Belgrade, Serbia, June 21, 2016 - Iran and Bulgaria will open the second week in FIVB Volleyball World League 2016 with a Group 1 match in Belgrade on Thursday.
Head-to-Head
• Iran and Bulgaria will meet for the first time at the World League.
• These teams last met at a major tournament at the 2006 World Championships. Bulgaria beat Iran 3-0 in the first group stage.
• Bulgaria also beat Iran 3-0 in the group stage of the 1970 World Championships.
Iran
• Iran started their 2016 World League campaign with losses against Brazil (3-0) and United States (3-1), but won their last match of the opening weekend as they beat Argentina 3-2.
• They are looking to claim back-to-back victories at the World League for the first time since a streak of five wins in 2015.
• Iran have won their last two World League matches that went to five sets.
• Iran have won four of their last six World League matches against CEV teams, but lost their most recent one against Russia (3-1) in 2015.
Bulgaria
• Bulgaria have started their World League season with three defeats for the third time, after 2005 and 2014.
• In 2005 Bulgaria won their fourth match, while in 2014 they lost their first seven.
• Bulgaria have won 31 of their 33 World League matches against AVC teams. Their only two defeats came against Japan, both in 2009.
• In their last match against Russia (3-1 defeat), Tsvetan Sokolov scored a team-high 21 points for Bulgaria. Viktor Yosifov was Bulgaria's second-highest scorer, with 10 points.