Bratislava, Slovakia, June 24, 2016 - Cuba may have defeated the Czech Republic at different international competitions years ago, but as they meet on Friday in Slovakia for their 2016 Group 2 match this will be their first encounter in the
FIVB Volleyball World League. Each of them has a 2-2 win-loss record so far and will be looking to tilt that their own way.
Head-to-Head
• This will be the first World League meeting between these teams.
• The last time Cuba and Czech Republic met each other was at the 2012 Olympic Qualification Tournament, where Cuba won 3-1.
• Cuba also won 3-1 against Czech Republic at the 2002 and 2006 World Championships.
Cuba
• Cuba have lost their last two World League matches and can lose three in a row for the first time since they lost their first three World League matches in the 2015 World League campaign.
• Cuba is one win shy of equalling their total World League win of last year.
• Luis Tomas Sosa Sierra is Cuba's team top scorer in the World League with 51 points.
• Osmany Santiago Uriarte Mestre is Cuba's best spiker as he scored 39.
Czech Republic
• Czech Republic have won two and lost two matches at the 2016 World League. China (3-1) and Netherlands (3-2) were defeated while Egypt (3-2) and Canada (3-1) proved too strong.
• Czech Republic can win two consecutive World League matches for the first time since Korea were defeated twice last year.
• Czech Republic have lost the first set in their last two matches and can lose three in a row for the first time since they lost their first set in four consecutive matches last year, all against France.
• Michal Finger scored a total of 66 points, most among players from Czech Republic. He also scored a team-high 15 points against Netherlands.