Tokyo, Japan, May 25, 2016 - On the first competition day of the FIVB Volleyball Men's World Olympic Qualification Tournament in Japan, Poland are set to meet Canada, the country they associate with the best achievement in their history - Olympic gold from Montreal 1976.
Head-to-head
• The last time Poland and Canada met at a world-level tournament was the World Cup in 2015 when Poland won 3-1.
• In 2012, they met four times at the World League with Poland winning three of these in straight sets and the other one by 3-1.
• These teams met once at the Olympic Games. In 1976, Poland won in straight sets in the group stage against hosts Canada. Poland eventually won gold while Canada finished ninth and last.
Poland
• Poland were crowned Olympic champions once. They won all six matches at the 1976 Montreal Olympic Games.
• Poland have participated eight times in the Olympic Games, only Brazil (13), United States (10) and Italy (10) have been present at more.
• They finished in fifth place at the last three Olympic Games (2004, 2008, 2012).
• Poland have qualified for the Olympic Games through the World Olympic Qualification tournaments of 1996, 2004 and 2008, winning each of their matches.
• In 2012, they qualified for the Olympic Games with a second place at the 2011 World Cup.
• They have not lost any set in their last four World Olympic Qualification matches. They won in straight sets against Kazakhstan, Puerto Rico, Indonesia and Portugal.
Canada
• Canada have participated three times at the Olympic Games (1976 (hosts), 1984 and 1992). Their best result came in 1984 when they finished fourth.
• They qualified for the 1984 and 1992 Olympic Games as the NORCECA champions.
• Canada are present at the World Olympic Qualification tournament for the first time since 2004 (Tokyo).
• Canada won four and lost three in their last participation. They finished fourth in the ranking behind France, Australia and China, failing to qualify.