Kaliningrad, Russia, June 15, 2016 - A powerful head-to-head clash between Bulgaria and Poland will kick-start the FIVB Volleyball World League 2016 Group 1 tournament in Russia on Friday.
Head-to-Head
• Bulgaria and Poland have met 12 times at the World League, with seven wins for Poland and five for Bulgaria.
• Bulgaria have won their last two World League matches against Poland, both in the 2013 edition.
• They could win three consecutive World League matches against Poland for the second time, after 2004.
• In 2012, these nations played each other in the Final Four semifinals. Poland won 3-0 and went on to win the competition.
• That 3-0 win in 2012 was Poland's most recent World League victory over Bulgaria.
Bulgaria
• Bulgaria will compete in the World League for the 19th time and the 14th time in a row.
• Their best result is a fourth place, which they reached in 1994, 2004, 2006, 2012 and 2013.
• Last year, Bulgaria finished in 10th place. They reached the group 2 final, which they lost to ultimate World League winners France in straight sets.
• Bulgaria have lost six of their last seven opening matches at the World League. The exception in this run was the 3-2 victory over France in 2013.
Poland
• This will be Poland's 19th (consecutive) participation at the World League. They have not missed a edition since their debut in 1998.
• They won the tournament in 2012 after beating United States in the final in straight sets.
• Poland are the reigning world champions. The last reigning world champion to win the World League was Brazil, who won the tournament in 2007, 2009 and 2010 after winning the 2006 World Championship.
• Last year, Poland finished in fourth place. They reached the group 1 Final Four, but lost to France in the semifinals (3-2) and against United States in the third place decider (3-0).
• Poland could lose four consecutive World League matches for the first time since 2013.