Lausanne, Switzerland, May 25, 2018 - Both Serbia and Germany lost their opening matches of the 2018 FIVB Volleyball Nations League, but only one will remain winless in the competition after they go head-to-head on Saturday in Kraljevo. Serbia lead the series 5-4.
Head-to-Head
• In nine major world level encounters, Serbia (including Yugoslavia and Serbia & Montenegro) have beaten Germany (including West Germany and East Germany) five times, while Germany won four matches.
• World level major competitions are: the VNL, Olympic Games, World Championships, World Cup, World League and Grand Champions Cup.
• The last world level encounter between these countries came at the 2013 World League. Germany won the first encounter 3-1 on 29 June, but Serbia beat Germany the next day in a five setter. Both teams failed to qualify for the final round.
• These countries met twice at the Olympic Games. Serbia won 3-1 in 2008 and finished fifth (Germany ninth). In 2012, Germany won in five sets and finished fifth (Serbia ninth).
• In 2010, Serbia beat Germany in straight sets at the World Championship. Serbia went on to finish third (Germany eighth).
• In 2017, Germany beat Serbia in a five setter in the European Championship semifinals. Germany lost the final 3-2 against Russia, while Serbia won the third place game 3-2 against Belgium.
• Germany is in 10th place on the FIVB world ranking, only five points ahead of Serbia who are ninth.
Germany
• Germany lost 3-1 to Italy in their first match at the VNL.
• Germany have not lost successive major world level matches since losing their first three at the 2016 World League.
• Of Germany's last 11 defeats at major world level, nine have come against fellow CEV sides, including each of their last four.
• Germany's last 20 major world level victories were by a 3-0 or 3-1 scoreline. Their last win in a decider came against Argentina at the 2014 World League.
• Marcus Boehme scored four of Germany's six points from stuff blocks against Italy.
• Boehme (11) was one of three players to score at least 10 points for Germany versus Italy, alongside Simon Hirsch (13) and Moritz Reichert (12).
Serbia
• In their Nations League opener, Serbia lost 3-0 to Brazil, despite outspiking (36 v 32) and outserving (8 v 6) them.
• Serbia are on a five-match losing streak at major world level. Serbia's only longer losing run at major world level was a streak of six defeats at the 1966 World Championships (as Yugoslavia).
• The last time Serbia failed to win a set in successive major world level fixtures was at the 2014 World League (twice against Russia).
• Serbia have not lost their opening two matches of a tournament at major world level since losing twice against Brazil at the 2015 World League. They went on to reach the final in which they lost to France.
• Aleksandar Atanasijevic (15) was Serbia's leading scorer against Germany. Marko Ivovic (11) and Srecko Lisinac (10) also scored at least 10 points in that match.