Lausanne, Switzerland, June 14, 2017 - Brazil and Bulgaria clash Friday in Cordoba for the 24th time in World League history, with the South Americans leading the series 19-4. This is a rematch of last week's win of the Balkan side in Varna. Brazil, as hosts, are already assured of a berth in the Final Six of the 2017 FIVB World League in Cordoba; a win by Bulgaria on Friday would bring them very close to qualfication.
Head-to-Head• Brazil have won 19 of their 23 World League encounters with Bulgaria.
• No other team have won more matches against Bulgaria in the World League than Brazil (Russia next 16).
• In their first encounter this year, Bulgaria won 3-1, ending a losing streak of eight World League matches against the Canarinhos.
• Bulgaria could now win consecutive World League fixtures against Brazil for the second time, after 2006-2007.
• In 1994, these teams met in the World League third-place match with Brazil winning 3-2.
• In 2013, these teams met in the World League semifinal. Brazil won 3-1 and eventually lost the final against Russia in straight sets. Bulgaria lost the bronze medal match against Italy in five sets.
Brazil• Last year's finalists Brazil have lost their last World League match (3-1 against Bulgaria) and could lose consecutive matches within the same season for the first time since 2015 when they lost against Italy and France.
• Last season, the only opponents they lost back-to-back World League matches against were Serbia (group stage and final).
• Bruno Mossa Rezende is the best setter in Group 1 with 5.08 average per set.
• Thales Hoss is the best receiver in Group 1 with an efficiency of 62.28%, ahead of teammate Mauricio Borges Almeida Silva (59.76%).
Bulgaria• Bulgaria are currently in sixth place in Group 1 coming into this weekend of play. With final round hosts Brazil currently in third place, a sixth place would be enough to qualify for the next round.
• Bulgaria are one win shy of their 150th World League victory, becoming the eighth team to reach this landmark.
• Bulgaria have conceded at least one set in each of their last 18 World League matches since their straight set win over Argentina on 4 July 2015.
• Nikolay Nikolov is the best blocker in Group 1 with an average of 0.86 per set.
• Tsvetan Sokolov (100 points) is one of the two players who have already scored 100 points in the World League Group 1 this season, besides France's Stephen Boyer (106).