Head-to-Head
Brazil and Iran have met five times in the World League, all in the 2014 edition.
Iran won three of those matches, including the only encounter in the final group round (3-1), versus two wins for Brazil. Both teams reached the Final Four in 2014, with Brazil finishing second after losing the final against United States (3-1) and Iran finishing fourth after losing the third place match against Italy (3-0).
These teams also met twice at the World Cup (1991, 2011) and twice at the Grand Champions Cup (2009, 2013). Brazil won all four of these matches.
Brazil
Brazil are one of two to have competed in each of the previous 26 editions of the World League, alongside Italy.
Brazil have won the tournament a record nine times, most recently in 2010.
Only between 1994 and 2000 they had a longer streak without winning the World League (7 participations), than their five participations since 2010.
Last year, Brazil reached the final group stage in Group 1, but failed to reach the Final Four. They finished in joint fifth place.
Brazil have won only one of their last three World League matches in Brazil, beating United States in their last World League match of 2015 (3-1).
Brazil have the highest win percentage of all teams playing in the World League (77%, won 323 of 419).
Iran
Iran will participate in the World League for the fourth time, after finishing ninth at their debut in 2013, fourth in 2014 and seventh in 2015.
In 2014, Iran reached the Final Four, but lost their semifinal against United States (3-0) and their third place match against Italy (3-0).
Last year, Iran failed to reach the final group stage after finishing third in pool B of Group 1 behind United States and Poland.
Four of Iran's last five victories in the World League came in straight sets. The exception in this run was the 3-2 win over United States.
By Tehran Times
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