Bangkok, Thailand, July 9, 2016 - What a final has been set up for the FIVB Volleyball World Grand Prix 2016 Group 1! The most decorated team in the competition, 10-time winner Brazil, will lock horns with the defending champions USA.
Head-to-Head
• These teams will meet for the 23rd time at the World Grand Prix. Brazil won 13 times and United States nine times.
• Brazil have only lost more World Grand Prix matches against Russia (12) and China (11).
• Brazil won four of their last five World Grand Prix encounters with USA, but the Americans prevailed in the very last as they won in straight sets in the Final Round of 2015.
• Five of USA's nine wins against Brazil came in a five-setter. Brazil claimed three of their 13 victories in a deciding set.
• This is a repeat of the London 2012 Olympic Games final. Brazil won the gold medal after a 3-1 win.
Brazil
• Brazil have won the World Grand Prix a record 10 times. Their last gold medal came in 2014.
• Brazil will claim their ninth consecutive medal at the World Grand Prix as they finished on the podium in each of the last eight editions (G4-S3-B1).
• Brazil have won 10 matches at the 2016 World Grand Prix and lost two. They have not lost three in the same year since 2010.
• On only two occasions the winner of the World Grand Prix won Olympic gold in the same year. Brazil achieved this in 2008 and Cuba in 2000.
• Brazil had four players reaching double figures in scoring in the semifinal against Netherlands: Natalia Pereira (13), Fabiana Claudino (11), Fernanda Rodrigues (11) and Sheilla Castro De Paula Blassioli (10).
United States
• United States are hoping to successfully defend their World Grand Prix title.
• They previously won back-to-back gold medals in the competition between 2010 and 2012 (3 gold).
• The only other team to win the World Grand Prix in consecutive years are opponents Brazil (2004-2006, 2008-2009, 2013-2014).
• United States have either won the World Grand Prix (4 times) or failed to reach the podium in their last 11 appearances
• United States have won their last nine matches in the World Grand Prix, losing only two sets.