World versus Olympic champs in Kaliningrad

· This is the 71st meeting between these nations (including Soviet Union) at major tournaments. Russia have won 49 and Poland 21 of the previous 70.

· Poland have won six of the last seven meetings, only failing to beat them at the 2015 European Games.

· They have met twice in a final. Poland beat Soviet Union 3-2 at the 1976 Olympic Games and Soviet Union won 3-1 at the 1977 European Championship.

· This will be the 22nd World League meeting. Russia have won 13 of the previous 21 and Poland won eight, including the last four.

· Russia's last World League victory over Poland dates from 2011 in the semifinal (3-1). Russia won the tournament that year.

· Poland have won four of the last five World League meetings with Russia in Russia.

· Russia lost their first match of the 2016 World League in straight sets against Serbia.

· Russia could lose their opening two matches of a World League campaign both by a 3-0 scoreline for the third time after 1990 (as Soviet Union) and 1997.

· Last year, Russia lost their first 11 World League matches before winning 3-1 against Iran in their final match.

· Russia have now lost 13 of their last 14 World League matches, including six in straight sets

· Egur Kliuka scored a team-high 10 points against Serbia.

· Poland beat Bulgaria 3-1 in their first match of the 2016 World League, to end their three-match losing streak in the competition (final three matches of 2015).

· Poland could kick off a World League campaign with two consecutive wins for the sixth time and for the second edition in a row.

· Bartosz Bednorz scored a team-high 15 points against Bulgaria, including 13 spikes.