Lausanne, Switzerland, June 16, 2017 - Italy have made their worst start this year to any FIVB World League, but take on Belgium Saturday in Antwerp after handing France their first defeat of the season on Friday. Italy and Belgium meet for the third time in the history of the competition, after Italy won both of their matches last year.
Head-to-Head• Italy and Belgium have met twice in the World League. Italy won both encounters, played last year, in straight sets.
• Belgium's last win in a competitive match against Italy came at the 2015 European Games when they prevailed in five sets.
• In 1948, the very first men's European Championship, both teams made it to the final round. Italy won in straight sets and would eventually claim a bronze medal. Belgium finished fifth.
Italy• Italy (W2-L5) have made their worst start to a World League campaign.
• Italy's five-set win against France ended a run of five consecutive World League defeats.
• Italy's only other win in this year's World League came in their opening fixture, in straight sets versus Iran.
• Italy's last two World League matches have gone to a deciding set (W1-L1), after only two of their previous 19 fixtures in the competition had gone the full distance.
Belgium• Belgium have won three of their seven 2017 World League matches. They recorded three victories in their entire 2016 World League campaign.
• Of Belgium's last nine World League matches, six have gone to a deciding set. They finished on the winning team in only one of those five-setters (v Argentina).
• Belgium have lost four of their last five World League matches against CEV opposition. The only exception in that run was the straight-set victory against Serbia in their second fixture of this year's edition.