Finland
Surprise package Korea won both matches at home against Japan, while both the Netherlands and Portugal scored one for the away teams against hosts Canada and Finland, respectively.
After Korea’s two wins against Japan – the third time they did so against their rivals after 1991 and 1995 – now nine of the 10 encounters between the two teams in World League matches have been won by the home team.
In total, Korea and Japan have played 10 times in the World League, all in 1991 and 1995 prior to this year. Korea has a 7-3 advantage in head-to-head play. Nine of the 10 matches between the teams in the main tournament have been won by the home team, which was Korea in the first meetings of 2013. In 2011 seven of the eight encounters, including all four in 2011, were won by the home team.
During the first match of the 2013 FIVB World League on Friday, Finland started strong as the away team when Finland beat Portugal 3-0 (25-13, 29-27, 25-18), claiming their seventh away win in the FIVB World League, but fell short in their second match.
The only other away victory in matches between Finland and Portugal was Finland’s 3-2 win on 23, July 2006.
At Canada on Saturday, visiting team the Netherlands claimed their first victory in the FIVB World League in 1,058 days, since beating Korea on July 9, 2010. Their surprise Pool C victory ended 3-1 (25-22, 25-17, 20-25, 25-23).
The first weekend of the 2013 FIVB World League also has Canada winning four of its last five World League matches against the Netherlands dating back to 1999.
To read more news from this competition click on World League 2013 M.
