Lausanne, Switzerland, June 8, 2017 - Japan host Turkey in Takasaki Friday, with the visitors looking at retaining their unbeaten head-to-head FIVB World League record against the hosts.
Head-to-Head• Turkey won both previous matches against Japan in the World League, beating them 3-2 and 3-0 in 2016.
• Turkey also won their two previous World League matches against China (in 2016 and 2017), meaning they have a perfect 4-0 record against AVC teams.
• Japan have lost their last six World League matches against CEV teams, since their straight sets victory over Finland last season (17 June 2016).
Japan• Japan won their most recent World League match, beating Australia 3-1 on 4 June.
• That win ended an eight-match losing streak for the Japanese in the World League.
• Japan can now win consecutive World League matches for the first time since June 2015, when they beat Korea 3-0 in successive matches.
• 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.
• After the first weekend, Fujii Naonobu is the best setter in Group 2 (10.17 average by set).
Turkey• Turkey started their 2017 World League campaign with victories over China, Egypt and Netherlands.
• In 2016, they kicked off with five successive wins in the competition, before losing 3-1 to Egypt.
• Turkey's last three defeats in the World League came against teams from three difference confederations: Egypt (CAVB), Canada (NORCECA) and Netherlands (CEV). They can now lose to an AVC team.
• After the first weekend, Metin Toy is the top scorer in Group 2 with 67 points.