Brazil meet Russia for first time since Rio 2016

Lausanne, Switzerland, September 2, 2017 - Defending champions Brazil and Russia open procedings at the 2017 FIVB Women's Grand Champions Cup on Tuesday in Tokyo. Brazil are on a roll after winning this year's FIVB World Grand Prix and will be looking at starting off on the right foot in their quest for their third gold medal in the history of the Grand Champions Cup. This is the first meeting of the two sides since Brazil beat Russia in straight sets at the Maracanazinho for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

Head-to-Head
• This will be the fourth encounter between Russia and Brazil at the World Grand Champions Cup. Russia won the first two and Brazil the most recent one (2013).
• The first two encounters between these teams in the World Grand Champions Cup were both five setters.
• The most recent encounter between these teams at world level came at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, when Brazil won in straight sets.
• This is a replay of the 2010 World Championship final in which Russia prevailed after five sets.

Russia
• Russia will participate for the fifth time at the World Grand Champions Cup. Their last participation was the last edition in 2013 in which they finished fourth.
• Russia won the tournament in 1997, winning all five matches.
• Their unbeaten winning campaign in 1997 is the only edition in which Russia won their opening match.

Brazil
• Brazil will participate for the sixth time, only missing the inaugural edition in 1993.
• Brazil are the only country to win this tournament multiple times as they were victorious in both 2005 and 2013, without losing a match.
• Their four top-three finishes (G2-S1-B1) are also most in the competition.
• Brazil's only defeat in their last 15 matches at the World Grand Champions Cup came in straight sets against Italy in 2009. Italy went on to win the title.
• Fabiana Claudino became the Most Valuable Player in the 2013 World Grand Champions Cup.