2012 Olympic Games

    I wasn't at home yesterday, so I couldn't see the final...


    What a surprise :white: :white: :white:


    Congratulations to BRAZIL and Brazilian users/fans :flower: :flower: :flower:

    Also congratulations to Japan and Japanese fans for BRONZE medal :flower: :flower: :flower:

    Maybe Logan can use the disappointment of this loss to take a sweet revenge against Sheila, Thaísa, Jaque and Garay on the next club season, in Brazil. I wouldn't mind that. :whistling:


    About the match, I think there's some interesting observations to make. After it, in the interviews, Zé said Brazil had a couple of surprises under their sleeves. Like, for instance, the whole serving on Davis. We had played USA a lot these last couple of years. He said we figured serving Davis could be a good move, but we didn't try to use it as much in the first match, on group rounds. Obviously, that can be quite tricky, cause after it we got tangled in our own bad playing, and we risked not even having the chance to face Russia in quarterfinals. But I think it's smart to have a couple of hidden tricks. Alekno showed that today, in the men's final, with his using Muserskyi as OPP and Mikhaylov as OH. That's also what I think it happened with our distribution. USA was ready to neutralize our biggest weapons, and we saw how much Sheila, Garay and Thaísa struggled to score in the 1st set. Jaque, on the other hand, who wasn't usually one of our biggest scorers, was able to take advantage of that as well, and kept maintaning the team ahead in the 2nd set, while Sheila and Garay were building confidence. That was definitely a key element. But we didn't expect Hooker to struggle so much with Brazil's defense. Jaque and Fabi were able to dig a lot. And also Hugh got stubborn, with his insistency on Hodge. She didn't add anything to the team and Davis was already very poor in reception. If it was another receiver, it might've worked, but the team needed Larson very much on court. Bad call, but it can happen to greatest.


    About the whole dream teams thing, I think people can think whatever they want, that's very subjective. But in my eyes, Cuba's 90's is the definite volleyball dream team ever. No one can touch it. There's been other great teams, but they're in a league on their own. I also think what makes their results even more impressive is their ability to beat Brazil's 90's, who were such a strong opponent. IMO, Brazil's team in 96 tops both the team from 08 and the team from 12. I'm not judging results, but playing technique. I recently rewatched the semifinal between Cuba and Brazil from 96 and that's just as good as it gets. :) But that's my opinion only, people can disagree about it. However, it'd be cool if Brazil was able to even things with the great cuban team, winning at home the golden olympic medal in 4 years. Let's see what happens, I believe we can do it.

    Okay, you guys may or may not read this, may or may not agree, but I just want this out of my system. :D


    About Brazil:


    Brazil is certainly NOT the best team in this tournament. They have so many vulnerabilities that I'm actually astounded that they won. I was actually prepared to say goodbye tp them at the quarterfinals. And I'm saying this even though I rooted for them all throughout the tournament. Fabiana and Sheilla are not near their top form (they DID peaked at the finals, though). Paula Pequeno, from being 2008 Olympic MVP is now a below average outside hitter. Jacqueline Carvalho, despite her superb performance in the finals, has never really improved since 2006. That performance of hers was the best we could expect from her. She and Fe Garay are really good receivers but they have problems with strong and tall blockers, as we have seen with their performance against Russia. Fabi is not anymore the best libero in the world. And most importantly, the setter position, after 4 years (or at least until Dani Lins stepped up) was still the most problematic position of Brazil and the main root of all these problems for Brazil. Only Thaisa, who, in 4 years of playing in the NT, became one of the best MBs in the world and the only consistent Brazilian in this Olympic roster.


    So how did they won?


    1) EXPERIENCE. Many players from this roster have played amazing high level volleyball since 2005, win or lose.


    2) Regardless of all the problems they have, they are still one of the best teams in the world. Certainly not the best, but they have played together for so long that a lost or two wouldn't bring them down for long.


    3) They may not be at their peak, but once upon a time, they have the best players in the world. And every now and then, we see that. And we have seen the best of them when they need it most, against their most problematic rival, Russia (Beijing not included, they finally defeated them in an important match) and USA. They have the best opposite in the world (Sheilla Castro), underperforming or not. They have once the best libero in the world (Fabi). And they once have the best outside hitters any team would want (Mari and Paula). This is NOT just an opinion.


    About Mari: Anyone who would put down Mari is a FOOL. Or they did not watch 2004 and 2008 Olympics. Mari had been Brazil's scoring maching at the Atlanta Olympics and she was just 20 yrs old back then. The best opposite Brazil has ever had, until the arrival of Sheilla. 37 points against Russia, against Gamova and Sokolova who are at the peak of their career. Compare that against the 14 points of Virna and Walewska and that was a 5-set game! Next comes Bejing. Not a monster blocker? Have haters seen how she blocked the life of almost every team, except USA, in Beijing? Not to mention she was almost unblockable. This is the reason why I'm so mad at Ze Roberto. While she was struggling since 2011, she could have contributed a lot compared to Natalia who seems like didn't recover from her injury and was reduced to a bench decoration. She could have peaked here like Sheilla and could have delivered a good olympics.


    On the other hand though, with her and Natalia not on receiving area, USA doesn't have a serving target... so yeah, admittedly it did work out in the end...


    About Paula: I have no words for Paula. I can't understand how a player who, in 2008 became the best player in the world, and just a year after became a mediocre outside hitter. I wish her all the best, though, and hope that we may see her form again.


    About Dani Lins: Technically, she has had what it takes to fill up Fofao's and Venturini's shoes (being the same type of setter with them to boot!). But she always lack confidence. What a thrilling tournament for her! I hope she'll continue with this kind of confidence and a 3rd olympic medal is not impossible in Rio!


    Brazil's future: I want Fabi out. She's already too old and Camilla Brait should have taken her place already. The same with Paula. Sheilla, Mari, jaqueline could still play, perhaps until 2014/2016, but I do want younger players to finally replace them (they are getting older after all). Thaisa, Fabiana, Fe garay, and adenizia will still definitely play 'cuz they're still young. But hey, based from the Brazilian league, they have plethora of young players ready to take control so brazil has a bright future, especially since NATALIA would definitely be at full strength. :thumbsup:

    About USA:


    One of the two best teams (together w/ Russia), if not THE best team in the tournament. They have 2 of the most complete outside hitters in the world with Logan Tom and Jordan Larson. They have the best setter they can possibly find in Berg. They have finally found the perfect opposite that could match any Sheilla Castro or Ekaterina Gamova, after so long of struggling with Phips and Haneef-Park (Sorry, but it's true), with Destinee Hooker. So what went wrong?


    1) Davis. No need to comment on that


    2) They failed to see what their weakness is. After rewatching the finals, I retract anything about what I said about the newbies. It's not as if they were underperforming all because it's the olympic finals. Well, in a way... yes. But that's not it. If it's only one or two players suddenly pressured because it's the olympic finals, I could understand. But ALL of the newbies? No. there's more to that. I think it's because of the way they were trained. They were trained to study their opponents, find their weakness, put PRESSURE on the opponents' weakness, and pound on that weakness to close the match. Such is the case with Brazil. They have played so many times that USA had had time to study them and counter them. But they themselves were not trained when PRESSURE is being put on THEM. There are already symptoms last year when Japan and Germany have beaten them 3 sets to none. They should have seen that, but alas, they failed. This is where EXPERIENCE comes in. Not including Akinradewo, the rest of the rookies (Hooker, Harmotto, Larson, Hodge) were in total chaos. Compared that to Tom and Scott-Arruda, who played an amazing finals. This leads me to number 3 and 4:


    3) Hugh should've brought Heather Bown. End of.


    4) The American blockers are prepared to block Thaisa, Fe Garay, and Sheilla. It's not as if Sheilla and Thaisa are under performing. NO. It's just they are being thwarted by the blockers. How many times did they block or slow down Sheilla? But they underestimated Fabiana and Jaqueline, who, in the preliminaries didn't really give USA any slightest pressure. This gave Jaque the opportunity to hammer the ball down their throats.


    5) Yes, they have 2 of the best outside hitters on their rosters. But if the level of the ones in the bench is not the same as Logan's or Larson's, then that's highly problematic. I don't deny Hodge's contribution to the team, especially lat Grand Prix. But her jump serve is totally ineffective, her reception and defense s**ks, and even in attack, there are times when she flops. And after Hodge, Hugh doesn't have any other OH. This is what I don't get, why limit himself to only 3 OH?


    6) Hugh decisions at the finals are highly questionable. Kiraly was already arguing with him about bringing back Larson in place of Hodge but he only relented after the 2nd technical timeout of the 4th set.


    USA's Future: a revenge against Brazil in Rio, right inside their own turf!! :box: By then, they have no more excuse. Like Brazil, they have tons of young players in the roster and Hooker and company already have olympic (finals to boot!) experience. Sheilla Castro, by then is already too old to play at best (33 yrs old) :rolll:

    About Russia:


    Hands down, possible the best team in the tournament, besides USA. Yes, their reception still s**k till the very last end. Yes, they rely too much on the trio of Goncharova (still can't memorize her new surname after all these months), Gamova, and Sokolova. But these 3 are point scoring machine that anything else is secondary. They only need a good set from Startseva to kill balls and it's match point.


    Watching the BRA-RUS match again, these three played the best in years.


    About Gamova: I do not agree that she underperformed. Perhaps I agree at first but after some observation.. no, she played well. Yes, she has had errors. Yes, she did not score the usual 35+ kills against Brazil. But when you have Goncharova and Sokolova helping you out and Startseva not giving you good sets, it's understandble. It's unlucky that they have met Brazil so early at the QF. Brazil really did a number on Russia and put the pools in total chaos. But they shouldn't be ashamed. The only match they lost is against the olympic champions. I stand by what I stated on my previous posts: Had Russia won, they could have won against USA:


    1) In the rare occasions that USA and Russia played, almost all the time Russia won


    2) Sokolova and Gamova were already on the Olympic finals twice and have failed. With Gamova so hungry at Gold and Sokolova almost mirroring her 2004 Olympic form, and with such poor performance of USA at the finals, a BIIIIGGGG YES! they could have won!


    About Japan and S.K:


    While I'm happy with Takeshita because I truly admire her, the BEST setter in this olympics, I still can't forget what happened at the Olympic Qualifier. I am one of those people who believe they truly throw that match against Serbia(what a forgettable match for Serbia in place of Thailand) for them to go to an easier group play. True or not, they got what they wanted, a medal. Admittedly, my respect for them isn't as high as it used to be (sorry!). That was one of the reasons why I wanted Kim and company to win.



    I apologize for the long post... I really am...

    I didn't have time to write something here so I am writing now:D


    Well, Congratulations Brazil :super: They made an incredible job! They were not favourite for the title after the prelminary round but it is such an interestinng that their game improved a lot during the Olympics, especially after an epic win against Russia in semifinal match. Their peak in the right time and just destroyed USA in the final.


    I am sorry for USA! They have won 3 WGP but their main goal was to take golden in London. Actually I felt that coming. I mean, I said it before the tournament as well, that they might fail( not taking gold). Anyway, they still have a very young roster that can play in Rio even Logan. We must congratulate them too :drink:


    About the final match, after watching 1st set, I was quite dissappointed because Brazil wasn't there :what: I expected more fight but USA simply crashed them in that set but they couldn't keep up that level in upcoming sets. Hugh made some substutions but it didn't work. I must say, for the first time his wrong roster choice was seen clearly. Bown, Metcalf and Richards should have been there IMO. His Thompson-Haneef choice is just for double substution. Scott Arruda didn't contribute the whole tournament. Hodge's reception caused big problems for them against Brazil. And they missed Sykora A LOT. Davis was soo bad. I wouldn't think that a libero can kill one team that much. Her reception was helpless and we didn't see her digs as well. I think they must find better libero instead of her for Rio. Logan will be missed a lot if she will quit playing for NT. Hooker's performance in whole tournament was super well but she was alone in the final because Larson did nothing on attack. Anyway, it is still a good success to take silver medal. They must keep that level until Rio and I am sure they will be the biggest gold medal contender there.


    What to say about Jaqeline! She was awesome, super well, unstopable, so ambitious ...!!! She totally deserved to get MVP. Even though there were so many users that complained about her, to tell the truth she was the most stable player in Brazil the whole tournament. Her good reception has been always there, and contributed in attack always. Fabiana showed her reall class! She lead her team so well, real captain! :super:


    One Olympic Games has passed! Can't wait for Rio :lol:

    Quote from Canter

    i didnt like Sheila Castro at this tournament...she has a good technique but is not a real opposite.But Jaque played great against Usa.Garay played very well.

    Oh Canter, Canter, Canter......please tell me what you think a "real opposite" is....Sheilla's play in the final rounds is exactly what a real opposite should do. She put away the difficult balls when her team needed her to do that. Sheilla was Brazil's key player, IMO.

    Quote from TheUSAFAN

    Oh Canter, Canter, Canter......please tell me what you think a "real opposite" is....Sheilla's play in the final rounds is exactly what a real opposite should do. She put away the difficult balls when her team needed her to do that. Sheilla was Brazil's key player, IMO.


    You know Sheila hasn't played in Turkey yet so he has no ide about her probably :lol:

    Quote from TheUSAFAN

    Oh Canter, Canter, Canter......please tell me what you think a "real opposite" is....Sheilla's play in the final rounds is exactly what a real opposite should do. She put away the difficult balls when her team needed her to do that. Sheilla was Brazil's key player, IMO.


    i meant she gathered points with her tecnique but to me an opposite player should be a strong one at the same time.Till the final match,i havent watch Sheila spiking strongly,she all the time used the balls as tips/plases ...i want an opp to take "clear points" ....she tipped balls mostly...as if she had lost her self confidence to spike as strong as she could...and took no risk and used balls softly...you can say she used balls smartly i say she didnt take much risk..

    Russia got bronze twice in a row and now they definitely got their so coveted gold olympic medal. I think team USA should not give up. Silver twice in a row, but I believe we can get our gold medal in 2016. It will be much better to beat the brazilians at home and shut up all the cheerers inside maracananzinho.

    My 2012 olympics squad


    Dani Lins(Lindsey Berg)
    Destinee Hooker(Sheilla Castro)
    Yeon Koung Kim - Fernanda Garay (Saori Kimura/Hui Ruoqi)
    Thaisa Menezes - Foluke Akinradewo(Fabiana Claudino-she was MVP of the final match for me though-)
    Brenda Castillo


    yes, I prefer 4 OHs and 1 libero system :lol: and I know It's almost only USA and Brazil players :P