Pool E: Italy – Belgium
Head-to-head
• Italy and Belgium have played one World Championship match. In 1978, Italy won in straight sets in the 2nd group stage.
• At the 2013 European Championship, Belgium booked their first ever victory against Italy (3-1 in the group stage). They lost the previous three matches against the Italians.
• Italy have always won at least one set in main tournament matches against Belgium.
Italy
• Italy have fared well against CEV nations at the last two World Championships. They won seven of eight, only Czech Republic pulled off a five-set win against them in 2010.
• Italy have given up at least one set in each of their last three matches, immediately after registering five straight set victories in a row.
• Italy have won at least two sets in each of their last 12 World Championship matches, their outright longest streak in the competition.
Belgium
• Belgium conceded 109 points in their five-set defeat against Dominican Republic on Wednesday, almost as many as in their two matches prior to this encounter. In wins against Azerbaijan (54 conceded) and Puerto Rico (56), they conceded a combined 110.
• Belgium are in their third World Championship. The most victories for them in a single tournament is four in 1956, a number they could equal with a win against Italy.
• Belgium play their second match against a CEV side at this World Championship. In Pool D, they beat Azerbaijan in straight sets.