Pool E: Italy – Japan
Head-to-head
• Each of the four previous meetings at the World Championship between these sides were decided in straight sets. In 1978 and 1986, the Asian side won by 3-0 and in 2002 and 2006 the Europeans triumphed without dropping a set.
• On 8 August of this year, they met in the World Grand Prix in a match that was played in Hong Kong. Italy prevailed in five sets.
• Japan have beaten Italy once on their turf in a major competition. In the 2003 World Grand Prix, Japan defeated Italy 3-2 in Gioia del Colle.
Italy
• Italy will advance to the third round unless they lose this match by 3-1 or 3-0. Italy have won at least two sets in each of their last 13 matches at the World Championship.
• Italy finished in the top five in each of the previous four world championships.
• Italy have won six of seven in this tournament, their only defeat coming in their last match of the first round, the 3-2 defeat against Dominican Republic.
Japan
• Japan need a victory to keep their hopes of reaching the third round alive. With a 3-1 or 3-0 victory they will extend those hopes to Sunday, but a 3-2 win might not be enough to do even that.
• Each of Japan's last three matches in this tournament have been decided in five sets. Japan lost to China and Croatia before successfully going the distance against Germany last Thursday.
• Japan took a bronze medal at the World Championship four years ago and finished in the top six in each of the previous two world championships.