Kaliningrad, Russia, June 11, 2016 - Russia and Belgium exchanged straight-set victories in the previous two editions of the FIVB Volleyball World Grand Prix, so as they meet on Saturday for their 2016 encounter, one of them will take the edge in the head-to-head record.
Head-to-Head
• Russia and Belgium will go head-to-head for the third time at the World Grand Prix. On 21 August 2014 Russia beat Belgium 3-0 and on 18 July 2015 it was Belgium to claim a straight set win.
• Russia have won 10 of their last 11 World Grand Prix matches against European teams. Their only defeat in this span was the aforementioned 3-0 to Belgium in 2015.
Russia
• Russia started off their 2016 World Grand Prix campaign with a four-set win against Netherlands. They can win the first two matches of a season for the third straight year.
• Russia have booked back-to-back wins, can claim three in a row for the first time since the end of 2014 / the beginning of 2015.
• Russia have a negative World Grand Prix balance against only two teams: Cuba (10 wins-12 defeats) and Brazil (12-17). If they lose today, Belgium will be added to this list (1-1 before today).
Belgium
• After beating Turkey 3-0 in their opening match at last season’s World Grand Prix, they suffered a defeat with the same score against the same opponent on Friday.
• Belgium are now in danger of losing their first two matches of a WGP campaign for the first time ever (3rd participation).
• Nineteen of Belgium’s 26 World Grand Prix matches have ended in straight sets. They have won nine and lost 10 of those 19.
• Belgium have won only one of their 25 World Grand Prix matches in which their opponents took at least one set. This win came against Netherlands in August 2014 (3-2).