Pool F: Bulgaria – United States
Head-to-head
• These teams have met four times in main tournaments, but these matches never occurred within a shorter time span than 15 years. This will now change – the nations are set to meet for the second time in two years.
• The most recent encounter between these teams came in the preliminary round of the 2013 World Grand Prix. United States won in five sets.
• Bulgaria are unbeaten in two matches against United States at World Championships. In 1956 and 1998, the Bulgarians won 3-1 and 3-0 respectively.
Bulgaria
• Bulgaria have a solid balance against NORCECA teams, winning 10 of 14 matches. United States are only their second opponents from this region at World Championships since the end of the 2002 tournament. The others were Canada in this year’s first round (3-0 win).
• Bulgaria have claimed at least one set in each of their last five World Championship matches. This is their longest streak since 1978-82 (also 5). Their last longer streak came in the 1974 tournament, in which they claimed a set in all 10 matches.
• Bulgaria are one win shy of becoming the ninth nation with 50+ victories in the competition.
United States
• United States are the only nation with maximum points after six matches (18).
• United States can start a World Championship with seven victories for only the second time, after winning the first 10 matches in 2002. Back then, their first defeat came in the final against Italy.
• United States have won nine of their last 11 matches against teams from Europe, including all three matches in 2014 (v NED, RUS, TUR). The two defeats came against Russia and Italy in 2010.