Pool E: Croatia – China
Head-to-head
• China have won three of four encounters against Croatia at main tournaments, including the last two.
• One of these four matches was a World Championship match. In 1998, China won 3-2.
• This is the first time Croatia and China meet in a match scheduled after the first round of a main tournament.
Croatia
• Croatia have won their last three matches at this World Championship, equalling the nation’s record set in 1998. Another win would give them the outright best streak ever.
• Croatia have won at least one set in each of their last five World Championship matches, their longest streak ever.
• On Wednesday, Croatia beat Japan. Japan were their seventh Asian opponents at World Championships, most of all associations. China will be the eighth from AVC.
• Croatia’s win against Japan was their fourth against an Asian nation, outright most against a single association. Until yesterday, they had three wins against AVC and CEV nations.
China
• China have lost only two sets at this World Championship, fewest of all nations. United States follow with three sets conceded.
• China have won six straight World Championship matches, most since winning 20 straight from the 1982 2nd group stage to the 1990 semifinal. Their first loss in 1990 came in the final against Soviet Union.
• China have lost three of their last 13 World Championship matches, all against CEV sides. In 2010, Russia, Serbia and Poland proved too strong.