Tokyo, Japan, May 25, 2016 - The competition hall will surely be a boiling pot on Saturday night when the hosts of the FIVB Volleyball Men's World Olympic Qualification Tournament in Tokyo play their first match of the competition - against Venezuela.
Head-to-head
• Japan and Venezuela most recently met at the World Olympic Qualification in Tokyo in 2012 with Japan winning in straight sets.
• Their last meeting at a world-level tournament was at the World Cup in 2015 when Japan won in straight sets.
• These teams have met once at the Olympic Games. In 2008 Venezuela won 3-0. This is still Venezuela's only win at the Olympic Games so far.
Japan
• Japan won three medals at the Olympic Games - gold in 1972, silver in 1968 and bronze in 1964.
• Japan are one of three NOCs with a medal sweep in men's volleyball, alongside Soviet Union (G3-S2-B1) and Russia (G1-S1-B2)
• Japan have participated eight times at the Olympic Games, only Brazil (13), United States (10) and Italy (10) have been present at more.
• Japan have been present at the World Olympic Qualification tournament ever since 1996. Only in 2008 they qualified for the Olympic Games as the best Asian side.
• Japan lost their World Olympic Qualification match of 2012 in straight sets against Iran. They have not lost back-to-back matches in this tournament since 2004 when they lost five in a row.
Venezuela
• Venezuela participated once in the Olympic volleyball tournament. In 2008 they finished in ninth place.
• Four years ago, Venezuela finished seventh at the World Olympic Qualification tournament only leaving Puerto Rico behind.
• Venezuela have lost their last four matches at the World Olympic Qualification winning only one set (3-1 loss against China). Their last win came against Puerto Rico in 2012 (3-0).