Lausanne, Switzerland, June 9, 2017 - Japan host Slovenia Saturday in Takasaki, in what is the two sides' very first encounter across any official FIVB competition, but the hosts will be out to try and break Slovenia's unbeaten record against Asian sides in the FIVB World League.
Head-to-Head• Japan will meet Slovenia for the first time in a major international competition.
• Yesterday, Japan ended a six-match losing streak against European opposition in the World League by defeating Turkey.
• Slovenia have won all of their four previous encounters with opponents from Asia, all matches in the World League.
Japan• Japan recorded back-to-back World League wins by defeating Australia (3-1, 4 June) and Turkey (3-1, 9 June).
• Japan could win three successive matches at the World League for the first time since 2008.
• Japan have been unable to win any of their last six five-setters in the World League since their 3-2 win over Germany on 29 June 2014.
• In Japan's last World League match against Turkey, five players reached double figures in scoring - Issei Otake (17), Masahiro Yanagida (13), Akihiro Yamauchi (12), Yuki Ishikawa (12) and Haku Ri (12).
Slovenia• Slovenia played their first five-setter in the World League on Friday, beating Korea 3-2.
• They are now on their longest winning streak in the competition (6).
• Slovenia have lost only one of their 12 World League matches, the 3-1 defeat to Greece on 26 June 2016. Their 92% win percentage is the highest of any team in the competition.
• Slovenia have lost only 11 sets in their 12 World League matches so far. They are the only team to have conceded less than a set per match in the competition.
• Tine Urnaut scored 23 points in Slovenia's last match against Korea, at least 12 points more than any of his teammates.