Lausanne, Switzerland, July 23, 2017 - Canada host the Czech Republic Sunday in Richmond, but they've never before beaten their European opponents in the history of the FIVB World Grand Prix. The two teams met twice before, with the Czechs dominating the North Americans in straight sets on both occasions in 2016. The Czech Republic, on a 6-2 record so far this season have qualified to the Group 2 Final Four which they will be hosting next week in Ostrava. Canada, on 3-5, are out of contention.
Head-to-Head• Canada have lost all three matches against Czech Republic at the World Grand Prix.
• Czech Republic have won the first two encounters in straight sets, both in 2016.
• In the second week of the 2017 World Grand Prix, Czech Republic prevailed in five-sets after trailing 2-1.
Canada• Canada beat Peru 3-1 on Saturday to improve their 2017 tournament record to three wins and five defeats.
• Three wins in a single World Grand Prix season is a new record for Canada. They had two wins in 2014 and 2015.
• Canada's win ended a four-match losing streak in the World Grand Prix.
• Canada could now win back-to-back World Grand Prix matches for the first time in team history.
• Kyla Richey led the way for Canada against Peru, scoring a match-high 22 points.
Czech Republic• Czech Republic suffered a straight sets defeat against Germany on Saturday, but still have a record of six wins and two defeats in the 2017 World Grand Prix.
• Only in 2014 (7 wins) Czech Republic recorded more World Grand Prix wins in a single season than the six they have now.
• Czech Republic could lose back-to-back World Grand Prix matches for the first time since the last two matches in the 2016 season.
• Michaela Mlejnkova delivered again against Germany, as Czech Republic’s tournament top scorer scored a team-leading 13 points.