Facts & Figures

Pool A

· The Netherlands could qualify for the Olympic Games for the fourth time, after 1992, 1996 and 2016. Their best result was a fourth place at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
· The Netherlands qualified for these Games by finishing runners-up in the European Championship (1992) or in a World Olympic Qualification tournament (1996, 2016).
· Since the turn of the century, the Netherlands competed in all five European Olympic Qualification tournaments. Their best result was a runners-up finish in 2016, when they lost the final 3-1 to Russia.
· The Netherlands played both Bulgaria (3-1 win) and Poland (3-1 defeat) in the 2019 FIVB Volleyball Nations League. They defeated Azerbaijan 3-0 in the 2019 European Championship.
· The Netherlands failed to qualify for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in the 2019 Intercontinental Olympic Qualification tournament. They lost the deciding match against Italy (3-0).
· Bulgaria appeared once in the Olympic Games, in 1980. They won the bronze medal that year.
· Bulgaria received a wildcard for the Moscow 1980 Olympic Games, after United States, Japan and China boycotted these Games.
· Bulgaria finished fifth in their two most recent participations in a European Olympic Qualification tournament, in 2004 and 2012. One of their two wins in those tournaments came against Netherlands (3-0 in 2004).
· In the 2019 Intercontinental Olympic Qualification tournament, Bulgaria finished second in their group behind United States.
· Bulgaria beat Azerbaijan in straight sets in the 2019 European Championship 8th Finals.
· Poland could participate in the Olympic Games for the fourth time, after 1964, 1968 and 2008. They won the bronze medal in their first two appearances.
· Poland finished in joint-ninth place at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. They earned an Olympic ticket for that tournament in a World Olympic Qualification tournament.
· Poland appeared in the last four European Olympic Qualification tournaments. They lost the final in 2008 (vs Russia) and 2012 (vs Turkey).
· Poland finished second in their group in the 2019 Intercontinental Olympic Qualification tournament, behind Serbia.
· Poland defeated Netherlands in the 2008 (3-1) and 2012 (3-1) European Olympic Qualification tournaments.
· Poland won 3-1 against Bulgaria in the 2019 FIVB Volleyball Nations League.
· Azerbaijan hopes to compete in their first Olympic Games.
· Azerbaijan finished third in their group in the 2019 Intercontinental Olympic Qualification tournament, behind Brazil (1st) and Dominican Republic (2nd).
· The last time Azerbaijan participated in a European Olympic Qualification tournament was in 2004. They finished in joint-seventh place that year.
· Azerbaijan defeated Poland 3-0 in the 2004 European Olympic Qualification tournament.

Pool B

· Turkey made their only participation in the Olympic Games in 2012. They finished joint-ninth in London.
· Turkey qualified for the 2012 London Olympic Games after winning the European Olympic Qualification tournament they hosted in Ankara.
· Turkey lost their last three matches in European Olympic Qualification tournaments, including a 3-1 versus Russia in the 2016 semi-finals and a 3-2 against Italy in the 2016 third-place decider.
· Turkey reached the final in the 2004 European Olympic Qualification tournament, but lost that match 3-0 versus Germany.
· In the 2019 Intercontinental Olympic Qualification tournament, Turkey finished second behind China in their group in Ningbo. They defeated Germany 3-1 in that tournament.
· Turkey won their last two matches against Germany in European Olympic Qualification tournaments, 3-1 in both 2012 and 2016.
· Turkey also won their last two matches versus Croatia in European Olympic Qualification tournaments, straight-set wins in 2012 and 2016.

· Germany (NOC) could compete in their fourth Olympic Games, after 1996, 2000 and 2004. East Germany and West Germany participated in five Games combined.
· Germany's three Olympic participations all came after qualifying through a European Olympic Qualification tournament.
· Germany also participated in the European Olympic Qualification tournaments from 2008 to 2016. They finished joint-third in 2008 and 2012.
· Germany finished third in their group in the 2019 Intercontinental Olympic Qualification tournament, behind China (1st) and Turkey (2nd). They lost 3-1 versus Turkey in that tournament.
· Germany defeated Turkey in the 2004 (3-0) and 2008 (3-0) European Olympic Qualification tournament.
· Germany claimed a 3-1 win against Belgium in the 2019 FIVB Volleyball Nations League.

· Belgium could make their debut in the Olympic Games.
· Belgium failed to qualify for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in the 2019 Intercontinental Olympic Qualification tournament held in Catania, Italy. They finished third in their group behind Italy (1st) and the Netherlands (2nd).
· Belgium finished sixth in the 2016 European Olympic Qualification tournament.
· Belgium defeated Turkey 3-1 in the 2019 FIVB Volleyball Nations League.

· Croatia's only previous appearance in the Olympic Games came in 2000. They finished in seventh place in Sydney.
· Croatia qualified for the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games in a World Olympic Qualification tournament.
· Croatia competed in four of the last five European Olympic Qualification tournaments. Their best result was a third place in 2000.
· Croatia defeated Germany 3-2 in the 2014 World Championship, their only world level victory against them.