Tokyo, Japan, June 4, 2016 - The match between France and hosts Japan is the one that should leave everybody with a good taste in their mouth from the FIVB Volleyball Men's World Olympic Qualification Tournament, which will come to an end after these two teams have settled any issues between them. France are the table leaders before the last competition day and would like to finish that way, while the Japanese would like to finish on a high note in front of the home crowd despite failing to qualify for Rio.
Head-to-head
• France won the most recent encounter with Japan at the World Olympic Qualification tournament by 3-2 in Tokyo in 2004.
• In 2015, these teams met four times in the World League with France winning all. They won three times in straight sets and once in a five-setter.
• These teams met twice at the Olympic Games, both in the group stage. In Seoul 1988, France won 3-1 and in Barcelona 1992, France won 3-2.
France
• France have qualified for their fourth Olympic Games, after 1988, 1992 and 2004.
• France could win five consecutive matches at the World Olympic Qualification tournament for the first time since a run of eight in 2004-2012.
• France have scored most points this tournament (573).
• Antonin Rouzier (113 points) is the most scoring player in this tournament. He also has the best success rate in spikes (59.77%).
Japan
• Japan failed to beat Canada in their last match at this tournament (3-1). With just one win, they cannot qualify for the Olympic Games.
• Japan have now failed to win any of their last five matches at the World Olympic Qualification tournament.
• They have only won their opening match against Venezuela (3-1). The last time they won only one match at a World Olympic Qualification tournament was 1996.
• Only France's Kevin Le Roux and Canada's Gavin Schmitt (both 10) have produced more aces in the competition than Kunihiro Shimizu (8).