Team USA, meanwhile, visits Florence and Catania this weekend for matches against the Azzurri. Both teams suffered heavy losses last weekend and are eager to make up for it in this round. Despite the humbling loss to China, Italian coach Andrea Anastasi says he will not alter his lineup against the Americans.

In Pool B, South Korea host Serbia in Jeonju. Both teams have 1-1 records following splits with fellow Pool B opponents France and Argentina, who square off in Lyon and Nice. Korean fans were apprehensive about the wholesale changes to their side ahead of the competition, but the young team proved its worth last weekend against Argentina, and with Serbia possibly using this weekend to rest some their star players, the home supporters are hoping their team will top the table at the end of the weekend.

After flying to Korea last weekend, Argentina will have to stave off further jet lag this weekend when they face France in Europe. France will be without the services of Emmanuel Ragondet, who hurt his ankle in Round 1 and will miss both matches this weekend. The French got off to a brilliant start at the 20th edition of the World League with a straight-sets victory over Serbia on opening day, but lost the rematch 3-1. They will be looking for more consistency against what must be an exhausted Argentine team.

In Pool C, Russia and Cuba go head to head in Havana in a battle of unbeaten teams at the tournament. Russia clobbered Japan on opening weekend, while Cuba unexpectedly took both games from Bulgaria. Both Russia and Cuba are in confident moods heading in to their matches on Friday and Saturday, but the Cubans hope two things in particular will give them the edge over their opponents: their vocal home fans and the return of local idol Michel Sanchez after a serious injury kept him away from the sport for almost two years.

The two losing teams from opening weekend, Japan and Bulgaria, will be looking to get their World League campaigns back on track in matches in the Black Sea city of Varna. The hosts appear to have the upper hand this weekend, having home-court advantage and history on their side: the last time the team lost to Japan was in October 2002. Bulgarian captain Andrey Zhekov said his team will be looking for a sweep this weekend. "We played well, especially in the first match in Cuba, although the results did not show it," he said. "We are now particularly motivated to win twice against Japan, which is a must if we want to qualify for the Final Round."

In Pool D, Brazil is looking to remain unbeaten at the tournament when it takes on Finland in matches on Friday and Saturday in Brasilia. Brazil pounded Poland 3-0 and 3-1 on opening weekend, while Finland bounced back impressively from a straight-sets loss to Venezuela to beat the South Americans 3-1 in the rematch. While Brazil may welcome its captain, Giba, and middle-blocker Rodrigao back into the fold this weekend, Finland will be without main players Mikko Esko (setter), Tuomas Sammelvuo (wing spiker) and Olli Kunnari (wing spiker).

"We can go to Brazil without pressure after winning in Venezuela on Sunday," said Finland captain Jukka Lehtonen. "The feeling on this young team is high at the moment and we are all waiting eagerly to meet Brazil."

Poland, meanwhile, traveled from Brazil to Venezuela for its next set of matches against a South American side. Poland will hope things go better for them this weekend, following two forgettable losses to Brazil on opening weekend. Poland enjoys a 6-2 advantage against Venezuela historically at the tournament, but Venezuela has been working on its fitness since Monday and promises to be in peak condition by game time on Friday.

"We are in the process of obtaining better physical endurance, and when we achieve it, I am sure that the victories will come and we will be very satisfied in this league," said Venezuela captain Andy Rojas.