Sofia, Bulgaria, September 21, 2018 – Bulgaria will face the challenge of Iran and will try to earn their 100th win in the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship on Friday.
Head-to-Head
• Bulgaria and Iran meet for the fourth time at the World Championship. Bulgaria won 3-0 in 1970 and 2006, while Iran won 3-1 earlier this tournament on 13 September.
• The only other two meetings in a world level major tournament were won by Iran, 3-1 at the 2016 World League and 3-1 at this year's Nations League.
• World level major tournaments are Nations League, Olympic Games, World Championship, World Cup, World League and Grand Champions Cup.
Bulgaria
• Co-hosts Bulgaria have won three matches and lost two at the 2018 World Championship so far.
• They could already surpass their number of victories at the 2014 World Championship (3).
• Bulgaria could win their 100 World Championship match. They have won 99 and lost 58 so far.
• Bulgaria have won five of their last seven home matches in world level major tournaments.
Iran
• Iran have won four of their five matches so far, only losing against 2014 champions Poland.
• The only World Championship they won more than four matches was four years ago, when they ended up on seven victories.
• Iran have won 16 of their last 18 matches in all competitions, only losing 3-2 against Qatar at the 2018 Asian Cup final and 3-0 against Poland at these World Championships.