Pool E: Croatia – Japan
Head-to-head
• Croatia and Japan will meet for the second time at the World Championship. In 1998 Croatia beat Japan in straight sets.
• Both teams met twice at the World Cup. In 1999 Japan recorded a 3-1 win over Croatia and in 1995 Croatia won the match in five sets.
Croatia
• Croatia have won their last two matches at this World Championship and could win a record-equalling third in a row for the first time since 1998. Back then, their third straight win came against Japan.
• Croatia can win at least one set in their fourth straight world championship match. This would indicate a national team record for Croatia.
• Mia Jerkov is one of two players with double digit aces at this World Championship (10). The other is Charlotte Leys (Belgium, 11).
Japan
• Japan have lost two of their first five matches in this year’s tournament. In 2010, they remained unbeaten in the first five, while losing only one in 2006.
• Japan have won at least one set in every match in 2010 and in every match in 2014 thus far (16 straight matches).
• In their past 26 world championship matches, they only once lost back-to-back matches (in 2010). This could happen again now.