I remember people criticizing amd laughed at me when I said that Italian outside hitters are just good as French OHs if not better sans Ngapeth.Guess what?
Well, I still think that Ngapeth is the better among them all and that Antonov, Botto and Randazzo aren't at the level of other French OHs.
On the other hand Lanza is, imho.
And we shouldnt forget Slovenia is missing Cebulkj.
I have to congratulate Slovenians 'cause finally they played the game I expected from them since the revelation two years ago.
Slovenia was one of the team I was more eager to watch in this ECh: for me with Bulgaria, Belgium and Germany (well, I've said it all xD Too easy!) they were the possible 'small' surprises (teams that are not the real favorite, but that can win vs everybody). When I read Cebulj was injured I wasn't that sure about it anymore, and I considered the results of the pool as a proof of it (despite many close sets). Now I'm very happy I have to reconsider my position!
Bienek and Zatorski are only high class players in this Polish team.
What do you think about Kubiack? (I'm just curious, I consider him one of the better OH in this ECh, I love how complete he is and how good in spiking difficult sets)
this result so far may even put russian and bulgarian performances into a new light.
True
Now way Czech could lose the match now.
If I has read this comment in the right moment, I would have wrote that in this ECh 'no way' doesn't exist! xD
Personally i was already at the point to believe that the french team can do whatever they want and put on court whoever they want and still look great.
Me too. I kept and kept saying they were the favorite.. (and I meant it, I love that team games despite Italian/French ancient rivalry :P).
Anyway, they won big time the 'most handsome players' contest. Damn, they will be missed Oh, Clevenot...
Germany better not screw this up
True, what an occasion!
28.05. France - Germany 3:0 (25:22, 25:20, 25:20)
27.08. Germany - Czech Republic 3:0 (25:19, 25:14, 25:20)
30.08. Czech Republic - France 3:1 (25:21, 21:25, 25:20, 25:20)
Yesterday you did a similar example about Italy/Belgium/Turkey and I didn't say nothing because I was afraid to sound partial (and when I sense I'm going to be bit partial about my team I usually chose to shut up or I admit it clearly), but now I can say it
I do think this equations (A beat B that beat C so A is better than C) are quite meaningless in volleyball, as your example prove...
For example, I could have made a similar example like 'in WL Italy beat Iran (incredible, we actually beat someone in that 'wonderful' WL! ) that beat Belgium that beat Turkey', and it would have been meaningless as well... Despite being right today, for once xD
our fans are like bunch of naive believers.
But I do think that's the 'job' of the fans I respect them very much for it!
I guess the blond hair dye was not only bad taste but a bad luck omen
I thought the same!!
Maybe we can slowly talk about Adidas curse in volleyball First Zaytsev ,now Ngapeth . I'm expecting a major downfall from USA
I still stand by opinion Czechs are mediocre team
One swallow does not make a spring
Absolutely true (I would still bet on Germany, absolutely*), but I like to think that the close loss vs Italy was the first swallow
Anyway I'm not saying they're a great team, but they can play decently enough that if you don't play well they may beat you. And I thought the same of Turkey.
*And now that I've said that they will won the ECh xD
Ps: sorry to all, I'm writing too much and I'm not keeping up with the new comments while I'm writing... double guilty!