Italy hope to extend winning streak against Japan

Lausanne, Switzerland, September 13, 2017 – After upsetting title-holders Brazil on the second competition day of the 2017 FIVB Men's World Grand Champions Cup in Japan, Italy hope to build upon their success with another win, this time against hosts Japan. The two teams will close Friday’s competition in Osaka. This match will be their fourth encounter in the history of the Grand Champions Cup.

• Italy have won all their previous three World Grand Champions Cup matches against Japan. In 1993, Italy came from behind to beat Japan 3-1 (8-15, 15-9, 15-12, 15-13) and in 2005 and 2013, they recorded straight-set victories.

• Italy's 3-1 win in 1993 was Japan's first-ever defeat in the history of the World Grand Champions Cup.

• Italy have won their last seven competitive matches against Japan. Their last four victories all came in straight sets.

• Japan's last victory over Italy in a major tournament came in the 2007 World League, when they won in five sets.

• Italy have had to negotiate 10 sets so far at this Grand Champions Cup.

• On Tuesday, they fell to Iran in five sets. One day later, they defeated Brazil by 3-2.

• Against Brazil, Luca Vettori led his team in scoring on 27 points (21 spikes, 4 blocks, 2 aces).

• Filippo Lanza has managed 44 points in total so far at this Grand Champions Cup.

• Italy won the inaugural Grand Champions Cup in 1993 and is seeking its second trophy in the competition.

• Japan are the only team at the 2017 Grand Champions Cup that is still in search of their first victory.

• Not only that, Japan will be seeking to win their first set in this tournament, losing in straight sets against USA on Tuesday and against France on Wednesday.

• Japan have now lost each of their last nine matches at the Grand Champions Cup and have won only one set in the process. This is their longest losing run in the competition.

• Japan's last victory at the Grand Champions Cup came in 2009, against Iran.

• Satoshi Ide has an average of 2.3 digs per set (14 digs, 6 receptions), highest of all players.