Kobe, Japan, May 12, 2017 - Tournament host Hisamitsu Springs Kobe will have the tough challenge to play against Brazil’s Osasco Voleibol Clube in one of the two classification 5-8 semifinals at the FIVB Volleyball Women's Club World Championship on Saturday.
Osasco lost their last match in Pool B on Friday, 0-3 (25-27, 22-25, 18-25) against Switzerland’s Volero Zurich to finish third in the standings and miss out on the medal matches in Kobe.
Hisamitsu also suffered a 0-3 (17-25, 21-25, 22-25) loss in their last Pool A game, against European club champions VakifBank Istanbul from Turkey, to end up bottom fourth of the final pool standings.
Osasco and Hisamitsu have met once previously at the Club World Championships level. At the 2014 edition in Zurich, the Brazilian side opened their campaign towards the eventual silver medal with a 3-1 victory over their Japanese opponents.
Osasco Voleibol Clube (BRA)
- This is the first time Osasco Voleibol Clube appear at a Club World Championship without earning a medal.
- Osasco are the most decorated club in the history of the Club World Championships. They have taken part in five editions and medalled on all five occasions – one gold (2012), two silver (2010, 2014) and two bronze (1994, 2011) medals.
- Since they returned to the competition in 2010, Osasco have played a total of 19 matches at the Club World Championships for an 11-8 win-loss record.
Hisamitsu Springs Kobe (JPN)
- This is the fourth consecutive Club World Championship participation for Hisamitsu Springs. The Japanese club is hosting the competition for the first time.
- Hisamitsu Springs have played continuously at the Club World Championships since 2014. In their first three participations, they finished fifth in 2014 and 2015, and sixth in 2016. They have already lost all chances of finishing higher than fifth in the final standings in 2017.
- Hisamitsu Springs have played a total of 12 matches at the Club World Championships and have a 2-10 win-loss record.