Lausanne, Switzerland, June 14, 2017 - Finland and Portugal meet for the 16th time in FIVB World League history Friday in Cairo, with the Finns leading the series 10-5 - though the Poruguese emerged victors in five sets last time the two sides met, in the 2016 edition of the competition.
Head-to-Head• All of the 15 meetings on a major stage between Portugal and Finland took place in the World League. Portugal won five, while Finland were victorious 10 times.
• Portugal won only one of their last five against Finland and it was the most recent meeting between these sides, played last season (3-2).
• All previous 15 World League meetings between these sides were played either in Portugal or in Finland.
Portugal• Portugal have won only one of their six World League matches this season and have lost each of their last four.
• This is Portugal's longest losing streak in the World League since 2015-2016, when they lost eight on the trot.
• Portugal have not suffered back-to-back defeats in straight sets in the World League since 2012.
Finland• After losing all three of their World League matches in the opening weekend this season, Finland bounced back by winning two of three in Week 2.
• All of Finland's last four victories in the World League came in front of a home crowd. Their last victory in the competition prior to that came in Egypt.
In Group 2, Tommi Sirrila ranks as the best blocker, averaging 0.88 per set.