Lausanne, Switzerland, September 9, 2017 – China have already secured the title and the gold medals at the 2017 FIVB Women's World Grand Champions Cup in Japan, but also have the honour to play against the host team in the last match of the tournament on Sunday. Furthermore, a victory in this all-time Asian classic might give Japan a podium spot and the bronze. This will be their fifth encounter in the history of the World Grand Champions Cup.
Head-to-Head
• China and Japan have met four times at the World Grand Champions Cup. China won all four, including a straight-set win in 2001.
• All other three encounters at the World Grand Champions Cup ended in a 3-1 victory for China.
• These teams most recently met at the 2017 World Grand Prix. China won 3-1 in Group 1.
China
• China have won the World Grand Champions Cup for the second time after 2001, when they won all five matches.
• China joined Brazil (2012 Olympic champions and 2013 World Grand Champions Cup winners) as the only reigning Olympic champions to win the World Grand Champions Cup.
• China now hold three global volleyball trophies at the same time: 2017 World Grand Champions Cup, 2016 Olympic Games, 2015 World Cup.
• They can claim three straight-set wins in a row for the first time at the World Grand Champions Cup.
• Zhu Ting leads China on 74 points.
Japan
• Japan have alternated wins and losses this tournament, winning the first and the third matches and losing the second and the fourth.
• They can win their third match at the 2017 World Grand Champions Cup, equalling their best years 2001 and 2013.
• In both 2001 and 2013, Japan finished third, their only top-three finishes in the competition.
• Japan could play three five-set matches in a row for the first time at the World Grand Champions Cup.