Lausanne, Switzerland, June 24, 2017 - Australia host The Netherlands Sunday in Gold Coast for the bronze medal of the 2017 FIVB World League Group 2, after both were knocked out Saturday in the semifinals by Japan and Slovenia respectively. They meet for the second time in World League history after Australia won their match in 2014 - though the Dutch lead the overall series across all competitions 4-1.
Head-to-Head• Netherlands and Australia have played each other once in the World League, with the Volleyroos winning 3-0 in Sydney in 2014. All other four world level matches between these teams, between 1997 and 2004, were won by Netherlands.
• Of their 45 matches against Asian competition (incl. Australia), Netherlands have won 38. However, they have lost two of their last three.
• Of their 43 matches against European competition, Australia have won only 10. Still, this includes their last three.
Netherlands• Netherlands fell to Slovenia in straight sets in Saturday’s Group 2 semi-final. This was Netherlands’ 300th match in the World League.
• The defeat against Slovenia broke a six-match winning streak for the Dutch, their longest since 11 matches in 1996-1997.
• After their defeat against Slovenia, Netherlands are still unbeaten against four World League opponents: Slovakia (3 wins), Egypt (2), Argentina (4) and Japan (6). Australia is the only team they met at least once and never won against.
Australia• Australia suffered defeat against Japan in the semi-finals on Saturday. The Aussies lost the fifth set 18-16.
• This was the first time for Australia to lose a five-setter in the World League this season. They had won their first two against Portugal and Japan.
• Australia could lose back-to-back World League matches for the second time this season, after losing consecutively to Slovakia and Japan in Week 1.