2015 FIVB World League

OK, time for a few words from me as well. A really, really exciting first day. My bet would've been 3-2 for Brazil due to the long flight for France and the reduced time for preparation. I wrote a lengthy post last week when I watched carefully these guys and, I am happy to say, I was right about them and their quality right now, I never doubted they could be even with Brazil. However, I should praise Brazil and Rezende for the tactical arsenal he started the match with. Brazil played pretty much the way they should to beat France - touched almost every ball at the net, amazing defence and digs, unbelievable Sergio, great attack efficiency in transition. I thought France would be doomed with this kind of performance by Brazil. Not only did they come back into the first set, but they corrected their game throughout the match, proving their huge technical/tactical variety - exactly what I wrote last week. Their serve was a mystery in the beginning, none of Rouzier, Ngapeth, or Le Roux could make it work and yet they not only started producing aces at a later stage, but could've even won the match 3-0. And this is the very same great French team we've been watching for quite some time now. Also, I don't know if there are such statistics available, but I think this must be a new record as they scored a 15th (!) straight win in the World League, thus beating Poland's record of 14 from 2007. France played great again and I shouldn't select individuals to praise, but I really want to say how well Kevin Tillie performed yesterday, even in the opening set when things didn't seem so smooth.

In the second match, I think Serbia might've underestimated Italy. I didn't see the Serbian team from the intercontinental round last night. This is also what Nikola Grbic said in the press conference. Which means this is a colossal mistake by the coach. The lack of the 4 Italian players actually unleashed those who had been waiting to shine. And still, I didn't think Italy could win the tie-break. Certainly not in such a convincing manner. Now Serbia will have a mountain to climb.

Last, I didn't like the Egyptian referee in the first match. Solid mistakes in the first three sets, all but one in favour of the hosts. What's the point of the challenges if you don't let teams use them.

Quote from scarpetta

For years majority of Italian coaches and some of the fans (including me) constantly bashed Stoychev.The ideas was he was lucky and winning all because of his superiorly talented OHs(Kaziyski, Juantorena). Giuliani once answered who of his colleagues is overrated question as 'Radostin Stoytchev! Trentino indeed won so much with him at the coaching position but I want to see what he can do without Juantorena and Kaziyski?'
But at this point if you look at Italian NT , there are 4 Trentino based players in starting 6. And if Juantorena plays, 5 of the starting 7 players will be Stoychev's students.
Guinelli- Despite being so young has the self-confidence and attitude of champion.
Colaci- He was basically a bench player and alternative to Bari but his progress is amazing
Lanza- When playing for Italian junior NT , he was a promising young OH but with Stoychev's guidance he is on his way to become a superstar. Last night he took the responsibility and started the Italian comeback which is more important than how many points he scored.
Birarelli- A journey man , ordinary player before coming to Trentino , now having his career yaers at the age of 30+
+
Juantorena- He won everything with Stoychev but nothing without him so far.

So this new 'team Italy ' is actually 'team Stoychev'
Now raylight it is your turn

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We've had these discussions several times before here as well. People in Bulgaria would also comment on Stoychev's successes as a coach and most are happy with his results and wanted (and still want) him as a NT head coach. Of course, there was some criticism due to the stardom he had recruited, but he gave his answer this year, so Alberto Giuliani, among many others, should eat his own words. I, personally, was mostly curious what he can do without Juantorena, for example (rather as a challenge, not a way to diminish his overall achievements), and he still won the title in Italy with Kaziyski. Now it'll be even more interesting for us and challenging for him to do the same without Matey. One thing is for sure, you can't deny his success, with or without star players.

I understand the Italian criticism, but I am not really sure how well a foreign, yet very successful and a bit arrogant (or rather with high self-confidence) coach would be accepted there, especially if he wins trophies the Italians should have grabbed. I would remind Mr. Giuliani of the fact that he brought Parodi and Henno, two great players nevertheless, with him from Cuneo, so he can't blame Stoychev for working with certain players all the time.

As for the current roster of Italy, if we add Gabrieli Nelli, who came on as a sub last night, and Trento's new signing Oleg Antonov, well, then the odds are surely in Trentino's favour. With the injuries in the NT, you have to be mad not to call players from the reigning Italian champion.