Head-to-head
· United States just hold the edge in World League meetings with France: eight wins to seven.
· They most recently met in 2013 (twice), when United States won both matches (3-0 and 3-2) in Tulsa (USA).
· France's last win over United States came back in the 2012 Intercontinental Rounds, 3-2.
· They have met once before in the World League Final Round. In 2007, United States won 3-0.
· Five of their previous 15 matches at the World League went to a fifth set. On four occasions, the five-setter was won by France.
· For both countries this was their first ever World League fixture. In 1990, France defeated USA twice 3-2 in the opening weekend.
United States· The United States' title defence hinges on this match. They will be certain of the Final Four with a straight sets victory against France.
· However, a 3-2 win or any defeat means they will lose their crown. In case of a 3-1 Team USA victory, points ratio will determine which two teams emerge from Pool I.
· Apart from last year, the US have won the World League in one other season. In 2008, they emerged victorious and also went on to win a gold medal at the Olympic Games that year.
· The US started their 2015 WL campaign with six straight wins, but have lost four of their next seven in the competition.
· They are aiming to become the first team to retain the World League since Brazil did it in 2009-2010.
France· France will reach the Final Four with a win or a 3-2 defeat. A 3-1 defeat might even be enough, but it would depend on the points ratio of each team in Pool I.
· France have won their last 15 matches, the longest running streak of the six teams in this year's final round.
· Only one team has won the World League remaining unbeaten in all their matches – Brazil in 2004.
· They have lost the opening set in three of their last six matches.
· France's set loss in their 3-1 win against Brazil was the 500th set they conceded in their World League history.
· France's top scorer Antonin Rouzier is one point shy of scoring 200 points in the WL this season.