Lausanne, Switzerland, June 16, 2017 - France, although already qualified for the Final Six in Curitiba, look to rebound against Canada, Saturday in Antwerp, after suffering their first defeat this season Friday to Italy. France and Canada meet for the fifth time in FIVB World League history, with the Europeans leading the series 3-1.
Head-to-Head• France and Canada have met four times in the World League, with France winning the first three and Canada the most recent encounter.
• All four encounters between these teams in the World League came in 1991. In Pool A, Canada finished last and France second last.
• Their most recent meeting in a major tournament came in the preliminary round at the 2016 Olympic Games when France won in straight sets.
• In the Qualification Tournament for the Olympic Games, France also beat Canada in straight sets.
France• France's last match ended in defeat against Italy, 16-14 in the fifth set. It ended France's 100% winning start to the 2017 World League.
• Despite that defeat, France have already qualified for the Group 1 final round.
• Since the beginning of 2014, France have lost consecutive World League fixtures on only one occasion – last year against Brazil and Poland.
• France have won only one of their last five World League matches that have gone to a deciding set.
Canada• Canada have won four of their seven 2017 World League matches, with three of those victories coming in a deciding set.
• Canada's other four World League matches this year all ended in a 3-1 scoreline (W1-L3).
• Canada have not suffered a straight-set World League defeat since 27 June 2014 (against Finland).
• Canada have won four of their last five World League matches that have gone to a deciding set, directly following a run of seven consecutive defeats in five-setters in the competition.