Russian NT 2015

Kosheleva got back-to-back MVP award (2013) she must be very proud of herself after achieveing such feat. Pity Goncha didn't get an award (she was best scorer of the gold medal match), but she was not THAT great if you look at the whole tournament. This Kosha-Goncha duo reminds me very much of Sokolova-Gamova circa 2004. In my opinion, Gamova can still be in Rio as backup double sub with Startseva (Malykh can give way in Rio) and Sokolova can be defensive OH(replacing either Pasynkova or Ilchenko) as Oylmpic roster AFAIK only allows 12 players, so reastically there is only one OH slot left after Kosheleva and Scherban. The middles are also more promising compared to London. Fetisova is a monster blocker and she is already trying to develop her middle attacks. Zaryazkho is back to her pre-injury 2013 form. The last slot can either be Morozova or Shlyakhovaya.

Quote from inc0gnito

Kosheleva got back-to-back MVP award (2013) she must be very proud of herself after achieveing such feat. Pity Goncha didn't get an award (she was best scorer of the gold medal match), but she was not THAT great if you look at the whole tournament. This Kosha-Goncha duo reminds me very much of Sokolova-Gamova circa 2004. In my opinion, Gamova can still be in Rio as backup double sub with Startseva (Malykh can give way in Rio) and Sokolova can be defensive OH(replacing either Pasynkova or Ilchenko) as Oylmpic roster AFAIK only allows 12 players, so reastically there is only one OH slot left after Kosheleva and Scherban. The middles are also more promising compared to London. Fetisova is a monster blocker and she is already trying to develop her middle attacks. Zaryazkho is back to her pre-injury 2013 form. The last slot can either be Morozova or Shlyakhovaya.

I think they need to find another good libero to help Malova too

Sokolova defensive OH? um no. Let's retire Sokolova from NT please. Her form has dipped for a while now.

After ECH, my Rússia team for Olympic Qualification:

S - Kosianenko - Startseva

MB - Fetisova - Morozova - Shylyakhovaya - Zaryazhko

OH - Kosheleva - Scherban - Sokolova - Kutiukova - Ilchenko - (OUT Pasynkova)

OP - Ombochaeva - Gamova - (OUT Malykh)

L - Kryuchkova - Malova

Option 1

Startseva - Gamova
Sokolova - Kosheleva
Zaryazhko - Morozova
Malova

Option 2

Kosianenko - Obmochaeva
Sokolova - Kosheleva
Fetisova - Shylyakhovaya
Malova

(Startseva have a better game with Gamova and Kosianenko have a better game with Obmochaeva.)

Please people, when in the last 5 years has Sokolova shown ANYTHING that justifies a nomination for NT??? It's like calling Maurizia Cacciatori back to ITA NT or Danielle Scott back to USA NT or Feng Kun back to CHN NT...

I can't believe that you want Gamova instead of Obmochaeva ??

Come one, how can you want Sokolova and Gamova in NT ??..I want new faces in Russia, this Russian is doing very good job without Gamova and Sokolova

Scherban and Kutikova will be just fin for second OH

I believe Obmochaeva is living its best moment in his career, but it is not decisive as Gamova. In the Russian league games, Kazan always wins Moscow, because in important games, Obmochaeva does and Gamova. I believe that the atmosphere of the Olympic Games is different from all competitions. Olympiad is Olympiad.

Ombochaeva can play some games in the first team, but in the decisive phase, I would choose Gamova, for all his experience.

After 2016, Obmochaeva, Kosheleva and Scherban would be the main. But speaking in this case of Olympic Games, the Sokolova and Gamova experience can still be important. Because Russian girls were not able to get rankings in the World Cup in important moments they make mistakes that can not commit.

Sokolova has won every competition they participated, and she is not a woman of 20 years old. She has given interviews saying it is preparing your body and your health to his last chance to win a gold medal in 2016.

I remember that in 2011, she did not have its best and many people said that it should not be in the NT, and when he arrived in London, made 30 points against Brazil, with a great welcome and a strong attack.

Sokolova know how to play the important hours. The same is true of Gamova, will be his last chance, I believe she will prepare the best level

Gamova is more decisive yes, but she should be a backup for Obmochaeva. After everything Obmochaeva has done, she deserves her starting role. Sokolova has been bad for a while, and if you think she will magically improve for Olympics, then you haven't been watching her games recently. She would be more of a liability. Enough of bringing the old generation. I do agree with bringing experience but some of the others also have a lot of experience, and only if the experienced ones still play at a high level.

This is a new generation and they have been playing together for a while and building a comrade. What Russia needs to do is diversify their game, Kosienko is too obvious at times with her setting, if they can switch things up and use the middle a lot more!, things won't be as telegraphed and teams would have a harder time against them. They also need to continue working on their reception, that is a big problem, as Kosienko can't at times do anything but give it to Kosheleva or Obmochaeva because of where she gets the ball. Defense is getting better.

Quote from Matthias

Please people, when in the last 5 years has Sokolova shown ANYTHING that justifies a nomination for NT??? It's like calling Maurizia Cacciatori back to ITA NT or Danielle Scott back to USA NT or Feng Kun back to CHN NT...

In the quarterfinal match in London 2012 she was really great. That she is - in the most important match she showed all her experience.

Of course it's hard to say if she would repeat it in Rio.

Sokolova gave an interview recently saying that she knows her body no longer has 20 years of age and who have to take care of your health, just as it did in 2011, arriving in London very well. Olympic Rio games in 2016 will be the last chance to represent his country in Russia, she is preparing her body, and I said with Marichev that if the team did not have to qualify for the World Cup in January it would join team for the Olympic qualifier.

Olympiad is not the same as Grand Prix, World Championship and the Champions League, the atmosphere is different, there is a lot of pressure. And pressure moments, I still do not trust Ombochaeva. I trust in times of pressure and Gamova and Sokolova can do better. Just look on YouTube, in games played, there are times to win the match, and Obmochaeva not. Gamova and Sokolova do.

Have you guys been watching Sokolova in the pass 2-3 years?? Her game really went down she cant even be defense specialist. Ilchenko, pasynkova and kutyukova is way better than her at thispoint. Yes Gamova could be a good back up for Goncha. Kosianenko, goncha, malova, koshe, scherban, fetisova and zarycho i believe are garanteed the olympic spot.

Gamova, yes. Sokolova, no. I think Gamova still have what it takes to be a dominant player. I'm just not sure if she'll accept to be Goncharova's backup. The Opp, OH, and setter positions are pretty much determined. It's the MB position that will be the hardest to decide given that there's a growing number of good MBs in Russia since Marichev's era. If only the olympic roster could be widened to 14 players! Speaking of, why is the roster limited to 12? I know this must have been raised many times before but I'm still clueless why.

Olympic rules, the IOC doesn't like to have too many athletes at the games so... it's one of the main reasons why we won't be seeing the volleyball tournament expanded to 16 teams for a long time.

Seems Marichev is not too keen in taking Gamova back if we read between the lines from this interview:

“Of course, before the Olympics, we will consider the possibility
of Gamova's return. I'm very grateful to her, because she was with us
in the last season. We have included her in the wide list for the World
Cup. I just have to say that we have powerful attack with Kosheleva and
Obmochave. Also, there is Irina Zaryazhko” says Marichev.

For those saying it is not wise to take Gamova back, do you honestly think Malykh can do a better job than her? I don't think so. Someone already stated here the Olympics is a different league on its own, and i agree with that. We all know this is the only Gold that has so far eluded Gamova until now, and if we only base it on sheer motivation, no question she has that. The big question if Gamova's ego can take being back up OPP to Obmochaeva. The worst thing to happen is, if indeed Marichev will invite Gamova back to NT for Rio, and she will be main opp of the team, with Startseva as starter (no pun intended), but highly unlikely after their failed experiment at last year's WCH.

"Also, there is Irina Zaryazhko"

Wow, finally he realised it

Fortunately he did it with Irina Russian game is more balanced and there's no hole in the middle as it was with Orlova

Quote

For those saying it is not wise to take Gamova back, do you honestly
think Malykh can do a better job than her? I don't think so.

No one is saying Gamova shouldn't come back. We are saying Sokolova at this moment will not be helpful so no reason for her to be back. She has not been playing at a high level for a while now. She would have to be really great in this season for me to think she should be on the extended list.

IMHO Sokolova's time came to an end and she won't play in NT anymore Gamova can be back because of Olympic Games, but Obmochaeva in good shape with Kosheleva and Zaryazhko give team much power

The Olympics has a very large and very emotionally charged. We have seen strong teams and great players, reaching the Olympic Games and the game changed completely.

In London in 2012, the US team played very well during all the previous years, and during all games. They reached the final against Brazil and did not play well, felt the pressure. Larson, Hooker, Akinradewo, were facing their first experience in Olympic Games, and the pressure fell on them.

Because of this, I believe it is VERY IMPORTANT to the presence of Sokolova and Gamova in 2016, because there are times when the experience makes all the difference, not to despair and play the game. No matter how good, Obmochaeva, Zaryazkho, Kosianenko, Fetisova, Scherban ... are the first time in the Olympics, and it makes a lot of difference in times to close the game.

Sokolova can attack the game 24x24 and make the point safely.

or can fail in reception in the set point for opponent