Pool F: Bulgaria – Russia
Head-to-head
• Bulgaria are winless in their six meetings with Russia at the World Championship. In these meetings they succeeded to win only one set.
• It is Bulgaria's worst record against teams from Europe having won at least two sets against any other CEV team.
• Bulgaria beat Russia once at a major tournament: 3-0 at the 1981 European Championship.
Bulgaria
• Bulgaria are on a three-match winning streak. They can win four straight for the first time since 1978-1982.
• Bulgaria have won their last two matches in straight sets and can record three consecutive wins by a 3-0 score line for the third time in history and for the first time since the 2002 edition.
• Bulgaria are one win shy of becoming the ninth nation with 50+ victories in the competition.
Russia
• Last Sunday, Russia’s 17-match winning streak came to an end as they lost 3-1 against United States. It was their first defeat in the competition since 12 November 2006, when they lost 3-1 against Brazil.
• Russia have never lost back-to-back matches at the World Championship since the dissolution of Soviet Union. Soviet Union most recently lost two straight in 1986, against East Germany and China.
• The reigning champions are unbeaten against CEV sides since competing as “Russia” (since 1994) at World Championship. They won all 16 matches including nine in straight sets.