Lausanne, Switzerland, May 18, 2018 - Reigning European champions Russia hold an overwhelming 6-2 lead over Canada in their head-to-head series, but last time they met it was the north Americans who came away with the win, in straight sets in Curitiba, at the 2017 FIVB World League finals. Can Canada repeat the feat when they meet again Friday in Pool 3 of the inaugural 2018 FIVB Men's Volleyball Nations League at Katowice?
Head-to-Head
• Russia (including the Soviet Union and CIS) and Canada will meet for the ninth time in a world level major competition.
• World level major competitions are: Olympic Games, World Championships, World Cup, World League and Grand Champions Cup.
• Russia have won six of the eight encounters in world level majors between these teams, but lost the last one in straight sets at the 2017 World League.
• At the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, Russia won in straight sets in the quarterfinals before losing to eventual champions Brazil in the semis.
• Six of the eight world level majors between these countries were straight setters, with the 3-2 Canada win at the 2013 World League and the 3-2 Russia win in their first major world level encounter at the 1994 World Championship as the only exceptions.
Russia
• Russia (including the Soviet Union and CIS) have claimed titles at four of the five world level major competitions at least once.
• They became Olympic champions four times, world champions six times, won the World Cup six times and won the World League three times. Their best result at the Grand Champions Cup is a second place (2013).
• Their last major title came in 2013 when they were victorious in the World League.
• In 2017, Russia qualified for Group 1 final round at the World League, after winning five matches and losing four times in Group 1. In the Group 1 final round they lost both matches, 3-0 against Canada and 3-2 against Brazil.
• Russia won the European Championship last year, winning their first five matches without losing any set. They won the final 3-2 against Germany.
• Russia are currently ranked joint fourth at the FIVB World Ranking, together with Italy, after they had been in the top three for 10 years (2006-2016).
Canada
• Canada have yet to claim a title in a world level major competition. Their best result came in their most recent world level major, the 2017 World League in which they finished third.
• Canada won the bronze medal match at the World League against USA, defeating them 3-1 after losing the first set.
• In 2015, Canada won the Norceca Championship defeating Cuba 3-1 in the final.
• Canada are currently ranked sixth at the FIVB World Ranking, their highest rank since the current world ranking system was introduced in 2006.