News

Varna, Bulgaria, September 7, 2018 - Co-hosts Bulgaria will begin their FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship campaign on Sunday against Finland, who will be making their eighth appearance at a World Championship.

Head-to-Head

- This is the fourth time Bulgaria and Finland have met at the World Championships. Each of the previous three were decided in straight sets (two Bulgarian wins, one Finnish victory).
- Finland beat Bulgaria in straight sets in Wroclaw at the 2014 World Championship (second round). It is the most recent match at the tournament for both teams.
- Bulgaria won both of their first two World Championship matches versus Finland in straight sets - 1952 in Moscow and 1966 in Jihlava.
- Bulgaria and Finland played each other four times during the 2008 World League, with two of those matches in Varna - a 3-2 Finnish victory on 12 July and a 3-1 home triumph the following day.
- Bulgaria defeated Finland in straight sets in Varna during the 1981 European Championship.

Bulgaria

- This is Bulgaria's 18th appearance at the World Championship, with 1960 the only tournament they did not take part in. Only Russia (including as Soviet Union) have participated in all 19 editions of the World Championship (including 2018).
- Prior to the beginning of the 2018 tournament, only Russia (174, including as Soviet Union) and Brazil (158) had played more World Championship matches than Bulgaria (152).
- Bulgaria have hosted the World Championship on one previous occasion - 1970. They finished as runners-up to East Germany, the Bulgarians' best performance at the tournament.
- Bulgaria were 13th at the 2014 World Championship, equalling their worst performance at the tournament (also 13th in 2002).
- Bulgaria lost each of their last five matches at the 2014 World Championship (the fifth loss was 3-0 versus Finland). It is their longest losing streak at the tournament.
- Bulgaria have won their opening match at each of the last six editions of the World Championship, since they began the 1990 tournament with a 3-2 defeat against Cuba in Brasília.

Finland

- This is Finland's eighth appearance at the World Championship. Their best performance at the tournament was ninth in 2014.
- Finland's participation at the 2014 World Championship was their first appearance at the tournament in 32 years. Their final match of the 2014 edition was a straight-set victory against Bulgaria.
- Finland finished 20th out of 24 teams when Bulgaria hosted the World Championship in 1970. They won four of their 11 matches at that tournament, with the victories against Israel, Tunisia, Guinea and Venezuela.
- Finland were 17th when Italy hosted the 1978 World Championship. They won four of their nine matches at that tournament.
- This is Finland's first World Championship match against a host nation.

Match Centre:
Bulgaria-Finland at 19.30 local time/17.30 GMT on Sunday, September 9 in Varna

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