Tucuman, Argentina, June 4, 2016 - Kenya have never won a match against a European rival at a major competition, so Bulgaria seem to be the clear pre-favourite in their upcoming FIVB Volleyball World Grand Prix 2016 encounter with the African side in Tucuman on Saturday. However, the Bulgarians have already secured their spot in the finals as hosts and have wasted a lot of energy for their five-setter on Friday, so the Kenyans may have a historic chance.
Head-to-Head
• Bulgaria won both matches against Kenya at major tournaments, with both matches being played at the 2014 World Grand Prix, 3-2, 3-1.
• Kenya can claim their first win against European opposition at a major tournament, after suffering 25 defeats.
• Bulgaria have won all of their four matches against African sides at major events, all in 2014, at the World Grand Prix and the World Championships.
Kenya
• Kenya opened their 2016 World Grand Prix campaign with a 3-0 defeat to Argentina, breaking their best ever winning streak in the competition of five.
• Kenya have only once lost successive matches in the World Grand Prix - two in a row in 2014 (Croatia, Bulgaria).
• Only Argentina (56) conceded fewer points than Kenya (75) in the first round of matches in Group 2.
• Brackcides Khadambi scored most points for Kenya against Argentina (17 points), almost double the amount of the team's next best scorer Mercy Moim (9).
Bulgaria
• Bulgaria started with a 3-2 win over Dominican Republic on the first day of the 2016 World Grand Prix.
• Bulgaria have now won their last two World Grand Prix matches and could have a run of three for the first time since winning all eight matches at the 2014 World Grand Prix.
• Five of Bulgaria's last six World Grand Prix matches have been decided in five sets (W3-L2). The only exception was a 3-0 victory over Puerto Rico in 2015.
• Emiliya Nikolova scored most points for Bulgaria in the first match (26). Gergana Dimitrova (16), Eva Yaneva (15) and Nasya Dimitrova (10) also reached double figures.