Statistical preview: Brazil and Russia in rematch of 1982 and 2002 finals

Turin, Italy, September 25, 2018 - Rio 2016 Olympic champions Brazil and reigning European champions Russia open the Final Six of the 2018 FIVB Men's World Championship, Wednesday at the Pala Alpitour in Turin, as the top six teams in the world battle it out for the ultimate prize in international volleyball.

The head-to-head count between the two sides in World Championship history stands at 7-4 for Russia (including as Soviet Union), but the South Americans have won each of the last four encounters since 1994. The two sides met twice in a World Championship final - on both occasions in Argentina: Russia won 3-0 in 1982, while Brazil emerged victorious 3-2 in 2002.

**Head-to-Head **• Brazil have won each of the last four encounters with Russia at the World Championship (1994-2014). Brazil had lost their first seven World Championship encounters with the Russians (1960-1990). • In 2014, Brazil and Russia also met in the third round of the World Championship. Brazil won 3-0 and went on to finish as runners-up, while Russia were eliminated in that third round. • These teams met twice in the final of the World Championship, both times held in Argentina. Russia won 3-0 in 1982, while Brazil won 3-2 in 2002. • Brazil and Russia met twice in the 2018 Nations League. Brazil won 3-1 in Ufa, Russia, in the preliminary round, but Russia won 3-0 in the semifinals in France and went on to win the first Nations League trophy. • In 2016, Brazil defeated Russia 3-0 in the semifinals of the Olympic Games on their way to the gold medal.

Brazil • Brazil have won seven of their eight matches at the 2018 World Championship, with the exception of a 3-1 defeat against Netherlands in the first round. • In the second round, Brazil won each of their three matches: 3-0 against both Australia and Slovenia and 3-2 against Belgium. • Brazil have reached the final at each of the last four World Championships, winning the world title in 2002, 2006 and 2010 and losing the final in 2014 against Poland. • Brazil have won at least one set in each of their last 25 World Championship matches, after losing 3-0 against Bulgaria in 2010. • Wallace De Souza and Douglas Souza are Brazil's top scorers at this World Championship on 109 points each.

Russia • Russia won each of their three matches in the second round of the World Championship: 3-0 against Netherlands and Finland and 3-2 versus Italy. • Russia could win four successive World Championship matches for the first time since a run of 11 victories in 2010-2014. • Russia have reached the third round at the third successive World Championship, but failed to reach the semifinals in both 2010 and 2014. • The last time Russia reached the semifinals of the World Championship was in 2002, when they ultimately lost the final against Brazil. • The last time Russia won the world title was in 1982, when they won in Argentina. • Maxim Mikhaylov has scored 15 points from aces at this World Championship, more than any other player

Source: http://www.fivb.org