Lausanne, Switzerland, June 10, 2017 - Bulgaria challenge Rio 2016 gold medallists Brazil Sunday in Varna, but the South Americans have won 10 of their last 11 encounters with the Balkan side - includiing a straihgt sun in the last five.
Head-to-Head• Brazil have won 10 of their last 11 major encounters with Bulgaria, including each of their last five.
• Bulgaria's only triumph over Brazil in that run was their 3-0 pool phase victory at the 2010 World Championships in Italy.
• It is nearly 10 years since Bulgaria last beat Brazil in the World League (11 July 2007). Brazil won each of their next eight encounters in the competition.
• Bulgaria have only played more World League matches against Cuba (28) than versus Brazil (22).
• Bulgaria have lost 19 matches against Brazil in the World League, at least three more than versus any other country (16 against Russia).
Brazil• Brazil (99) are one short of 100 World League defeats. Their first loss in the competition was 3-1 against Italy on 29 April 1990.
• Brazil have won four consecutive World League matches by a 3-1 scoreline, after opening their 2017 campaign with a five-set defeat versus Poland.
• Since the beginning of 2016, Serbia are the only other team to beat Brazil in a World League match, recording victories in last year's group stage and final.
• Each of Brazil's last seven World League defeats have been against CEV opposition.
Bulgaria• Both of Bulgaria's 2017 World League victories came in a deciding set, versus Russia and Poland.
• Bulgaria had recorded only one win in their entire 2016 World League campaign, 3-2 versus Australia in their final fixture after losing the first eight matches.
• Bulgaria's last World League win without requiring a deciding set came on 10 July 2015, 3-1 against Belgium.