2015 FIVB World Grand Prix

Was Van De Vijver the main setter last year (GP and WCh)?!
I don't remember Belgium setter being so awful during the last tournaments I watched...today the setter couldn't set a single good ball for OHs and OPP...the best ball was to the middle and slide attacks, which the MBs could never kill either way

If a team from group 1 fails to qualify for the finals, one can always complain about the strength of schedule
I was in the mood for making tables and charts, and I came up with some random facts.
Before going into further investigation, I need you to tell me something more about the rules and the draw.

Is there a reason behind the selection (and ordering) of the opponents for a given team?
Only Russia plays nine different teams. By contrast, six teams will face two opponents twice.

Are the teams seeded according to last year's standings or FIVB ranking or anything at all?
Italy plays against each of the other five top rivals. Japan is in a similar situation. On the other hand, Germany plays mostly against comparatively weaker opponents, and Brazil doesn't meet USA and China until the finals.

Another interesting topic is the disparity in time of travel and jet lag. Who decides which team plays where?
While the Chinese and the Turks take a 5000-km trip in their neighborhood, Brazil Thailand and Germany go round the world for 30-40k km.

just now watching a little bit of ITA x JPN.

i thought this play in the rally here starting at 34:10 was very interesting.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hm6k3Dz-bi0

this is why JPN is so good, they are so creative and adaptable. you see the MB, shimamura (who just feinted a back slide) stay to block in position 2, with miyashita (setter) blocking in the middle, and when it's their turn to counter-attack, shimamura spikes from position 2 and gets a kill. other teams would have the MB running back to block in the middle, and during the counter-attack, she'd just be jumping in the middle pretending to attack (feint), giving the setter only the OH as front row option, or setting the back row attackers. but with shimamura running to position 2, the setter has another front row option. they are simply so disciplined, precise and well-drilled, to make up for their lack of height and size.

Quote from saishuu

ZRG might want to bring Adenízia as a cheerleader to play Aline Barros and keep the holy spirit within the team though

who is aline barros?

i miss ortolani, is she not gonna come back to the NT????? i can't believe picci and leo would come back but not serena.

FIVB World Grand Prix 2015
Week 3
Pool E
Venue: Japan Saitama City Memorial Gymnasium, Saitama, Japan
10-12 July 2015

* JST (Japan Standard Time) UTC/GMT +9 hours
* ICT (Indochina Time) UTC/GMT +7 hours (THAILAND TIME)

11 July
15:10 (Local Time)
UTC/GMT 06:10 China (CHN) vs Italy (ITA)

China vs Italy | 11 July 2015 | Week 3 | Pool E | 2015 FIVB World Grand Prix
This is Volleyball
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7L7os2ka2XM
OR
CCTV 5
http://www.zoptv.com/live/cctv-5
http://www.zhangyu.tv/10027

Italy performed well during the first set, but for now China is superior. I'm liking Cate Bosetti, good performance by her for now, I was missing her clever shots and her presence in defense

very nice game China-Italy until now

Pity that Italy disappeared in this third set after a really good one!

FIVB World Grand Prix 2015
Week 3
Pool E
Venue: Japan Saitama City Memorial Gymnasium, Saitama, Japan
10-12 July 2015

* JST (Japan Standard Time) UTC/GMT +9 hours
* ICT (Indochina Time) UTC/GMT +7 hours (THAILAND TIME)

July 11, 2015
UTC/GMT 09:10 Japan (PN) vs Dominican Republic (DOM)

Japan vs Dominican Republic | 11 July 2015 | Week 3 | Pool E | 2015 FIVB World Grand Prix
by This is Volleyball
Sat 4:10 PM (Thailand Time)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVkNfQYJ1nQ

Zhang Chang-ning was used as an opposite hitter.
Whether she could keep the site was a question.

Malinov's setting to MB is so sucked.
Chirichella has a starting position guaranteed,but another MB neither Arrighetti nor Guiggi could do the job well.
Arrighetti and Guiggi are oldest in the team,but their connection with Malinov is the worst.
I wonder Orro is travelling with nothing to do?
Bonitta practise Malinov this year,but she could not use MBs well, Italy could not achieve something.

Croatia-Puerto Rico should be a contest for the most beautiful setter of the world. Eventually Mojica all the way!

FIVB World Grand Prix 2015
Week 3
Pool D - Prelim. Round - Group 1
Venue: Brazil Ginasio do Ibirapuera, Sao Paulo, Brazil
10-12 July 2015

July 11, 2015
Sao Paulo
11.07.15 10:00 (Local)
11.07.15 20:00 (Bangkok Time)
Pool D - Prelim. Round - Group 1 Match 021
Brazil vs Thailand

Brazil vs Thailand | 11 July 2015 | Week 3 | Pool D | 2015 FIVB World Grand Prix
by This is Volleyball
Starts: July 11, 2015
Sat 8:00 PM (Bangkok Time)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ml8_XNfTs0w

What a super smart point by Thai libero

Quote from kondzio

Agree Mojica wins here

Puerto Rico is beating next European team they defeated Poland, Czech Republic and Croatia, Karina Ocasio is on fire

Netherlands and Puerto Rico almost secured spots in finals in Poland, who'll be last team?

But they were beaten by Bulgaria. Who is setter of Croatia BTW ? Because i can't remember someone so attractive of their squad.