Bangkok, Thailand, July 8, 2016 - USA and Russia, last year's gold and silver medallists, will meet in the second FIVB Volleyball World Grand Prix 2016 Group 1 semifinal. The outcome is bound to tilt the 12-12 head-to-head balance in the World Grand Prix one way or another.
Head-to-Head
• With United States and Russia squaring off, last year's World Grand Prix gold medallists (USA) and silver medallists (Russia) will meet.
• United States and Russia have met 24 times in the World Grand Prix. Both teams have won 12 of these matches.
• United States have won the last three World Grand Prix encounters between these two. They have never won four in a row against Russia
• The longest winning streak in the World Grand Prix between these teams by one side was a five-match winning streak from Russia between 1996 and 1998.
• Russia's last victory in the World Grand Prix came in the 2014 World Grand Prix when they won the first of two matches by 3-1.
United States
• United States have claimed a gold medal (4 times), or no medal in their last 11 World Grands Prix. The title defenders are seeking their first back-to-back championship at the World Grand Prix after winning in 2010, 2011 and 2012.
• United States have won their last eight matches in the World Grand Prix, losing only two sets.
• Netherlands won one set in their 3-1 loss on 25 June. United States won in straight sets in their following three matches.
Russia
• Russia won their last match against Thailand in straight sets to qualify for the semifinals.
• Russia have won nine matches in the 2016 World Grand Prix. They can win 10 for the first time since 2009.
• Nataliya Goncharova has scored 224 points this tournament, more than twice as many as any of her teammates. Irini Zaryazhko has scored 110 as the second-most prolific Russian.