Lausanne, Switzerland, July 3, 2017 - Brazil embark on the defence of their title when they take on Belgium Friday in Ankara on the opening day of the 2017 FIVB World Grand Prix. It's the sixth time the two sides come head-to-head in the history of the competition and the South Americans have yet to lose to the Europeans.
Head-to-Head• Brazil are unbeaten in their World Grand Prix matches against Belgium.
• Brazil have lost only two sets in the previous five World Grand Prix meetings with Belgium.
• Brazil won in straight sets in 2014 (Final Round) and in both of their group matches in 2015.
• Last year, Brazil won both of their group matches against Belgium by a 3-1 scoreline.
Belgium• Belgium will participate in the World Grand Prix for the fourth time after appearing in each of the last three.
• Their best result came in their debut year, a sixth place in 2014. They finished 10th in 2015 and 11th last year.
• Nine of Belgium's 11 World Grand Prix victories came away from home, including two in Ankara.
• Belgium have lost 23 matches in their three appearances (2014-2016), as many as Brazil have managed since 2003.
Brazil• Defending champions Brazil have appeared in 23 of the previous 24 editions of the World Grand Prix, with the exception of 1997. Only China and Japan have participated in more (24).
• Brazil have won the competition a record 11 times, at least five times more than any other country.
• The last time Brazil failed to finish on the podium was in 2007, when they claimed a fifth place. Since then they won the competition five times, finished second three times and claimed one third place.
• Brazil won the gold medal at the Olympic Games of 2008 and 2012, but finished only fifth in Rio de Janeiro last year.
• Natalia Pereira was named last year's most valuable player at the World Grand Prix.