Rome, Italy, June 22, 2016 - Italy and Australia will have their second encounter in
Group 1 of FIVB Volleyball World League 2016 as they face each other in Rome on Friday. The Italians shut out the Volleyroos on June 19 in Sydney.
Head-to-Head
• Australia have won only one of their 10 World League matches against Italy, the 3-0 on 12 June 2015.
• Seven of Italy's nine World League victories against Australia came in straight sets.
• This will be their second meeting this World League season. On 19 June, Italy beat Australia 3-0.
• Italy's Luca Vettori scored a match-high 16 points in that meeting, while Jordan Richards became Australia's top scorer with 15 points.
Australia
• Australia have lost their opening three matches of the 2016 World Leauge, all in straight sets.
• Last World League season Australia lost their opening four matches, before beating forthcoming opponents Italy 3-0 in their fifth match.
• Australia can lose four consecutive World League matches all by a 3-0 scoreline for the second time after a run of six straight-set defeats in 1999. That run included four 3-0 losses against Italy.
• Australia have won only one of their last 10 World League matches, the 3-2 win over Serbia on 5 July 2015.
• Seven of Australia's last nine World League defeats came in straight sets.
Italy
• Italy have won their last two World League matches, both in straight sets. They can win three consecutive World League matches all by a 3-0 scoreline for the first time since June 2011.
• All three of Italy's 2016 World league matches ended in straight sets: a loss to France and wins over Belgium and Australia.
• Only Brazil (161) have recorded more straight-set wins in World League history than Italy (130).
• Enrico Cester scored a match-high five block points against Australia.