World Grand Prix 2012

The match between thailand and turkey will be really great to watch its sure that turkey is on another level from thailand but on the otherhand it seems turkey have some trouble playing against asian fast game style(what is so common between european teams)so i guess the match wont be so easy ,thailand probably force its limit to win this game

Quote from Matthias

Laola will broadcast all matches of final round

Good news! Thank goodness for Laola! I hope they're going to stream the games in London. (Wishful thinking)

Quote from hejjdeu

The match between thailand and turkey will be really great to watch its sure that turkey is on another level from thailand but on the otherhand it seems turkey have some trouble playing against asian fast game style(what is so common between european teams)so i guess the match wont be so easy ,thailand probably force its limit to win this game

yes right but we are used to asian volley a litle more than before after having faced Japan and Korea at first round..

Quote from Canter

yes right but we are used to asian volley a litle more than before after having faced Japan and Korea at first round..

What result do u suppose about this game? And dont get me wrong but without yeong kim korea's level is really disaster so its not worth to win them this situation

Quote from hejjdeu

What result do u suppose about this game? And dont get me wrong but without yeong kim korea's level is really disaster so its not worth to win them this situation

im not talkin about team's power or playing without best players, i mean being used to the way they play:Fast game,variations etc..for example Japan's defence was great at firs set when we met them.Of course we still need to face asian teams more.
about result:i think 3-1 Turkey... (ofc ourse everthing is possible in volleyball we should be careful)

I'm pretty concerned about some injuries the players could possibly take due to the insane game schedule ... I hope everyone keeps being healthy, please no injuries anymore...Only one month left for the olympic games!

I honestly think that this Grand Prix sealed Harmotto's trip to London games. She is such an exciting player, a prospect for USA volleyball. She and Akinradewo, in my opinion, will be the starters for USA in London. Who would have thought? Both of them played against each other some 3 -4 years back in one of US NCAA's most decorated rivalries (Penn State-Stanford).. 3rd MB spot might go to Bown or Scott..(But Im secretly hoping its Bown..)

Quote from hejjdeu

The match between thailand and turkey will be really great to watch its sure that turkey is on another level from thailand but on the otherhand it seems turkey have some trouble playing against asian fast game style(what is so common between european teams)so i guess the match wont be so easy ,thailand probably force its limit to win this game

To be fair, I haven't seen Turkey play that much but I don't think they are on another level from Thailand. Thailand has improved by leaps and bounds and I truly think they deserved to be in the final round regardless of the "easy" schedule they had in the preliminaries.

I agree with jist. Harmotto has played just an amazing volleyball so far and If everything goes well, She will be playing as starter in London. I've never expected it since as everyone knows US has very strong MBs such as Akinradewo, Bown, Tamas, Scott and so on. She absolutely deserves her place. I just can say What a poor girl Tamas is... She can possibly have place in another teams but her country has better MBs than her...so what a pity for her. Honestly speaking, After Beijing, I completely thought She and Akinradewo would play as starters and Bown & Scott were going to retired... Maybe I was so wrong about it

But what do you think about the decrease of Akinradewo's performance this year? I mean still she is great but not as outstanding as she was last year. Would weak season with Krasnodar be reason?

Quote from serdar

But what do you think about the decrease of Akinradewo's performance this year? I mean still she is great but not as outstanding as she was last year. Would weak season with Krasnodar be reason?

I think her connection with Berg was not so good in this tournament, in block she still was really good. 2 years ago when Akinradewo was MVP of GP, Glass was the setter, so maybe she can play better with her than with Berg, but I'm sure they'll work hard on it until OG.

Quote from emil_niklas

I'm pretty concerned about some injuries the players could possibly take due to the insane game schedule ... I hope everyone keeps being healthy, please no injuries anymore...Only one month left for the olympic games!

yes, that also worries me, and I think also McCutcheon though about that not taking some if his main players..I hope nothing goes wrong, but is really hard calendar, as always with FIVB.

Quote from joanamss

yes, that also worries me, and I think also McCutcheon though about that not taking some if his main players..I hope nothing goes wrong, but is really hard calendar, as always with FIVB.

I think his decision is right, not taking any risks and letting new players play. I was kinda surprised at Richards's great performances. I always knew that She was a stable receiver however played very well both in attack and defense. Is there any chance Richards going to London? not so easy I assume...

Quote from emil_niklas

I agree with jist. Harmotto has played just an amazing volleyball so far and If everything goes well, She will be playing as starter in London. I've never expected it since as everyone knows US has very strong MBs such as Akinradewo, Bown, Tamas, Scott and so on. She absolutely deserves her place. I just can say What a poor girl Tamas is... She can possibly have place in another teams but her country has better MBs than her...so what a pity for her. Honestly speaking, After Beijing, I completely thought She and Akinradewo would play as starters and Bown & Scott were going to retired... Maybe I was so wrong about it

Whether Harmotto makes it on the USA's roster for London or not, I will continue to be inspired by her determination. For someone who had an injury a year ago, it was such an incredible come back. I just love her.

USA still has other capable MBs like Gibbmeyer, Arielle Wilson..

Quote from serdar

But what do you think about the decrease of Akinradewo's performance this year? I mean still she is great but not as outstanding as she was last year. Would weak season with Krasnodar be reason?

I don't think there was a decrease in her performance. Maybe her connection with Berg has been a little rough but I believe she will be back..hopefully in time for London Games.

Quote from emil_niklas

I think his decision is right, not taking any risks and letting new players play. I was kinda surprised at Richards's great performances. I always knew that She was a stable receiver however played very well both in attack and defense. Is there any chance Richards going to London? not so easy I assume...

Kristin Richards' peformance vs Serbia and Thailand clearly brought her back to contention for that London Spot. IMHO, this will be USA's London roster:

OH - Tom, Larson, Hodge
Opp - Hooker, Haneef-Park/Metcalf
MB - Akinradewo, Harmotto, Bown/Scott-Arruda
Setter - Berg, Glass/Thompson
L- Davis

Only 1 player remaining to complete the 12...In my opinion its going to be either Miyashiro, Richards or Barboza...

Foluke's connection with Berg is the real issue. She want the ball high and fast since she jumps so high but Berg's sets are quite low since she used to sets average jumpers. Foluke's block is not so good though. Surely she gets a lot of touches but she's not converting it to points. I hope she could bring back her 2010 blocking form.

By the way, this could be the last NT appearance of Foluke since she's planning to go back to med school in Stanford. Club team is quite hard to leave since it will be the main source of her tuition fee. Stanford is pretty expensive as you know.

Quote from Mapuan

By the way, this could be the last NT appearance of Foluke since she's planning to go back to med school in Stanford. Club team is quite hard to leave since it will be the main source of her tuition fee. Stanford is pretty expensive as you know.

Or better put it, Med School (regardless of which University) is expensive. That may hold her Foluke's plan..But I wish her the best!

Quote from emil_niklas

I agree with jist. Harmotto has played just an amazing volleyball so far and If everything goes well, She will be playing as starter in London. I've never expected it since as everyone knows US has very strong MBs such as Akinradewo, Bown, Tamas, Scott and so on. She absolutely deserves her place. I just can say What a poor girl Tamas is... She can possibly have place in another teams but her country has better MBs than her...so what a pity for her. Honestly speaking, After Beijing, I completely thought She and Akinradewo would play as starters and Bown & Scott were going to retired... Maybe I was so wrong about it

my London american starters for gold :
Berg - Hooker - Akinradewo - Larson - Logan - Davis .
+ Harmotto as 1st from the bench.

Actually i dont like the player whose games are based mainly on their athtletism.( exception for Cuban players but a little )
btw, we dont have to think about who to be starter in the American Nt..they have enough players..