I am not that surprised with today's USA success (see my predictions 
). This China is not that team from last OG. Their handicap is their homeland now. I don't think they can handle a real good game by Brazil or Italy in next rounds.
This results is bad for Poland, althoug we still have chances. However, they are rather small. But you have, what you wish 
The Olympic Games in Beijing - Elimination Round
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Today is a very important match for Russia. We need to win convincingly, both to boost our confidence, and to show everyone else we are not dead. Also, I would like to see how much we improved, if any at all.
By the way, what made Sheshenina realize that? Our 3x0 victory against Algeria?
This Cuban team is amazing. They spent the last 4 years as the underdog, considered the 5th-6th force in the world, with no results worthy of mentioning, but as soon as they get into the OG, they are suddenly serious contender for the gold medal. I still think that Cuba is the team to beat Brazil in a semi or a final, the Brazilians would shit their pants once the "chikas" started to scream at them. Haha.
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USA defeats CHINA - (3-2)
23 - 25
25 - 22
23 - 25
25 - 20
15 - 11Well, a big surprise for me knowing that they were playing sh!t in the last few matches (losing a set to venezuela..
) 
That's for me the biggest surprise in the tournament so far. I think it means that Poland is out almost sure now.
Nope, Poland is not yet out. They just have to defeat the US by 3-0 and they can kick the Japs out of the quarters. Go Polska!
----------------The win of USA over China made the competition a little bit exciting for me. China will now face either Italy/Brazil...
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Display MoreWell, a big surprise for me knowing that they were playing sh!t in the last few matches (losing a set to venezuela..
) Nope, Poland is not yet out. They just have to defeat the US by 3-0 and they can kick the Japs out of the quarters. Go Polska!
----------------The win of USA over China made the competition a little bit exciting for me. China will now face either Italy/Brazil...
The QF matchups are not yet set. They will draw lots.
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I have a doubt as regards the drawing of lots for the quarterfinals. Is it possible for the 2nd ranked team of pool A meet the 2nd ranked team of pool B in the quarterfinals? Is it posisble for the 3rd ranked teams in the preliminary round face each other already in the quarterfinals?
I see no point in fininshing second if the 3rd ranked team of one pool faces the 3rd ranked team of the other pool.
I thought the drawing of lots would be among the two 3rd ranked teams, to decide which 3rd ranked team would face each 2nd ranked team. if this were the case the chances of the drawing of lots be exactly the same of the regular definition of the quarterfinals (without lots being drawn) is 50%.
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yeah celso. you got it. its pointless really. Im scared for the US if that situation is really true. Then they have to face either Italy/Brazil which is really scary
The win over China may just be useless. -
congrats to usa for a very good match.
almost none of us saw this coming. i was almost sure that poland would beat USA because of the form that they were exhibiting in the first matches where they were almost not digging anything and their passing was bad too. i thought poland would steal a spot in the QFs by beating USA because USA would be beaten by china for sure. anyways, i've aways been a fan of danielle scott. i think she's keeping the team alive. haneef is no longer that reliable while tom is on/off. i don't think china played badly, jenny lang ping just used the right tactics.
39 points in the prediction game.
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Nope, Poland is not yet out. They just have to defeat the US by 3-0 and they can kick the Japs out of the quarters. Go Polska!
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You wish Poles win as an American
Are you not American? -
I think Brazil and Cuba are the best now, and they will most likely win their respective pools.
About Serbia, they really miss Anja Spasojevic. I hope the coach is going to understand this matter of fact. She has charisma and that helps a lot. Plus she is a good attacker and server. But I don't think she is going to help very much in reception. I don't know who is better, Nikolic, Spasojevic or Djerisilo? In fact all three play better when they do not have to receive.
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I've just talked to a friend from Australia and he said that the polish girls are kinda popular over there now. (and he is not even interested in to volleyball generally)
i "guess" it has to do something with the kinda tight pantsDamn i wish they will advance to the finals, i want to see them a bit longer......
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Today is a very important match for Russia. We need to win convincingly, both to boost our confidence, and to show everyone else we are not dead. Also, I would like to see how much we improved, if any at all.
By the way, what made Sheshenina realize that? Our 3x0 victory against Algeria?
This Cuban team is amazing. They spent the last 4 years as the underdog, considered the 5th-6th force in the world, with no results worthy of mentioning, but as soon as they get into the OG, they are suddenly serious contender for the gold medal. I still think that Cuba is the team to beat Brazil in a semi or a final, the Brazilians would shit their pants once the "chikas" started to scream at them. Haha.
I hope they shit their pants the same way they did against Russia these OG, not like the Russian players did against Cuba in the final match of the Sydney Olympic Games.
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I've just talked to a friend from Australia and he said that the polish girls are kinda popular over there now. (and he is not even interested in to volleyball generally)
i "guess" it has to do something with the kinda tight pants
Venezuela has definitely the sweetest panties But panties aren't everything - more important is who is wearing it -
It's a pity I can't really follow this OG's games
All of the matches are in the middle of the night, so either I sleep or watch games (if I didn't have classes, I'd happily choose the second one 
)...
I only saw like 4 or 5 matches, but I also feel the "disappointment" about quality of the games. Given the teams that are competing, I expected better matches, in fact the only team that seems to be playing on their usual level is Brazil... in fact they are playing a lot. I'm disappointed with Poland, I was sure they could reach at least quarters...I don't think any of the teams are doing this on purpose, because if you want a medal you have to beat whatever team you have to play against... Russia, USA, China, Serbia... they are just surprising me with lack of quality. And to be honest, I expected much more from Cuba and Italy itself. Cuba is just ok, but Italy, well, I'm not sure if they are either good or just didn't have an opponent with real quality to beat.
I'm looking forward to see Italy x Brazil tonight because I still have hope of seeing at least one high-level game in this classificatory phase...
I didn't really follow all matches, but is there ANY possibility that Poland goes to quarters (if Japan loses and they win?) I wanted so much to see them!!
BTW, tight panties can make any team/sport very popular all over the world hahaha but if I was an athlete I'd hate to use that!! -
About Serbia, they really miss Anja Spasojevic. I hope the coach is going to understand this matter of fact. She has charisma and that helps a lot. Plus she is a good attacker and server. But I don't think she is going to help very much in reception. I don't know who is better, Nikolic, Spasojevic or Djerisilo? In fact all three play better when they do not have to receive.Terzic says that the team is lacking spirit and motivation now, he's very disappointed and pessimistic about the Serbian chances at the rest of the tournament. Djerisilo claims that everybody (including the coaching staff and media) is putting too much pressure on them and they are not coping with it well.
Apparently Ognjenovic and Nikolic stayed in the gym for half an hour after the match with Italy and had a private conversation.Maybe I'm paranoid, but it seems to me something is seriously wrong inside and withing the team.
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I didn't really follow all matches, but is there ANY possibility that Poland goes to quarters (if Japan loses and they win?) I wanted so much to see them!!
Yes, if we beat USA and Japan losts, ratio will be decisive factor. But I don't think both things happen... -
Terzic says that the team is lacking spirit and motivation now, he's very disappointed and pessimistic about the Serbian chances at the rest of the tournament. Djerisilo claims that everybody (including the coaching staff and media) is putting too much pressure on them and they are not coping with it well.
Apparently Ognjenovic and Nikolic stayed in the gym for half an hour after the match with Italy and had a private conversation.Maybe I'm paranoid, but it seems to me something is seriously wrong inside and withing the team.
Well, Joana, I think there's something wrong indeed with the Serbian team in terma of relationship among the players. If this were not the case, I am pretty sure Spasojevic would be playing these OG. She's my preferred player from the Serbian team, my second one is Maja Ognjenovic. I believe the problem that made Anja leave the team was not completely solved and that's why the Serbian team is not playing as well as they should or could.
Although they lost both to Brazil and Italy in straight sets, I believe they can play a good match against Russia and even beat them. I believe this match will be very disputed, since both teams want to win to avoid facing Cuba already in the quarterfinals.
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I hope they shit their pants the same way they did against Russia these OG, not like the Russian players did against Cuba in the final match of the Sydney Olympic Games.
Russia didn't shit it's pants. Cuba was just the better team. By the way, Brazilian girls never shit their pants in group matches, so don't feel so safe.
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Russia didn't shit it's pants. Cuba was just the better team. By the way, Brazilian girls never shit their pants in group matches, so don't feel so safe.
Hummm.... interesting.... it seems your team will face a better team already in the quarterfinals in Beijing.
Too bad Cuba, Italy or China will have to do the work Russia proved they can't do against Brazil. -
I hope they shit their pants the same way they did against Russia these OG, not like the Russian players did against Cuba in the final match of the Sydney Olympic Games.
Fearless Forecast:
Gold Medal Match: Brazil vs Cuba 3-2
Bronze Medal Match: Italy vs USA 3-2Brazil & Cuba are scary right now! Fofao is the best setter right now. Fabiana/Walewska/Mari/Sheilla/Calderon/Ruiz are all scary in all aspects. The only difference is FOFAO
And Mari isnt playing in the best of her abilities yet. Just like in the WGP2008, Mari was more utilized in the Final stages of WGP2008. Russia & China really upset, they arent playing well. I thought China might have the homecourt advantage just like in WGP2008 but Italy/Cuba/Brazil/USA played better than them. Applaud those 4 teams for being brave playing in Beijing. So no homecourt advantage just like in men's basketball huh?