Lausanne, Switzerland, September 16, 2017 – While both Italy and USA still have a shot at the gold medal of the 2017 FIVB Men's World Grand Champions Cup in Japan, the winner of their match on the ultimate competition day on Sunday is at least guaranteed a podium spot. The game in Osaka will be the fourth encounter between these two teams in the history of the Grand Champions Cup.
Head-to-Head
• USA have won two of their previous three World Grand Champions Cup matches against Italy. In 2013, they won in five sets. In 2005, they recorded a straight-set victory.
• Italy's sole win over USA in the competition came in 1993, when they won 3-0 dropping just 20 points (15-5, 15-7, 15-8).
• In these nations' most recent meeting at world level, on June 9, USA beat Italy 3-0 in the 2017 World League.
• Italy's last competitive win over USA came at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, when they won 3-2 in the semifinals.
Italy
• After they lost their first Grand Champions Cup match against Iran, Italy have now won each of their last three matches in the tournament.
• They are one of three teams to have won three of their four matches at this Grand Champions Cup, alongside Brazil and Iran.
• Only once, Italy had a longer winning run in this tournament as they won each of their first seven Grand Champions Cup matches (1993 - 2005). That run was ended by a 0-3 loss to USA in 2005.
• Their five victories in 1993 led to their only trophy in this tournament. They finished in third place at their other two participations in the tournament (2005, 2013).
• Luca Vettori was top scorer during each of Italy's three victories - he scored only eight points in their defeat against Iran.
USA
• USA have won twice and lost twice in this Grand Champions Cup. Both victories came in straight sets while both defeats came in five sets.
• Only Brazil and Italy (at 11 each) have won more sets so far in this tournament than USA (10).
• They have lost at least three of their five matches in two of their previous three participations, with the exception of 2005 when USA lost only one and finished as runners-up.
• USA could lose consecutive Grand Champions Cup matches for the first time since their final two matches of 2013.
• Matthew Anderson is USA's top scorer with 74 points. Only Italy's Luca Vettori (81) has netted more points.