Lausanne, Switzerland, July 21, 2017 - Croatia host Bulgaria Saturday in Varazdin in what is the third time the two sides come head-to-head in the history of the FIVB World Grand Prix. Bulgaria have beaten Croatia on both previous occasions, in 2014 and 2015 - but Croatia did beat Bulgaria in five sets last time the two met, at the 2015 European Championship.
Head-to-Head• Croatia and Bulgaria have met twice at the World Grand Prix. Bulgaria won both encounters.
• In 2014, Bulgaria won 3-1 and in 2015 they needed five sets to clinch the victory.
• Their last encounter came at the European Championship in 2015 when Croatia won in five sets in the group stage.
• The last time this encounter ended in straight sets was at the 2012 Olympic Qualification Tournament when Bulgaria won 3-0.
Croatia• Croatia have won only one of their seven 2017 World Grand Prix matches, a five-set victory against Argentina in their second fixture.
• That is Croatia's only victory in a World Grand Prix five-setter (L2).
• Croatia could equal their longest World Grand Prix losing streak, when they lost all six matches in the 2015 tournament. That run included a five-set loss against Bulgaria.
• Croatia have lost all nine World Grand Prix matches against CEV opposition.
Bulgaria• Bulgaria have lost four of their seven 2017 World Grand Prix fixtures. They had never previously lost more than three matches in a single World Grand Prix campaign.
• Of Bulgaria's four defeats in the 2017 World Grand Prix, three have been in a deciding set (also 3-1 versus Puerto Rico).
• Bulgaria could lose three consecutive World Grand Prix matches for the first time.