Russian players have not yet hit the 20-point marker in their two matches but somehow climbed to the top of the standings in Pool C
Katowice and Gdansk, Poland, September 5, 2014 – Russia have quietly climbed to the top of the standings in Pool C despite the key players’ unusual approach on scoring in their first two matches at the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship.
The low-key performance of the players was rather effective as they have masterfully crafted a new approach on their offence. In their two previous matches, none of the players have charted more than 20 points. Dmitriy Muserski managed to tally 18 points against Egypt but have allowed Dmitriy Ilynykh to top the charts in their second match against Canada.
Meanwhile, Brazil are on top of Pool B with an undefeated record so far. Likewise, China trail Russia in Pool C, with two victories.
• Korea can win two of their first three matches for the first time since 1982.
• Korea have not won a World Championship match in straight sets since 1998.
• Cuba have won their last nine World Championship matches against Asian teams.
• Cuba can lose their opening three World Championship matches for the first time since their debut in 1956.
• Korea are winless in their five World Championship meetings with Cuba.
• Three of those meetings were played in five sets in 1956, 1978 and 1994.
• Germany’s last six World Championship matches finished in straight sets.
• Germany can win two of their first three matches for the first time since 2006.
• Tunisia have lost their last five World Championship matches and can lose six in a row for the first time since 1974-1982.
• Tunisia have yet to win a match against a European side at the World Championship.
• Their most recent meeting at a major tournament was at the London 2012 Olympic Games.
• In that tournament, Germany defeated Tunisia in the group stage in straight sets.
• Brazil have won their last six World Championship matches, dropping only three sets.
• Brazil can win their first three World Championship matches without losing a set for the first time since 1998.
• Finland have won five successive World Championship for the first time in team history. • Finland have won at least one set in each of their last seven World Championship matches.
• Brazil are unbeaten in their three meetings with Finland at the World Championship.
• Brazil and Finland have met each other in 16 World League matches, Finland had only one victory, which came in five sets.
• China are on a two match-winning streak.
• China can win three in a row at the World Championship for the first time since 1978-1982.
• Bulgaria have not been able to follow-up on a single loss with a win since 1998; they have always lost at least one following after an initial loss.
• Bulgaria have not played back-to-back five-setters at the World Championship since 2002-2006.
• China and Bulgaria have met six times at the World Championship; Bulgaria took five victories.
• In the last edition, Bulgaria defeated China 3-0 in the first round.
• Canada can record back-to-back victories at the World Championship for the first time.
• Canada have played only three five-setters since the start of this century.
• Egypt can equal their record losing streak of six defeats at the World Championship.
• Egypt can lose back-to-back matches in straight sets for the first time since 2002.
• Canada and Egypt’s only previous meeting was in 1978.
• Canada have won their last four World Championship meetings with African teams.
• Russia have won each of their last five World Championship matches; three were in straight sets.
• No player has scored more than 20 points for Russia in a match so far.
• Mexico are on a four-match losing streak.
• Mexico can lose their first three matches at a World Championship for the first time in team history.
• Russia and Mexico will meet at the World Championship for the first time.
• Russia have lost only two of their 20 World Championship matches against NORCECA sides.