Lausanne, Switzerland, June 12, 2018 - Italy go for their 500th win at a world level competition when they face China, Friday in Seoul, to open Week 4 of the 2018 FIVB Volleyball Nations League. China have beaten Italy only once in their last 20 matches at world level - a straight-set win at the 2009 FIVB World League.
Head-to-Head
• China have won only one of their last 20 matches against Italy in world level major tournaments, a straight sets victory in Verona in the 2009 World League (13 June 2009).
• The world level major tournaments are: the VNL, Olympic Games, World Championships, World Cup, World League and Grand Champions Cup.
• Italy have won five consecutive world level major tournament matches versus China in straight sets, since a 3-2 victory in Nanjing in the 2009 World League (18 July 2009).
• The most recent world level major tournament match between China and Italy came in the 2011 World Cup. The Italians won in straight sets in Kumamoto, conceding only 42 points.
China
• China have won only two of their nine VNL matches, 3-0 against Argentina and 3-2 versus France.
• China lost all three VNL matches in week three in straight sets (versus Iran, Russia and Brazil).
• China could lose four consecutive world level major tournament matches in straight sets for the first time since a run of five in a row at the 2014 World Championship.
• China won five sets in their opening two VNL matches, but have won only four sets in their seven fixtures in the tournament since.
• Jiang Chuan (172) is the leading Nations League points scorer after the opening three weeks.
Italy
• Italy (499) are one short of 500 victories in world level major tournaments. They would become the third team to achieve this, after Brazil and Russia (including the Soviet Union and CIS).
• Italy began the VNL with three consecutive victories, but have won only two of their six matches since.
• Italy play a world level major tournament match in Korea for the first time since the 2012 World League, when they recorded one win and two defeats in Gwangju.
• Simone Giannelli is ranked as the best setter after the opening three weeks of the VNL. China's Meng Liu is second.