FIVB WORLD LEAGUE PREVIEWS WEEK 2 JUNE 23-26, 2016

Transcription

1 Pool D2: Netherlands - Czech Republic (23 June) This is the fifth World League meeting between Netherlands and Czech Republic. Netherlands have won all four previous meetings, dropping a total of four sets. All these four previous meetings were in The last time these teams met was at the 2015 European Championship, where Netherlands won 3-1 in the Group Stage. The last time Czech Republic beat Netherlands was at the 2005 European Championship (3-0). Netherlands Netherlands lost 3-0 in their last match against Turkey last week. They can lose successive World League matches for the first time since the Final Four of 2014, when they lost against Australia and Belgium (both by 3-0). The last time they lost successive World League matches in the Intercontinental Round was in Maarten van Garderen has a 64% success rate in spikes, best of all Group 2 players this season. Jasper Diefenbach averages 1.00 block per set on average, best of all Group 2 players. Czech Republic Czech Republic lost their last match last week 3-1 to Canada. The last time they recorded successive World League defeats was last season when they lost against Korea followed by four consecutive losses against France. Czech Republic have played 13 five-set matches, of which they have won nine and lost four. They lost their most recent five-set match, against Egypt last weekend. They have never lost consecutive five-set matches in the competition. Marek Beer has 11 stuff blocks, most of all Group 2 players this season.

2 Pool D2: Slovakia - Cuba (23 June) This is the first meeting between Slovakia and Cuba at a major tournament. Slovakia have won three of their four World League matches against NORCECA teams; the last three. Cuba have lost their last five World League matches against CEV teams. Their last victory was against Turkey (3-2) in the final of the Group 3 Final Four of the 2014 season. Slovakia Slovakia can win successive World League matches for the second time, following victories over Puerto Rico and China in They have won their last two World League five-setters, after having lost their first six. Slovakia have won three of their five World League matches on home soil, including their most recent one against China in last year's Final Four. Cuba Cuba have not won a World League match by 3-0 in their last 18 attempts. They last won in straight sets against Tunisia in Their 18 consecutive matches without a 3-0 victory is a joint team record ( ). Cuba have won their last six World League matches that went into a fifth set. This is their joint-longest such streak in the competition (also in ).

3 Pool D2: Slovakia - Netherlands (24 June) This will be the second World League meeting between these teams, after Netherlands won 3-1 last weekend in Izmir (Turkey). Netherlands also beat Slovakia 3-1 at the 2007 European Championship and 3-0 at the 2001 European Championship. Slovakia Slovakia started the 2016 World League campaign with two defeats (against Netherlands 3-1 and Turkey 3-0) but are now on a two match winning streak after defeating Portugal in five sets and Cuba in four. Slovakia can win three in a row in the World League for the first time ever. With another win, Slovakia already equalled their team record three wins in a single campaign. They won three in both their previous participations in 2014 and Slovakia have failed to win a single set in only two of their 20 World League matches, both against Turkey. Netherlands Netherlands started the 2016 World League with two victories but lost the following two. They won against Slovakia (3-1) and Portugal (3-0) before they were defeated against Turkey and straight sets and lost in five sets against Czech Republic. Netherlands can lose three consecutive World League matches for the first time since they lost seven in row in Wouter ter Maat became the match top scorer against Czech Republic with 19 points. Although Maarten van Garderen is still the Dutch top scorer of the tournament with 46 points ahead of Ter Maat (43).

4 Pool D2: Cuba - Czech Republic (24 June) This will be the first World League meeting between these teams. The last time Cuba and Czech Republic met each other was at the 2012 Olympic Qualification Tournament, where Cuba won 3-1. Cuba also won 3-1 against Czech Republic at the 2002 and 2006 World Championships. Cuba Cuba have lost their last two World League matches and can lose three in a row for the first time since they lost their first three World League matches in the 2015 World League campaign. Cuba is one win shy of equalling their total World League win of last year. Luis Tomas Sosa Sierra is Cuba's team top scorer in the World League with 51 points. Osmany Santiago Uriarte Mestre is Cuba's best spiker as he scored 39. Czech Republic Czech Republic have won two and lost two matches at the 2016 World League. China (3-1) and Netherlands (3-2) were defeated while Egypt (3-2) and Canada (3-1) proved too strong. Czech Republic can win two consecutive World League matches for the first time since Korea were defeated twice last year. Czech Republic have lost the first set in their last two matches and can lose three in a row for the first time since they lost their first set in four consecutive matches last year, all against France. Michal Finger scored a total of 66 points, most among players from Czech Republic. He also scored a team-high 15 points against Netherlands.

5 Pool D2: Cuba - Netherlands (25 June) This will be the 37 th World League match between these teams. Only Russia v Cuba (46 times), Japan v Russia (43), France v Italy (39) and United States v Brazil (38) have been played more often in the competition. Cuba have won 22 of their previous 36 matches against Netherlands, while Netherlands have won 14, including the most recent match in 2003 (3-1 in Cuba) Netherlands have won seven of their last eight World League meetings with Cuba. Cuba Cuba could suffer four defeats in a row in the World League for the first time since seven in Cuba have won five and lost three of their World League matches played on 25 June. They won 3-1 against Netherlands on 25 June Luis Tomas Sosa Sierra has scored 61 points, including 14 blocks. Ricardo Norberto Calvo Manzano has scored 10 aces. Netherlands Netherlands have won three and lost two in the 2016 World League. Two of their three wins came against Slovakia. Last year they won five of their first six World League matches. The last time Netherlands played a World League match on 25 June they lost 3-1 against Cuba, 25 June Maarten Van Garderen has scored most points, 61. Wouter Ter Maat follows with 55. Jasper Diefenbach has scored 15 stuff blocks.

6 Pool D2: Czech Republic - Slovakia (25 June) This will be the first World League match between these teams. The countries have met each other three times at the European Championships, with Czech Republic winning on all three occasions. Czech Republic won 3-0 in 1997, 3-0 in 2001 and 3-1 in Czech Republic Czech Republic have won two World League matches in a row and both by a 3-2 score. They could claim three five-set wins in a row for the first time in the competition. The Czechs last won three successive World League matches in 2014, in a run of 3-0, 3-2, 3-2 victories. Michal Finger leads his team in scoring: 90 points, including 82 spikes. Donovan Dzavoronok has served 12 aces. Slovakia Slovakia have won two and lost three of their 2016 World League matches. Two of these three defeats came against Netherlands. A third win would equal their number of wins from the 2015 World League. Matej Patak (65 points) and his teammates Peter Mlynarcik (56) and Stefan Chrtiansky (54) lead Slovakia in scoring.

7 Pool E2: Egypt - Finland (24 June) This will be the fifth World League meeting between these teams, following their four matches in Both teams have won twice. Two of these matches were played in Cairo, with Finland winning the first match 3-0 on 7 July 2010 and Egypt winning the second match 3-0 on 8 July These teams have also met three times at the European Championship. Finland won all three meetings in 1955 and 1958 (twice). Egypt Egypt have won their last four World League matches on home soil (all in Cairo), since losing 3-0 against Finland in They can win back-to-back World League matches by a 3-0 scoreline for the second time, following their wins against Kazakhstan and Venezuela in Egypt have won 10 of their last 12 World League matches. Prior to this run of 12 matches, they won only five of their 47 matches in the competition. Ahmed Elkotb has 52 spikes, most of all players in Group 2 this World League season. Finland Finland can win three World League matches in a row for the first time since They have won four of their last five World League matches. Their only defeat in this span was against Japan on 17 June (3-0). Olli-Pekka Ojansivu has the most serve points (11) and most total points (68) of all players in Group 2 this World League season.

8 Pool E2: Turkey - Japan (24 June) This is the first World League meeting between these countries. This is also the first ever meeting between these countries in a major tournament. Turkey will play their first World League match against an AVC team. Japan have won two of their last three World League matches against European opposition, including their most recent one against Finland last week (3-0). Turkey Turkey have won 13 of their 17 World League matches (76%). Only Brazil (77%) have a better percentage considering only teams that have played at least 10 matches. They lost only one set in the opening weekend, beating Portugal 3-1 followed by 3-0 wins against Slovakia and Netherlands. This is the best among teams in Group 2, together with Canada. They can start a World League campaign with four consecutive wins for the first time. Japan Japan can win successive World League matches for the fourth time in the last eight years. They can win consecutive World League matches by a 3-0 scoreline for the fifth time, following 1990 (3 times), 1994 (2), (2) and 2015 (2). Their last six World League matches alternated between wins and losses (L-W-L-W-L-W).

9 Pool E2: Egypt - Japan (25 June) This will be the fifth World League match between these teams. Both teams won two of the previous four meetings. Egypt won the first two meetings and Japan the last two. All four meetings were in Both teams won their matches at home. In all major competitions Japan have won their last six meetings with Egypt, including the 3-2 victory at the 2015 World Cup. Egypt Egypt lost in straight sets to Finland, their second defeat at this year's World League. Despite of their loss, Egypt outspiked Finland 40 to 36 in that match. Ahmed Elkotb scored most points for Egypt (14) of which 13 spikes. Egypt have won 10 of their last 13 World League matches. Prior to this run of 13 matches, they won only five of their 47 matches in the competition. Ahmed Elkotb has scored most points for Egypt in all four matches at the 2016 World League. He has combined for a total of 77 points. Hossam Abdalla leads his team in serving with eight aces from 46 attempts (0.56 per set). Japan Japan failed to beat Turkey (3-2) and have now won two and lost two matches in the 2016 World League. They have now lost their last three five-setters in the World League. Their last seven World League matches had these results: L-W-L-W-L-W-L. Kunihiro Shimizu scored 26 points against Turkey, including three points from stuff blocks and three aces. Shimizu (77 points) has scored 34 points more than the next most prolific player from Japan in this year's World League - Yuta Yoneyama with 43 points.

10 Pool E2: Turkey - Finland (25 June) This will be the first match between these teams at the World League. Turkey beat Finland 3-0 at last year's European Games. Finland's last victory against Turkey came at the 2008 European Olympic Qualification Tournament (3-2) in Izmir (Turkey). Turkey Turkey are still unbeaten in the 2016 World League, winning all four matches. The only other team in Group 2 without defeat is Canada (before Canada - China). They have won nine of their 10 World League matches since the start of 2015, including the last seven. Turkey's only defeat in this run was a 3-1 loss against Montenegro. Gokhan Gokgoz (20 points), Baturalp Burak Gungor (18) and Metin Toy (15) all reached double figures in scoring in their last match against Japan (3-2 win). Baturlap Burak Gungor leads his teammates in scoring with 57 points. Finland After their defeat in their opening match of this year's World League, Finland have won three matches in a row. Finland can win four successive World League matches for the first time since a run of four in Finland have not won consecutive World League matches in straight sets since winning the first two of the 2006 edition without dropping a set. Markus Kaurto scored five points from stuff blocks in their last match against Egypt, more than the rest of Finland's team combined (4). Olli-Pekka Ojansivu leads his teammates in scoring with 78 points of which 56 from spikes, 10 from stuff blocks and 12 aces.

11 Pool E2: Egypt - Turkey (26 June) This will be the first World League match between these teams. These countries previously met at the 1958 European Championship, when Turkey won 3-1. Egypt Egypt beat Japan 3-2 on Saturday. They have now won 11 of their last 14 World League matches. Prior to this run, they won only five of their 47 matches in the competition. Egypt have now won their last three five-setters in the World League. Before that run, they lost four successive five-setters. Abd Elhalim Mohamed Abou and Ahmed Elkotb both scored 19 points against Japan, most of all players. Elkotb is four points shy from scoring 100 points in the 2016 World League (82 spikes, 9 blocks, 5 aces). Hossam Abdalla is currently among Group 2's best servers in the competition with 11 aces and an average per set of Turkey Turkey are still unbeaten in the 2016 World League, winning all five matches. The only other team in Group 2 without defeat is Canada (before Canada - Portugal). They have won 10 of their 11 World League matches since the start of 2015, including the last eight. Turkey's only defeat in this run was a 3-1 loss against Montenegro. Baturalp Burak Gungor scored 20 points in Turkey's last match against Finland (3-2), including four from stuff blocks and four aces. Gokhan Gokgoz and Metin Toy followed with 18 points each against Finland.

12 Pool E2: Finland - Japan (26 June) This will be the fourth World League match between these teams. Japan won all three previous matches, all in Japan, including last week's 3-0. These nations also met at the 1966 World Championship, when Japan proved too strong (3-0). Finland Finland lost 3-2 to Turkey on Saturday, ending their three-match winning streak. Olli-Pekka Ojansivu scored most points for Finland against Turkey (22). Tommi Siirilä scored six points from stuff blocks, as many as the rest of his team combined. Ojansivu is currently among the best scorers in Group 2 of the World League with 100 points. He scored 75 points from spikes, 12 from stuff blocks and 13 from serves. Siirilä is currently one of Group 2's best blockers with 15 points from stuff blocks, averaging 0.75 per set. Japan Japan failed to beat Egypt on Saturday (3-2), losing back-to-back matches in the competition after a 3-2 defeat to Turkey on Friday. They have now lost their last four five-setters in the World League. Japan have never lost three consecutive World League matches in five sets. Kunihiro Shimizu scored most points for Japan against Egypt (21). He is just two points shy from reaching 100 points in the 2016 World League as he has scored 87 points from spikes, four from stuff blocks and seven from serves (98). Shimizu is currently among the best spikers in Group 2 of the competition with a success rate of 56.49%.

13 Pool F2: Canada - Korea (24 June) This will be the seventh World League meeting between these teams. Both teams have won three of the previous six matches, with Canada winning the two most recent matches, both by a 3-0 scoreline. All three of Canada's victories over Korea were played in Canada. Korea have beaten Canada once in the World League on Canadian soil. These teams also met once in Canada in another competition, when Canada won 3-0 at the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal. Canada Canada can win four World League matches in a row for the first time since 2013 (seven consecutive wins). In the last 10 years Canada have won 16 of their 27 home matches in the World League. Blair Cameron Bann is rated as the best receiver in Group 2 with an efficiency of 67% and he is rated as the third-best digger in Group 2 behind Tyler Sanders (CAN) and Martin Krystof (CZE). Korea Korea have lost their last nine World League matches and can lose 10 in a row for the first time since a run of 13 losses from Their last victory was against Japan (3-0) in Only Venezuela (21%) have a lower winning percentage in the World League than Korea (23%) among teams which have played at least 10 World League matches.

14 Pool F2: China - Portugal (24 June) This will be the first World League meeting between China and Portugal. They have met once in a major tournament. In 2002 Portugal won 3-1 at the World Championship. China have lost their last three World League matches against CEV teams, since beating Greece in Portugal have won seven and lost nine World League matches against AVC teams. China China have lost their last five World League matches and can lose six in a row for the first time since Their last victory was against Greece on 21 June 2015 (3-2). Their last victory by a 3-0 scoreline in the competition was against Mexico on 14 June China will play their 200 th World League match. They have won 56 of their previous 199. Portugal Portugal have lost 15 of their last 16 World League matches, only beating Netherlands 3-2 on 20 June The last time they won 3-1 or 3-0 was against Korea on 5 July Only Venezuela (21%) and Korea (22.6%) have a lower winning percentage in the World League than Portugal (23.4%) among teams which have played at least 10 World League matches.

15 Pool F2: Canada - China (25 June) This will be the second World League match between these teams. Last week Canada won 3-0. These teams also met in a competitive match on 5 June 2016, when Canada beat China in five sets at the World Olympic Qualification Tournament. John Gordon Perrin scored 27 points in that match. Canada beat China 3-0 at the 2014 World Championship. China's last victory over Canada in a competitive match came at the 2004 World Olympic Qualification Tournament (3-0) on 30 May Canada Canada are still unbeaten at the 2016 World League, winning all four matches. The only other team in Group 2 without defeat is Turkey (before Turkey - Finland). Canada have lost only one set in those four matches, in their 3-1 win against Czech Republic. Canada can win five successive World League matches for the first time since a run of seven in Canada outblocked their last opponent, Korea, 15 to two. Six players of Canada's team scored multiple points from stuff blocks in that match. Steven Marshall has scored 42 points from spikes from 71 attempts so far in the competition (59.15%). China China ended a five-match losing streak in the World League with a 3-1 win against Portugal. Before that losing streak, China won seven matches in a row in the competition. Qingyao Dai reached 21 points in that win against Portugal, at least nine more than any of his teammates. China currently have one of the best setters in Group 2. Jiahua Tong has an efficiency of 65.43%. Runming Li is currently among Group 2's best setters with an average per set of

16 Pool F2: Korea - Portugal (25 June) This will the seventh match between these teams at the World League. Both countries won three of the previous six matches. These teams also met at the 1956 World Championship, when Portugal won 3-0. Korea Korea are on a 10-match losing streak in the World League, since a 3-0 win over Japan on 14 June They can lose 11 in a row in the competition for the first time since a run of 13 defeats from Hak-Min Kim was Korea's topscorer in the first three matches of this year's World League. Jiseok Jung scored most points for his team in Korea's last match. Sun-Soo Han is currently among Group 2's best setters in the competition with an average per set of Portugal Portugal have lost 16 of their last 17 matches in the competition. Their only victory in this streak was a 3-2 win against Netherlands on 20 June Their last 3-1 or 3-0 win in the World League came against Korea on 5 July 2014 (3-0). Marco Ferreira (12) scored most points for Portugal in their last match against China (3-1 defeat). Alexandre Ferreira (59) has scored most points for Portugal so far in this year's competition.

17 Pool F2: Canada - Portugal (26 June) This will be the third World League match between these teams. Both previous matches were also played in Canada (Mississauga), in Canada won on 7 June (3-0), while Portugal defeated the home team 3-1 a day later. These nations also met at the 1996 World Olympic Qualification Tournament, when Portugal won 3-1. Canada Canada are still unbeaten at the 2016 World League, winning all five matches. The only other team in Group 2 without defeat is Turkey (before Egypt - Turkey). Canada have lost only one set in those five matches, in their 3-1 win against Czech Republic. Canada have never won three consecutive World League matches in straight sets. Canada can win six successive World League matches for the first time since a run of seven in Steven Marshall is currently among Group 2's best spikers with a success rate of 59.15%. Marshall (68.13%) and Blair Cameron Bann (72.22%) are among the best receivers in Group 2, while Tyler Sanders is one of the best setters (13.63 per set) and diggers (2.19 per set) in this group. Portugal Portugal recorded their first win at the 2016 World League as they beat Korea 3-0. It was their first win since a 3-2 win over Netherlands in 2015 and their first 3-1 or 3-0 win since a 3-0 victory against Korea in Portugal can win successive World League matches for the first time since a run of three in 2014 (Netherlands, Korea (2)). Marco Ferreira (17) and Alexandre Ferreira (16) scored most points for Portugal against Korea.

18 Pool F2: Korea - China (26 June) This will be the ninth match between these teams at the World League, and the first since China won five and Korea three of the previous eight meetings. These teams last met at the 2014 Asian Games, when Korea won 3-1 in the bronze medal match. Korea Korea are on a 11-match losing streak in the World League, since a 3-0 win over Japan on 14 June They can lose 12 in a row in the competition for the first time since a run of 13 defeats from Sun-Soo Han is currently one of Group 2's best setters in the competition with an average per set of Jiseok Jung is among the best receivers in Group 2 with a success rate of 66.45%. China China failed to follow-up on their win against Portugal on Friday as they were defeated by unbeaten team Canada on Saturday (3-0). China have now lost six of their last seven World League matches. Before this run of seven, China won seven successive World League matches. China failed to produce a single point from serve in their match against Canada. Qingyao Dai (12) scored most points with 11 from spikes and one from stuff blocks. Runming Li is currently among Group 2's best setters with an average per set of