Kaliningrad, Russia, August 4, 2019 – Russia claimed a five-set win against Korea 3-2 (21-25, 20-25, 25-22, 25-16, 15-11) on Sunday to claim a spot at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. The two teams had won back-to-back matches on the first two days and were playing for the Olympic berth in the qualification tournament in Kaliningrad on Sunday, the final day of the competition.
Mexico - Canada (August 4, 2019)
Head-to-Head
• Mexico and Canada meet for the first time in the last seven world Olympic qualifying campaigns (1996-2020).
• These teams met twice in a major world level tournament. Mexico won 3-2 at the 1974 World Championship, while Canada prevailed 3-0 at the 1978 World Championship.
• Major world level competitions are: Olympic Games, World Championship, World Cup, World Grand Prix, Nations League, Grand Champions Cup.
Mexico
• Mexico lost both of their Olympic qualifying matches in Kaliningrad, 3-0 against Russia and 3-0 against Republic of Korea.
• Mexico's only participation in the Olympic Games was in 1968. They finished in seventh place as the host nation, after winning only one of their seven matches (3-0 against USA).
• Lizbeth Sainz and Andrea Rangel (both 12) were Mexico's joint-leading scorers against Republic of Korea. Rangel is Mexico's top scorer this week, with 21 total points.
• Sainz scored three of Mexico's six points from stuff blocks against Republic of Korea on Saturday.
Canada
• Canada lost both of their Olympic qualifying matches this weekend, 3-1 against Republic of Korea and 3-0 against Russia.
• Canada participated ina the Olympic Games in 1976, 1984 and 1996. They did not finish higher than eighth place in those editions.
• Alexa Lea Gray (16) and Kiera Van Ryk (10) both reached double figures in scoring for Canada against Russia on Saturday. Gray (22) and Van Ryk (13) also reached the 10-point mark against Republic of Korea on Friday.
Russia – Korea (August 4, 2019)
Head-to-Head
• Russia and Republic of Korea meet for the third time in the last seven world Olympic qualifying campaigns (1996-2020).
• Republic of Korea defeated Russia 3-2 in the 2004 edition. Russia prevailed in straight sets in the 2012 tournament.
• Russia (incl. predecessors) won 45 of their 52 meetings with Republic of Korea in major world level competitions (Olympic Games, World Championship, World Cup, World Grand Prix, Nations League, Grand Champions Cup).
• Russia won five of their last six world level matches against Republic of Korea, with a 3-0 defeat in the 2018 Volleyball Nations League as the only exception.
• Russia defeated Republic of Korea 3-1 in the 2019 VNL, their most recent world level encounter.
Russia
• Russia have beaten Mexico and Canada in straight sets in their Olympic qualifying group in Kaliningrad.
• The only time Russia, Soviet Union or Unified Team were not present in the women's tournament at the Olympic Games was in 1984. Soviet Union had qualified for that tournament but boycotted the Games.
• Russia won each of their last 10 matches in world Olympic qualification, dropping only one set.
• Nataliya Goncharova scored 21 points against Canada, at least five more than any other player on the court. Goncharova ???????scored a match-high 12 points against Mexico on Friday
Republic of Korea
• Republic of Korea are on track for a ticket for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games after wins against Canada (3-1) and Mexico (3-0).
• Republic of Korea could qualify for the Olympic Games for the 12th time. They only missed out on the 1980, 1992 and 2008 editions.
• Yeon Koung Kim was the leading points scorer in Republic of Korea's wins against Canada and Mexico, with 37 and 14 points respectively.