Lausanne, Switzerland, July 4, 2017 - Both France and Venezuela are making their FIVB World Grand Prix debut this season, as they come head-to-head Friday in Yaounde in their very first encounter in any official competition.
Head-to-Head• France and Venezuela will meet for the first time at any major competition.
• France will face South American opposition at a major tournament for the first time since the 1956 World Championship, when they lost 3-1 against Brazil.
• For Venezuela, this is the first meeting with European opponents since the 2008 Olympic Games when they lost in straight sets versus Poland.
France• This will be France's first participation in the World Grand Prix.
• The last time they participated at a world level tournament was at the 1974 World Championship, when they finished in 20th place.
• The last time France competed at a major tournament was at the 2013 European Championship, where they finished in eighth place.
Venezuela• Venezuela also make their debut at the World Grand Prix.
• They are the fifth South American team to participate in the tournament, after Brazil, Argentina, Peru and Colombia.
• Brazil and Colombia won their first WGP match, while Argentina and Colombia were defeated in their first match in the tournament.
• Venezuela will participate at a world level tournament for the first time since the 2008 Olympic Games, when they lost all of their five matches and finished in 11th place.