Lausanne, Switzerland, June 9, 2017 - China and Slovakia meet for the 8th time in FIVB World League history Saturday in Helsinki, with the Asian side leading the series 5-2 - though Slovakia have the edge this season with 3 wins so far to China's 2 after five games.
Head-to-Head• For the fourth successive season, these teams will meet at least once in the World League.
• Their only World League run-in last season was won 3-0 by China, who improved their record in the competition to five wins and two defeats against Slovakia.
• Slovakia won their only two home encounters with China, but lost all five other meetings that took place outside of Slovakia.
China• China have lost both D2 matches after recording two wins out of three in the opening weekend of the 2017 World League.
• Only one of China's last 14 World League matches has gone to a fifth set, the 3-2 defeat against Turkey in their opening fixture of this year's edition.
• Jiang Chuan (99) is China's leading scorer in this year's World League, 55 more than this nearest teammate (Chen Longhai 44).
Slovakia• Slovakia have lost both D2 matches in straight sets, having won their opening three 2017 World League fixtures for the loss of only one set.
• Slovakia suffered three straight-set defeats in their first three participations in the World League (including one against China in 2016).
• Slovakia could claim four wins in a single World League edition for the first time. They recorded exactly three victories in each of their previous three participations.