Sydney, Australia, June 18, 2016 – European neighbours France and Belgium will clash on the other side of the world in their Pool A1 FIVB Volleyball World League 2016 match.
Head-to-Head
· Belgium and France have played eight official matches against each other. France won six times versus two victories for Belgium.
· Their only meeting at the World League came in the Group 2 semifinals in 2014, which France won in straight sets.
· Their most recent encounter came at the 2014 World Championship. They had to play five sets but ultimately the French team proved too strong in the first round.
· Belgium's only victories over France came at the European Championships: 3-1 in 1967 and 3-1 in 2011.
Belgium
· Belgium have won and lost a match in this year's World League in straight sets. Belgium has never been involved in three matches in a row that finished in straight sets.
· After six consecutive wins they have now lost four of their last five matches in the World League in 2015-2016.
· Simon Van De Voorde has scored seven points with blocks.
· Sam Deroo (27) and Gert Van Walle (25) are Belgium's top scorers.
France
· France can claim their 20th win in their 21st match since the start of the 2015 World League.
· Twelve of their previous 19 wins came in straight sets, including their last two matches.
· Thibaud Rossard is France's top scorer with 28 points.
· Benjamin Toniutti has an average of 8.8 setups per set. His teammate Pierre Pujol has an average of 8.2.