2014 FIVB World Championship - Poland - 8/30

Please forgive my ignorance, but why does this look like a home match for Finland??

Quote from saishuu

Apparently Helsinki is relatively close to Katowice. Brazilian broadcasters have also said that plently of Finns came to watch the volley WCH after Finland was eliminated from the basketball WCH.

What a joke There are around 3000 Finnish fans in Katowice since the first match. Finland always have good support on ECH so this isnt nothing new. There were around 50-80 Finnish fans in Gdynia, 2 years ago on junior ECH. And I'm not talking about family and friends of players

Btw. Mexico

Quote from saishuu

Apparently Helsinki is relatively close to Katowice. Brazilian broadcasters have also said that plently of Finns came to watch the volley WCH after Finland was eliminated from the basketball WCH.

What do you mean by "close"? Katowice is in the south of Poland, so geographically it's nowhere near Helsinki.

I had no idea that volleyball is so popular in Finland that so many people follow the team to WCH

Quote from Matthias

What do you mean by "close"? Katowice is in the south of Poland, so geographically it's nowhere near Helsinki.

I had no idea that volleyball is so popular in Finland that so many people follow the team to WCH

Cheap alcohol in Poland might have persuaded one or another Fin to fly over as well

Anyway, thumps up for both, team and fans, who make this an enjoyable game so far. Unfortunaterly i have to leave now.......

Russia is showing they are nothing without Dima. Mexico playing like USA

I am not watching the game in Gdansk. Is Russia playing with the medicals and the assistant coaches? Or perhaps they are experimenting because the score is not going to count for the second round anyway? I am asking because I can't see the rosters. Great game between Brazil and Finland.

Mexico so far

After 2 service reception errors, Lucarelli fired 2 aces! Love this match. Now he just got another one. Crazy game

3 aces and 1 more point in 4 serves interrupted by 2 time-outs! Lucarelli is just bossing around...

By the way, why isn't Bruno playing? Is it an injury or a tactical decision?

Respect to Finnish fans!!!!! So far the only supporters I have seen where no-one boos the other team when they are serving. They seem to really enjoy the event itself. Good game by Lucarelli - Sidao showing a bit of rustiness - I guess he didnt play last match so a bit expected..

Quote from saishuu

He's been feeling some pain in his right hand since the game against Tunisia.

Thanks.

Moroz is one hot steamy lad

Carry on

Muzerskiy playing OP now

Quote from saishuu

LUCARELLI

amazing play from him!! He looks even stronger now - The only part of his game needing more work now is his blocking.. The improvements in his attacking and passing are phenomenal!!

Inspiring stuff from Finland. They could've easily won but they lacked something just a little bit extra. Maybe some players are not experienced enough (e.g. Tervaportti shouldn't have set to his opposite when Vissotto came in the place of Raphael and covered zone 4 in block at 22:21 for Finland), or maybe the coaching is not good enough.

Brazilians on the other hand were not impressive but they possess exactly that thing tha FInland doesn't. Their experience and their serves (especially Lucarelli's) dragged them out of potential complications.

Let me comment the Finnish fans. I've noticed them at previous competitions, I've even seen them live. I'm a huge fan of their respectful supporting, but I think their behaviour is one tad bit too reserved and... 'boring'. Judging by their behaviour (funny clapping and everything), their wigs and their age, one might come to the conclusion that a large care home has organised a group excursion to Poland for its elderly inhabitants. Not that it's a bad thing, but where are the young people?