Pool E: Finland - Portugal (5 and 6 June)
Head-to-Head• Portugal and Finland will meet for the 11th and 12th time in the competition. Finland won six of the previous ten meetings.
• Finland have won at least one set in each of their World League meetings with Portugal.
• These teams last met in the World League of 2013. Finland beat Portugal in straight sets and Portugal beat Finland in five sets.
Finland• Finland have lost their last four matches, all against Belgium. Their last longer losing streak came in 2013 (5).
• If they lose both matches against Portugal they will suffer their longest losing streak since 2007-2008 when they lost nine in a row.
• Finland claimed at least one set in 14 of their last 15 matches.
• Lauri Kerminen is the best digger in the Intercontinental Group 2. He has an average of 2.83 per set and a total of 51 digs.
Portugal• Portugal have lost their last three World League matches and can lose four in a row for the first time since 2011-2013 when they lost 20 consecutive matches.
• Portugal lost their opening two matches and can lose their first four matches of the tournament for the first time since 2012, when they lost all matches.
• Portugal have won at least one set in their last seven matches, already a team record.
• Portugal are one shy of their 100th defeat in the World League. • Jose Vieira will celebrate his 32nd birthday on the day of the second meet (6 June).