2017 FIVB VOLLEYBALL WORLD GRAND PRIX – GROUP 1
- Group 1, Pool B1
- July 7th – August 6th
- Kunshan, China
- FIVB World Grand Prix Round 1
- Schedule/Results
USA and Russia highlight the first day of action at the 2017 FIVB Volleyball World Grand Prix. The game is a rematch of the 2016 World Grand Prix semifinal round, when the U.S. defeated Russia.
After taking down the Russian side, the United States finished as the runner-up to Brazil at the 2016 World Grand Prix. That led into the Olympics, where the U.S. Women’s National Team won the bronze medal. In total, the U.S. have won this event six times in the 24-year history, trailing only Brazil’s 11 titles. They most recently came out on top in 2015.
Russia finished fourth at the 2016 tournament as the United States sent them to the third-place match where they lost to Netherlands. The loss kept the Russians from the podium, where they’ve been 13 times, more than any team besides Brazil (18). It also ended the tournament on a negative note after they had been so dominate in pool play by going 8-1. In total, Russia has won the World Grand Prix three times, with the last coming in 2002.
The head-to-head series is as even as it gets, with the United States ahead 13-12 in World Grand Prix competition due to the last meeting. That prior matchup was in Bangkok and was a three-set victory for USA.
Watch the full live video below:
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