Brazil and Cuba revive World Championship 2010 finals rivalry

With eleven teams confirmed for the next round, the remaining teams will certainly exert their best team efforts to earn the maximum points. As for pool leaders Poland, Brazil, Russia and France; they are likely to protect their ranking for a better standpoint when they move to the next round. 

After suffering set-losses in the match against Cameroon and Korea, respectively, Poland and Russia will face tougher opponents on the final day of the first round. Brazil and Cuba will revive their World Championship 2010 finals rivalry in Pool B, while hosts Poland will face South American contenders Argentina in Pool A. 

There will be an all-European matchup between Russia and Bulgaria in Pool C, and France and Belgium in Pool D.

 Key Points

Australia and Venezuela common denominator – Australia and Venezuela have beaten African side Cameroon in Pool A. Australia won by a 3-0 scoreline, while Venezuela won 3-1. This is the first time these two teams will meet at the World Championship. Australia have won one of their four matches against South American teams, while Venezuela have won three of their 11 matches from the Asian Confederation.

Poland’s unbeaten run – Poland are unbeaten in their last 22 matches against Argentina at major tournaments. These two teams have met three times in the World Championship but their first two encounters were won by Argentina in 1986 and 1998. The winning streak started in 2002.

Serbia test the waters – Serbia have won their only encounter with an African side in 2006 against Tunisia with a 3-0 scoreline. Cameroon are coming off a loss but have built a good reputation in the competition as the only team that have given Poland a set-defeat. 

Tunisia still seeking for a win – Tunisia are winless in their 24 meetings at the World Championship against European sides and have won only five sets in total. Finland and Tunisia have met twice, and the former winning both matches in 1970 and 1982 in straight sets. 

Germany and Korea’s levelled matchup – Both teams have defeated each other once at the World Championship. Germany (GDR) won in straight sets in 1956, while Korea won also in straight sets in 1982. They also met in the World League four times, which ended with a 2-2 draw. 

Rivalry revived – Four years ago, Cuba and Brazil have played in the final. Brazil claimed their third title by beating Cuba in straight sets. They have played 12 times at the World Championship, with Brazil winning five times and Cuba the other seven times. 

First World Championship encounter – Egypt and Mexico will play against each other for the first time at the World Championship. Their previous encounter at a major tournament was at the 1988 World Cup, where the North American side won in straight sets. Egypt have won only two of their seven matches against NORCECA sides at the World Championship. 

Two match sweeps for China – China won both World Championship meetings with Canada in straight sets in 1974 and 1982. Their last two encounters at a major tournament ended in five sets in 1999 and 2003, with Canada winning both matches.

Climbing the Russian wall – Bulgaria have won only two of their 13 World Championship matches against Russia. In these two victories in 1970 and 2002, Bulgaria won in straight sets. In the 2010 World Championship, these teams met in the classification round for the 5th to 8th place, Russia won 3-1 over Bulgaria. Bulgaria can look to their last win at the 2011 FIVB Volleyball World League Intercontinental Round for inspiration.

French connection – France and Belgium had only one previous clash at the World Championship in 1978. France defeated Belgium in straight sets. France have won five of their seven matches against Belgium at major events. The last time Belgium won against France was at the European Championship in 2011.

Fire vs Fire – Iran and Puerto Rico will meet for the first time at the World Championship. Both teams were all fired-up after defeating former world champions Italy in this edition, both by 3-1 scorelines. Iran have three victories in the competition so far, while Puerto Rico have only one victory in the bag.

Italy’s winning edge – Italy and USA have met six times at the World Championship. Italy won four times, while USA won twice. In London 2012 Olympic Games, Italy defeated USA in straight sets in the quarterfinal. Their most recent meeting came at the 2014 World League Finals. Italy won in straight sets.