Head-to-head
• Belgium have won all their World League matches against Portugal, both this season, 3-0 and 3-2.
• In the 3-2 win for Belgium on 14 June, the last four sets were all won by the smallest possible margin of two points.
• Portugal had won the other two matches against Belgium at major tournaments, but these wins date back to the 1956 World Championships and the 1948 European Championships.
Portugal
• Portugal can no longer qualify for the Final Four.
• Portugal defeated Netherlands in their last World League match. This ended a nine losing streak for Portugal and also meant their first victory in this year's World League.
• It took Portugal five sets to beat Netherlands. Portugal had lost their previous three World League five-setters.
Belgium
• Belgium have won eight of their last nine World League matches, including their last three.
• Belgium have a win rate of 68.18% in the World League coming into this week of play. Among teams that have played at least 20 matches in the competition, only traditional powerhouses Brazil (77.24%), Italy (69.70%) and Russia (68.32%) have a better rate.
• Belgium need one more victory to equal their success from their debut season with eight victories.
• They are also one straight sets victory shy of equal their total of three from last year.