Head-to-head· Zenit Kazan and Capitanes de Arecibo will meet for the first time at the club world championships.
· Zenit Kazan have met Puerto Rican opposition once in the competition: a 3-0 win over Plataneros de Corozal in 2009, their first ever match in the competition.
· Zenit also won their only other club word championships meeting with a NORCECA side. They beat Trinity Western Spartans Vancouver in straight sets in 2011.
Zenit Kazan· On Wednesday, Zenit won their opener against hosts Sada Cruzeiro 3-1. They can reach the semifinals for the fourth time (on their fourth appearance).
· They will reach the semifinals if they claim one set against Capitanes de Arecibo.
· The reigning European champions are aiming for their first top-two finish, after bronze medals in 2009 and 2011 and a fourth place in 2012.
· Against Zenit, Wilfredo Leon Venero scored a team-high 22 points, including 18 from 22 spike attempts.
Capitanes de Arecibo· Capitanes de Arecibo can qualify for the semifinals if they win 3-0 against Zenit Kazan.
· Capitanes de Arecibo lost 3-0 against hosts Sada Cruzeiro on their club world championships debut on Tuesday.
· Capitanes de Arecibo are the fourth Puerto Rican side to take part in the competition. The last two Puerto Rican teams, Guaynabo Mets in 2014 and Plataneros de Corozal In 2009, both failed to win any of their group stage matches.
· The last NORCECA side to win a club world championships match was Trinity Western Spartans Vancouver from Canada in 2011.
· Captain Héctor Soto claimed a team-high 10 points in their opening match against Cruzeiro (8 spikes, 2 blocks).