The Olympic Games in Beijing - Elimination Round

Quote from Nastja

I would advise Bonitta to take Dziekiewicz well ok, its not her position but who cares

Dziękiewicz's reception is quite good. I suppose she plays better in receiving than Podolec But...Anna must go to Beijing. She is very important player of our team

I hope this Podolec's case is not true. Team needs her. It would be a big lost, if she couldn't play. Her play is something dissapointed, if we consider her great skills, but when she is in the top form

That would be really sad if Podolec couldn't play in Pejiing Does anybody knows who would take her place if it comes true ???

I'm a little bit scared that Polish NT won't be really god at Olympic Games because there are so many troubels now and a lot of health problems...

Quote from Zwergvogel

That would be really sad if Podolec couldn't play in Pejiing Does anybody knows who would take her place if it comes true ???

I'm a little bit scared that Polish NT won't be really god at Olympic Games because there are so many troubels now and a lot of health problems...

I hope Podolec's ok (anyway, she played in Russia, didn't she?), but I don't think it's just an excuse to make the team performance go up or go down After all, they are a team...

Podolec has still serious problems with her shoulder. Polish team awaits some medical tests results and than Bonitta is to decide if it is necessary to replace Podolec and call out some another player... I have bad feellings...

Italy:

Setters: Lo Bianco, Ferretti

Opposites: Aguero, Centoni

OH: Piccinini, Secolo, Ortolani, Croce (L)

MB: Gioli, Barazza, Guiggi

L: Cardullo

Quote from Nastja

its weird that Italy´s roster always looks less dangerous on paper than on court.
The team is beatable for sure. It lost a strong attacker with Del Core and Barazza cant be in her topform yet...
I just cant wait for the Olympics to begin, im tired of predicting and analyzing possibilities, its time to see the reality

as you can see i added some smileys to the board, extra for the olymics

i like the smileys!

I have to agree with you Nastja. Italy's roster seemed not that dangerous but Im sure they will still be formidable and so is Russia. The Olympic games will be very unpredictable and whoever comes closest with luck will win..remember the US in 2004. They were world number 1 coming to the OG but ended up 5th in the games..So i expect a completely unpredictable OG. Whoever wins, they will deserve it.

oh...Anzanello once again stays at home Maybe in 2012 she will have more luck...

that's what i like about team italy. it's not the individual skills of the players that wins there matches. but they're teamwork and tactics.

i'll use the olympic smiley too, just for the heck of using it.

also, i feel sorry for anzanello and del core. both of them worked so hard for the team and now they would not be included in the lineup.

i haven't seen centoni play in A international competitions; the last time i saw her is with Cannes and in Abu Dhabi.

Italy:

Palleggiatrici: Eleonora Lo Bianco, Francesca Ferretti

Opposte: Serena Ortolani, Nadia Centoni

Centrali: Jenny Barazza, Simona Gioli, Martina Guiggi

Schiacciatrici: Taismary Aguero, Francesca Piccinini, Manuela Secolo

Libero: Paola Cardullo, Paola Croce

http://www.volleyball.it/leggi.cfm?art=37266

yes I know but I guess there is a mistake because Italy web site wrote Aguero is Schiacciatrici and Ortolani is Opposite

Mattihas:

Opposites: Aguero, Centoni

OH: Piccinini, Secolo, Ortolani, Croce (L)

i actually like it better when aguero plays as an OH. her reception is really good. but i think her back row attacks are better than ortolani too

I've already said it ten thousand times but I'll say it again: I'm SAD Del Core won't be at the Olympics. And I'm sad for Anzanello, too. But I'm sure her moment will come.
As for the team in general, I'm really happy with it. It's the strongest team we've ever had. I like Centoni, I think she can be good for the team. I hope Barazza and Aguero will recover and be at their top condition in time for the beginning of the OG. Or at least, in time for the most important matches.
And, last but not least, let me use the new smiley: .

up to now, i still do not know what happened to del core.

and i will use the olympic smiley again.

even though i want italy to win; i voted for brazil.

http://www.nbcolympics.com/cou…tos/galleryid=151488.html

LINK TO THE OFFICIAL OUTFITTING OF TEAM USA (by Polo Ralph Lauren...suprising!)