Head-to-Head
• These teams have met on nine previous occasions at the World Championship. Brazil has won the last two meetings, each of which came after the dissolution of the Soviet Union.
• The first seven meetings were won by the Soviet Union, which later continued as Russia.
• This is a sequel to two gold medal matches in the competition. In 1982, Soviet Union beat Brazil 3-0 and in 2002 Brazil beat Russia 3-2. The latter match is their most recent meeting at the World Championship.
• These teams also met in the final of the 2012 London Olympic Games. Russia won that match 3-2.
Brazil
• Brazil have won their last 12 matches at the World Championship, including all eight in this tournament.
• Brazil are guaranteed a place in the third round and therefore a top six finish. Brazil have finished in the top six in each of the last nine world championships.
• Brazil are bidding to become the first team to win this competition four times in a row.
Russia
• Russia have won their last 11 matches at the World Championship.
• This is their longest winning streak since triumphing 29 times in a row from 1974 to 1986. They achieved this as the Soviet Union.
• Russia and Brazil are the only remaining unbeaten teams in this tournament.