Saskatoon, Canada, June 26, 2016 - Canada will try to please the home crowd in Saskatoon once again and stay unbeaten in their FIVB Volleyball World League 2016 Group 2 campaign, as they meet Portugal on Sunday.
Head-to-Head
• This will be the third World League match between these teams.
• Both previous matches were also played in Canada (Mississauga), in 2013. Canada won on 7 June (3-0), while Portugal defeated the home team 3-1 a day later.
• These nations also met at the 1996 World Olympic Qualification Tournament, when Portugal won 3-1.
Canada
• Canada are still unbeaten at the 2016 World League, winning all five matches. The only other team in Group 2 without defeat is Turkey (before Egypt - Turkey).
• Canada have lost only one set in those five matches, in their 3-1 win against Czech Republic.
• Canada have never won three consecutive World League matches in straight sets.
• Canada can win six successive World League matches for the first time since a run of seven in 2013.
• Steven Marshall is currently among Group 2's best spikers with a success rate of 59.15%.
• Marshall (68.13%) and Blair Cameron Bann (72.22%) are among the best receivers in Group 2, while Tyler Sanders is one of the best setters (13.63 per set) and diggers (2.19 per set) in this group.
Portugal
• Portugal recorded their first win at the 2016 World League as they beat Korea 3-0.
• It was their first win since a 3-2 win over Netherlands in 2015 and their first 3-1 or 3-0 win since a 3-0 victory against Korea in 2014.
• Portugal can win successive World League matches for the first time since a run of three in 2014 (Netherlands, Korea (2)).
• Marco Ferreira (17) and Alexandre Ferreira (16) scored most points for Portugal against Korea.