Lausanne, Switzerland, June 3, 2017 - Russia and France come head-to-head for the 11th time in the history of the World League Saturday in Kazan, with the series tied at 5-5. Both look at remaining undefeated after their opening day wins over Argentina and Bulgaria respectively.
Head-to-Head• Russia and France have met 10 times in the World League, with both teams winning five.
• These teams met in the World League last year, with France defeating Russia 3-0 in the group phase.
• Their previous five World League meetings all took place in the same year. In 2006, Russia won three of those and France won the other two. They ultimately finished second (France) and third (Russia) in that season.
• Last year, they also met twice in the European Olympic Qualification tournament. France won their group phase match (3-1), but Russia won the final of the tournament 3-1 to claim a ticket to the Olympic Games. France ultimately qualified for Rio 2016 through the World Olympic Qualification Tournament.
Russia• For the first time since 2013, Russia have started their World League campaign with a victory: 3-0 against Argentina.
• Eight of Russia’s last 10 World League matches ended after three sets, including the last five. Russia won four and lost four of those eight matches.
• After suffering a 12-match losing streak in the competition between 2014 and 2015, Russia have now won seven of their last 11 World League matches.
• Maxim Zhigalov led his team in scoring on Friday with 18 points, He converted 10 of 12 spike attempts (83%).
France• France won their World League opener against Bulgaria 3-0 on Friday.
• France could win their first two matches for the fourth straight time in a World League campaign.
• Eight of France’s last 10 World League victories have come in straight sets, including one against Russia in 2016.
• Against Bulgaria, five French players tallied seven points or more, but none had more than 11.