The challenge showed that Kosianenko's hair touched the net, but still Russia won the challenge and it is repeated. I have seen this hair-touching-net question being decided the other way many times...
Yeah I have too, The most impressive one was when Kozuch got pissed off by it and tied her hair back once again just in front of the referee 
She and Pasynkova laughed together afterwards.
De Gennaro generally plays better than Sansonna.
I suppose that Sansonna has been choiced for the Ankara tournament more for her leader's spirit than her qualities on court she showed this fall in the national championsip. But an Italian team must have an excellent libero.
Italy got some other good liberos (liberi ?) in the championship but (it's strange) Bonitta ddin't promote one as he did for MBs, OHs, Opp and setters.
Drodzy Rodacy nie smućcie się, coś na pocieszenie:
Wychodzi z łazienki żona i mówi z płaczem: 2 kreski.. a mąż na to: u mnie też słaby zasięg..
Well, I knew about the rule that you can't. For example Guidetti used to take for every tournament 3 liberos when he was a coach of GER and now with NED, simply because he needed defence specialist to come and replace one of the OH or he used. If such a change of libero for every match would be possible then he could use one of MB or OH as libero.
I am 100% sure that it was done in several occasions by the male Italian NT, I think the most recent was during the World League, when in a couple of matches Rossini was used as OH instead of second libero and Mazzone (I think) replaced him.
I find it unfair that Turkey is underestimated after the last Netherlands game. Turkey destroyed Germany the day before and Germany could win over Netherlands. So the level between these teams is not that bad. I don't trust Ferhat at all and find him incapable of reading the game and taking the right decisions during the match. He is a good trainer but not a head coach. However I trust Turkish girls and I know their level is far over what they showed against Netherlands. I honestly won't be surprised if they beat Russia tomorrow or at least put a great fight against them. In fact, Russia is not that hard to beat considering that they receive with only two players, attack with only two players. If Turkish girls can serve well, we know what Kubra does on the net when she knows who will attack. In overall, it will be an interesting game. I hope Ferhat will make smart substitutions, I would start with the same 6 as usual but replace Neriman with Guldeniz in case receiving is bad. Gozde should also be subbed if she plays like last time.
My theory of the Netherlands game is, maybe players were not that motivated, especially Vakifbank players to destroy their Dutch teammates dreams. But I just hope that they are professionals.
My prediction is a Turkish - Dutch final and Turkish victory. If turkey loses 3-2 tomorrow, they might lose again on Sunday with that motivation.
Display MoreBest players so far, at least for me :
Setter : Dijkema
OPP : Slöetjes
OH : Kosheleva-Egonu
MB : Guiggi-Erdem
L : Malova
Any opinions?
Do we *actually* have best player awards for this qualifiers? Obmochaeva has also improved her game since their match against Poland so it's between her and Slöetjes. For MB, De Kruijf has impressed me a lot. Agree with both OH and libero positions. For setter, how about Startseva? 
rather agree
Naz and Orro were quite efficient despite all the problems of their team
I would be controversial and put Startseva as best setter. She did very well out of her team and subbed Kosianenko in the entire tournament although she wasn't a starter. For opposite I would consider Obmachaeva since both she and Sloetjes had up and downs. For MB, my both choices are Turkish, Akman with her blocks made a huge contribution.
Of course, we didn't see a "fighting" Turkish team yesterday against Netherlands.
Even Croatia today vs the Oranje made more points than Turkish team.
...
Russia : yes the starting 7 is impressive but the full roster looks rather weak for this kind of game.
Do we *actually* have best player awards for this competition? Obmochaeva has also improved her game since their match against Poland so it's between her and Slöetjes. For MB, De Kruijf has impressed me a lot. Agree with both OH and libero positions. For setter, how about Startseva?
Zenya is indeed doing a great job but I don't like how she insists on her wings, she always forgets her middles. Fetisova seems to be out of shape and Lyubushkina not so sufficient for this level IMO.
I had a hard time deciding the OPP, Natasha totally deserves it as well 
And no, we don't have best player wards for this competition, at least as far as I know.
Anyway Italy in top 3 would be a miracle 
BU
I am 100% sure that it was done in several occasions by the male Italian NT, I think the most recent was during the World League, when in a couple of matches Rossini was used as OH instead of second libero and Mazzone (I think) replaced him.
But CEV and FIVB regulations are different I think, but whatever. It doesn't matter.
Goncharova was horrendous against Poland, I'm not including her in all star team until I see her performances in the two remaining matches 
Anyway Italy in top 3 would be a miracle
Thank you for being this objective, unfortunately I don't see such posts in this forum 
I have a feeling that Italy won't be that easy against Netherlands. They still have experienced players and a better coach with better tactics than Turkish one. Let's see what Guidetti is planning and how Bonita will respond 
My "Hall of shame" team:
Grbac - Skowronska
Jerkov - Leys
Koolhaas - Polanska
Božičević
LVP: Skowronska
So despite a lot of excitement and more or less unexpected results, we have the four most logical teams in semifinals. Dutch team started pretty bad, if they had played against Germany the way they played the next two matches they would have won 3:0 as well. Turkish team after two strong matches had a lot to think about on their free day after the disaster against the Dutch where they looked like amateurs. And I don't think it was just because they were already qualified for SF, they were just totally outplayed. Not exactly something that gives you confidence for the next matches...
As for the other pool, Russia started the tournament two sets later than everyone else did, but ever since they really play they play well. Surely not their very best, but no team does that with such short preparation. For me they are the main candidate for 1st place unless the Dutch team can deliver another performance like the one against Turkey. Italy surely doesn't have an allstar time like in the past, but still a lot of good players. Bonitta proved all his critics (including me 
) wrong with his player choices. I never would have expected Orro, Danesi and Egonu to perform like this in such a tournament. I think also Diouf deserves her spot on the court, she's certainly not a very skilled player, but she benefits from her height and power and by now has reached at least an acceptable level in the fundamental techniques. Most important, she scores.
From now on it's not so much about winning but more about losing. There will be three winners and one real big loser on Saturday. I can't imagine Russia losing two matches in a row now that they found a decent rhythm. Among the other teams everyone could be the loser, but somehow I hope it is Turkey. I like the Dutch team (though I will stop if they keep this stupid celebrating ), they have the best coach and an outstanding attacker who after a bad start in the tournament now found her best shape. I have to say I also like all the young blood in the Italian team, so far the kids have used their chances well and I hope they continue. Turkey has nothing special for me, at times they play very well, but there just isn't that extra-thing. Plus, almost all their players have already played in London 2012, whereas the other teams have a lot of new hungry players.
My "Hall of shame" team:
Grbac - Skowronska
Jerkov - Leys
Koolhaas - Polanska
Božičević
LVP: Skowronska
I'm used to crovolley hating Grbac, but since I value your posts usually a lot I would really like to hear why you dislike her. I'm surely not a fan of hers but I really don't think she was any worse than the rest of her team. She made some bad choices at times, but all setters do, and in terms of technical fundamentals I thought she was good.
I have a feeling Turkey will win gainst Russia tomorrow. They got a day rest and im sure their fans will be rowdy tomorrow. Goncharova will be the key player for Russia tomorrow. If she beast out even if Kosheleva play poorly Russia will win.
I think Bosetti played worse than Leys, if that's even possible
I'm used to crovolley hating Grbac, but since I value your posts usually a lot I would really like to hear why you dislike her. I'm surely not a fan of hers but I really don't think she was any worse than the rest of her team. She made some bad choices at times, but all setters do, and in terms of technical fundamentals I thought she was good.
I don't really think she did a particularly bad job, actually. In fact, I think setters in general did an OK job at this tournament (even though day 1 was not promising) all things considered, it was hard to pick one for this "honour", so in the end I went with her since I think generally a bit weaker than the others.
OK 
I also think that no setter was really "bad", but if I were to pick the "hall of shame", I would probably choose Ferretti for losing her place in starting six to a 17 year old.