Lausanne, Switzerland, June 18, 2017 - Poland host USA Sunday in Lodz in their 24th head-to-head in the FIVB World League. USA lead the series 12-11, but Poland need to win this one to stay on track for a ticket to the Final Six in Curitiba.
Head-to-Head• Poland and United States will meet for the 24th time in the World League. With a win Poland will level the balance between these teams 12-12.
• In 2012, these teams met in the World League final. Poland won in straight sets.
• In their most recent World League meeting these teams played the bronze medal match in 2015. United States won in straight sets.
• These teams most recently met in a competitive match at the Olympic Games when United States won the in straight sets in the quarterfinals.
Poland• Poland beat Iran 3-0 on Saturday to improve to four wins and four defeats for the World League season.
• Poland can now win back-to-back World League matches for the first time since winning the first two of this campaign.
• For the first time in 34 World League matches, Poland recorded a straight-sets win.
• Three players reached double figures in scoring in Poland's 3-0 win against Iran: Michal Kubiak (15), Dawid Konarski (12) and Rafal Buszek (10).
United States• United States have won three and lost five in this year’s World League.
• United States lost in five sets to Russia on Saturday. Team USA have now lost their last three World League matches that went to five sets.
• Their last five wins in the competition came in straight sets.
• Taylor Sander's massive total of 28 points (24 spikes, 3 kill blocks, 1 ace) was not enough to give USA the win over Russia.