Kaliningrad, Russia, June 19, 2016 – Russia will aim to continue their good run of form at home against Bulgaria, having last lost to them in front of their home fans in the FIVB Volleyball World League in 2009.
Head-to-Head
· Russia/Soviet Union have won 55 of the previous 66 meetings at major competitions, including the most recent one at the 2016 European Olympic Qualification Tournament (3-0).
· Bulgaria won most recently at the 2015 European Games (3-1).
· Russia have won 14 of the previous 18 World League meetings including the last five. Bulgaria's most recent World League victory dates back to 2011.
· Russia have won seven of eight home matches in the World League against Bulgaria. Bulgaria's only victory in and against Russia was in 2009 (in Khabarovsk).
Russia
· Russia recorded a 3-0 victory against Poland on Saturday. They have now already equalled their total wins in the 2015 World League as they only won against Iran in their final match.
· Russia can win back-to-back World League matches for the first time since winning four in a row in 2014.
· Russia can record back-to-back straight set victories in the World League for the first time since they won four matches in a row in straight sets in 2014. This streak includes two matches against Bulgaria.
· Kostyantyn Bakun scored a team-high 14 points in their last match against Poland.
Bulgaria
· Bulgaria started their 2016 World League with two defeats against Poland (3-1) and Serbia (3-0).
· They could start a World League campaign with three defeats for the third time, after 2005 and 2014.
· In total, Bulgaria have lost their last three World League matches as they lost last year's group 2 final against France. The last time they lost more consecutive matches in the competition was in 2014-2015 (run of five).
· Tsvetan Sokolov has scored most points for Bulgaria: 35, including 32 spikes.