Head-to-Head• China recorded three straight set wins at the World Championships against teams from Germany: West Germany in 1966 and East Germany in 1978 and 1982. They are yet to play a World Championship match against unified Germany.
• These teams have never met at another major tournament.
• China are on a nine-match losing streak at the World Championship against European sides.
Germany• After losing their 2014 opener against Brazil, Germany won their following four matches.
• They can win five in a row for the first time as unified Germany. The last time a team from Germany won more than four consecutive matches was in 1970 when East Germany won nine in a row.
• Germany can play their first five-setter in 13 matches against China.
• Germany have the third best blocker of the first round with Marcus Böhme (15 stuff blocks).
China• China have lost their last three World Championship matches in straight sets and can lose four consecutive matches by a 3-0 scoreline for the first time since 1986 (5 in a row including 1994).
• The last time China won a World Championship match in straight sets was in 1998 against Czech Republic. They have played 27 matches in the competition since.
• Zhi Yuan was the second best server of the first round with 14 aces and an average of 0.82 per set.