Head-to-head• These teams have met six times at the World Championship. Italy defeated Belgium in straights sets in 1949, 1956, 1962 and 1978. Belgium beat Italy 3-1 in both 1966 and 1970.
• More recently, Italy and Belgium met at the 2013 European Championship in the group stage. Belgium won that match in five sets.
Italy
• Italy came back from a 2-0 deficit to beat France in their second match. This was the 38th time Italy were 2-0 down at the World Championship, but the first time they eventually won the match.
• With this victory, Italy ended a three-match losing streak at the World Championship.
• Ivan Zaytsev led the way for Italy with 25 points scored in their match against France, almost 25% of the team total: 105 points.
Belgium• Belgium bounced back after their opening defeat against United States with a straight set win over Puerto Rico.
• Bram Van Den Bries led the attack of Belgium with a total of 19 points in their match against Puerto Rico.
• Belgium can win two consecutive World Championship matches for the first time since 1978.
• Sam Deroo plays for Italian team Casa Modena.