Lausanne, Switzerland, May 26, 2018 - Argentina still seek their first win the 2018 FIVB Volleyball Nations League (after losing to USA and China in their opening two matches) when they face Bulgaria Sunday in Ningbo. But the Balkan side, who are 1-1 (after beating China and losing to USA) lead the head-to-head series with Argentina 19-10.
Head-to-Head
• Bulgaria and Argentina will meet for the 30th time in world level major competitions. Argentina won 10 times versus 19 victories for Bulgaria.
• World level major competitions are: the VNL, Olympic Games, World Championships, World Cup, World League and Grand Champions Cup.
• Argentina have won four of their last five world level encounters with Bulgaria, including each of the last three. The only exception was Bulgaria's straight-set victory at the 2015 World League.
• In each of their last seven encounters, the team that won the first set went on to win the match. The last time the side that lost the first set ultimately won was on 23 June 2013, when Bulgaria won 3-1 in the World League after Argentina had won the first set 25-17.
• The last time Argentina and Bulgaria met in world level competition other than the World League was at the 2012 Olympic Games. Argentina won 3-1, which was Bulgaria's only defeat in the group phase. Bulgaria ultimately finished in fourth place, Argentina were eliminated in the quarterfinals.
Bulgaria
• After winning their opening match of the 2018 VNL against China, Bulgaria lost 3-1 to United States on Saturday.
• Bulgaria last suffered successive defeats at a world level major competition at the 2017 World League: 3-0 against France and 3-2 against forthcoming opponents Argentina in Group 1.
• Bulgaria have not claimed a straight sets victory at a world level major competition since their 3-0 victory over forthcoming opponents Argentina at the 2015 World League. Bulgaria have suffered six 3-0 defeats since.
• Nikolay Uchikov (15 points) and Todor Skrimov (10) scored 10+ points for Bulgaria in their defeat against USA on Saturday.
Argentina
• After their 3-2 defeat against United States on Friday, Argentina again tasted defeat as they were beaten in straight sets by China on Saturday.
• Argentina last started a world level major competition with three successive defeats at the 2016 World League, when they lost their first four matches of the tournament.
• Argentina's last victory in a world level major competition match was their 3-1 win over forthcoming opponents Bulgaria at last year's World League.
• Tomas Lopez (10 points) was Argentina's only player to reach double figures in scoring in their defeat against China on Saturday.