We finally have a major upset at the WCH and no one is talking about it? Did anyone actually watch the Netherlands yesterday or you all preferred USA-RUS? It feels great to finally have one the world's most emblematic teams back to a WCH (NED) for the first time since 2002 and they didn't disappoint. The Netherlands played already decently against Canada and, in my opinion, didn't deserve to lose in straight sets but have improved since. The scandals in the Brazilian camp make sense and could perhaps partially explain their problems. However, yesterday it felt like Brazil entered the field overconfident, having previously beaten their toughest rivals in the group France. I don't know what the reasons were and what exactly played a role, but their display had little in common to the one against France. Nevertheless, kudos to the motivation, performance, and preparation of teh Dutch team! They blocked the Brazilians on a number of occasions, served well, seemed very composed even after they lost the opening set. Yes, that's correct, they didn't even Abdel-Aziz. Ter Maat did well, the reception improved throughout the game, but overall it was an amazing performance by the MB Parkinson and the setter van Haarlem. I am happy Pool B proves to be as interesting as expected. Now France have everything in their hands to gain the leading position, but they will face motivated Dutch and Canadian sides. And whereas I don't know if the Netherlands can again surprise today (although they did extremely well against France at the ECH last year), we are yet to see where Antiga's Canadians stand.
By the way, for th e sake of statistics, the last time the Netherlands beat Brazil at a WCH was back in 1966! Although they enjoyed some wins against Brazil in the World League over the years, something that few teams could achieve, it seemed like a different story at WCHs.
An amazing match between Belgium and Slovenia, too. I honestly doubted Slovenia could turn things around, but these subs were golden! Sket with one of the tournament's best performances, mesmerizing efficiency! And although I missed parts of the match, I didn't actually see Ropret make a (big) mistake or deliver inaccurate sets, at least in the rallies I saw. Slovenia has not been beaten at a WCH yet and although it will be difficult against a great-serving, home-playing Italian team, they have already surpassed their minimum goals in the debut, I presume.
I am quite happy (almost) all teams started collecting sets and the initial straight-set wins were replaced with longer matches, at least in the past two days. Even the poor Tunisian team played their best match yesterday against Serbia. Puerto Rico are yet to demonstrate if they can at least partially challenge Finland and fellow Cubans, having now played against all Pool D's top teams. Pity, because that's the weakest Puerto Rican team I've seen. They managed to beat Italy 4 years ago even if they were drawn into the Group of Death back then and expectedly failed to advance. The only really missing team from the tournament is Germany, in my opinion, and I would sacrifice the 5th NORCECA berth, based on their teams' performances so far, to invite the Germans. But that's me.
I am disappointed by the Chinese team. They did so much better at the VNL, I had higher hopes for their matches in Russe. I can't say whether teams scouted them well after the VNL or if they just underperform, but even the opposite Chuan Jiang seems lost and often blocked against any team. Pity, Pool B would've been even more intense with a better Chinese team.
