their last seven major world level meetings with Germany. The only exception in this run is a 3-1 defeat at the 2012 World Grand Prix (preliminary round).
• World level major competitions are: Olympic Games, World Championships, World Cup, World Grand Prix and Grand Champions Cup.
• Their most recent major world level encounter came at the 2016 World Grand Prix. Japan won 3-1 in the preliminary round.
• Japan have won each of their last four five-setters against Germany at major world level tournaments, since a defeat at the 1993 World Grand Prix.
Germany
• Germany's 3-1 win against Brazil was followed up by a 3-0 loss to Serbia.
• In 2017, Germany never suffered two defeats in a row at world level major tournaments.
• The last time Germany suffered consecutive defeats at a world level major tournament was their run of nine defeats at the 2016 World Grand Prix.
• This was also the last time they lost back-to-back matches by a 3-0 scoreline, versus China and The Netherlands.
Japan
• Japan lost their first two matches at the VNL. The last world level major tournament at which they lost their first three matches was the 2014 World Grand Prix (then 5).
• Including the 2017 Grand Champions Cup, Japan could lose five matches in a row at world level major tournaments for the first time since five at the 2015 World Grand Prix.
• Japan's last victory at a world level major tournament was the 3-2 win against Brazil at the Grand Champions Cup in 2017.
• The last three wins for Japan at world level major tournaments against European opponents have been five-setters.