Lausanne, Switzerland, July 19, 2017 - Australia host Venezuela saturday in the second of the two Group 3 semifinals as the two sides come head-to-head for the very first time in an official competition. Australia scored a historic win on the opening weekend over Trinidad & Tobago - the Aussies' first ever (and so far only) in four years of competing in the FIVB World Grand Prix. Venezuela, on the other hand, are 4-2 this season, having lost only to the two undefeated sides of Group 3 - France in five sets and Hungary in three. Venezuela, who dropped their latest match to Hungary, have yet to lose back-to-back in the competition.
Head-to-Head• This is the first meeting at a major tournament between Venezuela and Australia.
• The last time Venezuela faced teams from the AVC was at the 2008 Olympic Games, where they lost against China and Japan, both by 3-0.
• Australia have already played three World Grand Prix matches against South American sides, losing all three against Colombia, all in straight sets.
Australia• Australia have won one of their 26 World Grand Prix matches (4% winning percentage). Only Chinese Taipei have a worse record, having won one of 36 World Grand Prix matches (3%).
• Their only victory was against Trinidad & Tobago on 9 July 2017 (in Mexico).
• Australia have won at least one set in each of their last seven World Grand Prix matches. This is their longest ever streak in the competition.
• Rachel Rourke is the best scorer in Group 3 this season, having scored 120 points, 31 more points than any other player in group 3.
Venezuela• Venezuela have lost their most recent match 3-0 against Hungary. That was the first time Venezuela did not win a set in a World Grand Prix match.
• They have won four and lost two World Grand Prix matches. They have yet to lose successive matches in the competition.
• Marie Jose Perez Gonzalez is the best scorer for Venezuela with 75 points.