Experienced Olympians Korea and Italy open Rio qualifications in Japan

Tokyo, Japan, May 13, 2016 - Korea and Italy will face each other in the opening day of the FIVB Volleyball Women's World Olympic Qualification Tournament in Japan.

• The last time Korea and Italy met at a World Olympic Qualification tournament was in 2004. Korea beat Italy in five sets. Both teams qualified for the Olympic Games in Athens, Korea as the Asian continental qualifier and Italy as one of the three best teams.

• Korea's win in 2004 was one of two victories against Italy at world level tournaments in the past 15 years. Their only other win came in the quarterfinal of the London 2012 Olympic Games (3-1).

• Italy's last win over Korea came at the 2011 World Cup when they won in three sets.

• Korea have been present at 10 of the previous 13 Olympic Games. They were not present at the 1980, 1992 and 2008 Olympic Games.

• Korea won their only Olympic medal at the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal when they finished in third place. In London, four years ago, they lost the bronze medal match 3-0 to Japan.

• Korea qualified for the Olympic Games in three of the last four World Olympic Qualification tournaments, finishing in second place in each of those. 

• Korea have won their last four World Olympic Qualification matches, losing only one set in this run.

• Korea have lost their last four World Olympic Qualification matches against teams representing the CEV, since their 3-2 win against Italy.

• Italy are hoping to go to their fifth consecutive Olympic Games.

• Italy were present at the Olympic Games of 2000 and 2004 after qualifying at the World Olympic Qualification tournament. They won the qualification tournament in 2000 and finished fourth in 2004.

• Italy qualified for the 2008 and 2012 Olympic Games as reigning World Cup winners.

• The 3-2 defeat against Korea at the World Olympic Qualification tournament of 2004 is Italy's only loss in their last six matches in this competition.

• Italy have won at least one set in each of their matches at the 2000 and 2004 World Olympic Qualification tournaments.