Lausanne, Switzerland, July 7, 2017 - Brazil host USA in Curitiba Friday for the first of the 2017 FIVB World League semifinals as they embark on the final push to claim a record tenth title. The North Americans, meanwhile, are still on track for a third World League gold, after their successes in 2008 and 2014.
Head-to-Head• This will be the 40th time Brazil and United States face each other in the World League. This is the most common tie for both countries in the competition.
• Brazil have won 29 and lost 10 encounters. They won the last three, in 2015 and 2016 (2).
• United States last beat Brazil in the final in 2014 (3-1). Taylor Sander was top scorer in that match on 24 points.
• Sander is one of six USA players from that 2014 team who is also in their 2017 squad. Brazil have eight players remaining.
Brazil• Brazil can become the first team to win the World League 10 times.
• The reigning Olympic champions have not won the World League since 2010. They have appeared in another four finals since, but always finished second.
• Brazil won 13 of their last 14 semifinal matches in the World League, losing only to United States in 2008.
• The last two times the Final Round was held in Brazil the Brazilian team did not make it to the final. In 2015 France beat Serbia 3-0 and in 2008 United States beat Serbia 3-1.
• In 2002 Brazil last reached the final on home soil, when they lost 3-1 to Russia.
• Brazil have played one World League match this season which ended in straight sets, the 3-0 win over Bulgaria on 16 June.
United States• United States are in search of their third gold medal in the World League. They previously won the tournament in 2008 and 2014.
• Their most recent victory in 2014 also marked the last time United States reached the final.
• Last season they finished fifth and did not make it into the top three for the first time since 2013 (12th).
• United States lost their most recent World League semifinal 3-2 to Serbia in 2015. They had won their three semifinals prior to that defeat in straight sets, versus Brazil (2008), Cuba (2012) and Iran (2014).
• United States have claimed a total of six World League medals (G2-S1-B3), five of which since 2007.
• United States lost their opening three matches of the 2017 World League but bounced back with five wins in their following eight matches.