Lausanne, Switzerland, August 3, 2017 - China host The Netherlands Friday in Nanjing, having already secured their qualification to the semifinals of the 2017 FIVB World Grand Prix. It's a different story for the Dutch, who need any win to advance - otherwise, any China win will see defending champions Brazil go through. This is a rematch of the Rio 2016 Olympics semifinal in which China prevailed in four sets on their way to win the title.
Head-to-Head• These teams have met each other 18 times before at the World Grand Prix. China have won 14 times, while Netherlands have four wins, including the most recent encounter in last year's Final Round (3-2).
• These teams also met at last year's Olympic Games. Netherlands won the group stage (3-2), while China won in the semifinals (3-1).
• China have won at least two sets in each of their last 15 meetings with Netherlands in major competitions.
China• China have already qualified for the semifinals. Two years ago they finished fourth in the competition, last year fifth.
• China defeated Brazil 3-0 on Wednesday. It was their first straight sets win this World Grand Prix season.
• The last time they won successive World Grand Prix matches without losing a set was in 2016, when they defeated Brazil, Netherlands and Germany on 19, 24 and 25 June.
• Zhu Ting scored 16 points against Brazil, including 15 from spikes.
Netherlands• Netherland lost 3-2 against Brazil on Thursday and need a victory to qualify for the semifinals.
• If they do, they are the only team to play in the semifinals in 2016 and 2017.
• Netherlands have won six World Grand Prix matches this year, one short of their number of victories from last year.
• Netherlands have won at least one set in each of their last 11 World Grand Prix matches and won at least two set in nine of their last 11.
• Celeste Plak had 28 points against Brazil (24 from spikes) most of all players in that match (including Brazilian players).