2015 World Cup - Japan - 8/22

    Yang Hyo Jin has a very awkward looking serve. She makes too many steps and it appears she would cross her legs and make a misstep.


    On the Russian side, Shcherban continues her good performance from her past games. Good for her.

    With this bad performance Russia should be satisfied with being 4th, Marichev acting like a mad man.

    Orlova is the weakest middle attacker I've ever seen. I don't think even Borodakova would be worse than her.

    Russia won the 2nd set but overall their are playing very bad. If Kosianenko plays a typical russian volleyball and relies on Goncharova this much, why not Startseva? She can at least block. Orlova is just useless, I hope Fetisova gets a chance to play. Such a big pity that Russia's best MBs are staying home and mediocre ones are playing in such an important tournament.

    Quote from Emil

    Orlova is the weakest middle attacker I've ever seen. I don't think even Borodakova would be worse than her.


    Sadly, I have to agree. She barely gets a ball and even if she did, it was defended most of the time.

    Scherban's reception has been a nightmare :aww: Not to wonder why Malova received 71 balls in the match against Japan.


    Thank god finally Fetisova replaced Orlova.

    I hope Kosianenko uses her brain...there was no one in front of Lyubushkina and she was totally ready to attack, and she just set to Goncharova :pinch:


    Russia will win this match for sure, I don't think there will be some unbelievable miracle, but this is toooo way boring to rely on Goncharova and Kosheleva. She should remember how her team won in the ECH 2013. Morozova, Shlyakhovaya are not there for sure and she's not very confident with her new MBs at all, I think that's her problem.


    On the other hand Malova playing an excellent match in terms of digging.

    What an easy match for China against Cuba, 3-0. A bit surprise to see so many Chinese supporters in Okayama :-)


    “There are decades where nothing happens; and there are weeks where decades happen.”

    Russia is leading so far, but they will face tougher opponents and with such style of play - using 2 killers w/o reception and with cheerleaders as MBs (especially Orlova...) I predict nothing higher than 4th place unfortuantely :whistle:


    I hope that at least Serbia will grab a spot on OG :roll:

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    Quote from kondzio

    Russia is leading so far, but they will face tougher opponents and with such style of play - using 2 killers w/o reception and with cheerleaders as MBs (especially Orlova...) I predict nothing higher than 4th place unfortuantely :whistle:


    I hope that at least Serbia will grab a spot on OG :roll:


    Orlova blocks well only if she knows where the ball goes, tomorrow she will have to read Ognjenovic's sets :rolleyes: I presume a 3-1 match for Serbia. Regardless of anything else, Mihajlovic-Boskovic vs Kosheleva-Goncharova would be so much exciting to see. I think the biggest gap between those two teams is the middles, Rasic and Stevanovic will overplay russian MBs...

    Hodge simply can't pass! I am surprised how much she struggles with weaker teams like Algeria, Kenia, Peru. I think teams which hire her should consider her as a non passing outside because her reception is unacceptable. I thought Klineman was way worse than her and now realize maybe they are the same (although Klineman was good in Novara because Hill and Sansonna covered her) Also I'm surprised of her numbers.. not such great numbers for an offensive OH. She has the same reach as Hooker and expect much more from her, especially considering the fact she played against weaker teams. Her main problem IMO is the system, not the speed, but the height of the sets.. she would do much better if sets are higher..Let's hope for the best in Imoco

    This DOM player gets my attention, Rivera (#14) barely smiles during play :-) Rather muscular meaty, hardly jump but her spike is powerful. Later I found out she's the captain of the team... a deadly serious captain indeed ;)


    “There are decades where nothing happens; and there are weeks where decades happen.”

    Quote from Emil

    Orlova blocks well only if she knows where the ball goes, tomorrow she will have to read Ognjenovic's sets I presume a 3-1 match for Serbia. Regardless of anything else, Mihajlovic-Boskovic vs Kosheleva-Goncharova would be so much exciting to see. I think the biggest gap between those two teams is the middles, Rasic and Stevanovic will overplay russian MBs...

    Watched the most recent match between RUSxSRB in this year's grand Prix which Russia won 3-2, and surprisingly, Lyubushkina-Orlova held their own against Serbia MBs. The only real difference now is Boskovic and Ognejovic will be playing as starter (they played in that last match, but as backup Opp/setter), and of course, the biggest change now is that both Mihajlovic (#1 best spiker) and Kosheleva (#2 best spiker) will be on court. I am hoping Serbia to win, but Russia's chances won't be looking too good if they lose against the Serbs as they still have to beat USA and China to qualify. Hoping we get at least 4 sets in the match later and may the best European team win :box:

    JPN v KOR, another close contest today in addition to RUS v SRB. I wonder whether the Korean team can defeat the host team. The outcome may much depend on KYK's performance today, if she plays excellently, KOR will win.


    As for RUS v SRB, watching from their plays in this tournament, ignoring all other aspects, I guess SRB will take this match, their team are generally more solid.


    “There are decades where nothing happens; and there are weeks where decades happen.”

    The battle is on :box: Another brilliant one hand set by Ognjenovic. She's simply amazing in this tournament.