Head-to-head
· Russia (including Soviet Union) have won three of the four matches against Italy at the World Cup, including the last two in 1999 and 2011.
· Italy won the encounter at the 1989 World Cup 3-0 after having lost the first tie in 1981 (3-0).
· Russia have won 10 of their last 12 matches against Italy in all major competition, including the final of the 2013 European Championship.
· Italy have won the last encounter with Russia, a 3-1 win at the 2013 Grand Champions Cup.
Italy
· Italy have won their last four World Cup matches in straight sets. They can win at least five in straight sets for the first time since the 2003 World Cup.
· Italy have won at least one set in 36 of their last 37 World Cup matches, only suffering a straight set defeat against United States on 12 September in this World Cup edition.
· Italy have won 14 of their last 17 World Cup matches in Tokyo.
· Filippo Lanza scored 14 of his 15 points against Venezuela from spikes on Friday.
Russia
· Russia claimed another straight set victory against Egypt and they can win five consecutive straight set matches for the first time since 2007.
· They have won 14 of their last 15 World Cup matches (lost to Poland this year).
· Russia have won eight of their nine competitive matches after having lost the first 11 this year.
· They have won their last four World Cup matches in Tokyo, after losing three in a row between 1999 and 2007.