2016 FIVB World League

For the 5 spots for the World League Finals with 2 matches left here is what we know

1. Serbia 6 wins, 19 points, clinched a spot in the Finals
2. Brazil 6 wins, 18 points, clinched a spot in the Finals, if Russia wins out (3-0 twice) and Brazil loses (3-0 twice), they would be tied on wins and points, but Brazil would win the set ratio tiebreaker (19-11 to 18-11)
3. USA 6 wins, 17 points, a win in 5 sets will clinch a spot in the Finals against Australia
4. France 5 wins, 17 points, a win in 5 sets will clinch a spot in the Finals against Poland
5. Italy 5 wins, 15 points, a win against Iran all but clinches a spot (unless in 5 sets, then Russia could overtake them on points if they win out)
6. Russia 4 wins, 12 points, need to win out and have Italy lose once (and go 4 in each match Russia gets sets ratio tiebreaker if that happens), or France lose twice or USA lose twice (not in 5 sets)
7. Belgium 3 wins, 9 points, need to win out and have Italy lose twice and Russia lose twice

Quote from arman

Yesterday I was Curious why the amount of noise in Azadi Stadium is much less compared to previous years, then asked friends and they said that they didnt allow trumpets entering the stadium.

It is still more than standard while some people could bring trumpets but the situation has improved a lot.

Irannians are now trying to use their larynx more to make sound!

It also is great that women was allowed to attend the game.

It's definitely an improvement, yes, but the fact that we consider it 'great' because it's something out of ordinary is still very sad

Speaking about the Iranian fans, I appreciate that the hall was so full also for the previous match on a friday (in other countries is quite rare).
Well, they weren't cheering for Italy, but I will forgive them

Still, I keep wondering if this is a stadium suit for volleyball: the people in the short side of the camp seem very, very far also from the first row O.O

Quote from Kk15

It's definitely an improvement, yes, but the fact that we consider it 'great' because it's something out of ordinary is still very sad

Speaking about the Iranian fans, I appreciate that the hall was so full also for the previous match on a friday (in other countries is quite rare).
Well, they weren't cheering for Italy, but I will forgive them

Still, I keep wondering if this is a stadium suit for volleyball: the people in the short side of the camp seem very, very far also from the first row O.O

I was in the stadium yesterday and yeah we didn't cheer for your country. Because of our respect for Julio Velasco, we really couldn't cheer for you. We owe this man a great part of our volleyball improvement. 12,000 People filled the stadium to cheer for Velasco and his team. But your team played amazing yesterday. You deserved the win

Quote from LDvolley

We played awful today, our worst match in the WL so far (even though we lost 3-0 to Brazil). Again we don't have any player that can kill counterattacks.

Man, we ripped our larynx for your NT but you're right you played bad. bad receptions bad serves bad attacks. hope they will be better tonight against Serbia. We'll support you again

Quote from Noncommittal

It also is great that women was allowed to attend the game.

I highly appreciate both steps, banning the trumpets and allowing some ladies to attend. To allow only well selected woman to watch of course can only be the beginning, but at least it shows some good will...... A good article which puts the issue in a bit broader perspective: http://www.playthegame.org/new…s-test-for-womens-rights/

Final of group 3 will take place today (17 CET) and not surprisingly it will be Slovenia vs. Germany. Germany's semi against chinese taipeh wasn't exactly an eye catcher and i will be really surprised if Germany can beat Slovenia today.

seems most teams gets decent results, even not in good shape meanwhile Poland loses and loses, what worries me... I know that peak should be in Rio, but in some games they looked lost

Serbia rested Atanasijevic today and looked clearly unfocused, but still great match from our boys (and good WL overall playing without the main weapon).

I think we'll lose to Iran 3-0 tomorrow, but I don't mind, maybe it's better if they arrive a bit overconfident to OG.

Arman, do us a favor - beat azzuri. As said Marouf, when was in Kazan - Iran never lost when plays at home. Will see...

Although with Divish in team we don't have many chances to beat USA - he's such spoiler

France and Italy won, clinching their spots for the Finals today.

Now, just one spot remaining, a USA win over Australia will clinch their position. Russia to even have a chance have to win both their matches and pray for a USA loss today.

Is a different challenge system used in Iran? The ball in / out system isn't a computer-simulated replay, and the slow mo replay for any challenge looks quite different from fivb official one.

Quote from Erfan

I was in the stadium yesterday and yeah we didn't cheer for your country. Because of our respect for Julio Velasco, we really couldn't cheer for you. We owe this man a great part of our volleyball improvement. 12,000 People filled the stadium to cheer for Velasco and his team. But your team played amazing yesterday. You deserved the win

Thank you! It was perfectly clear you supported Argentina for Velasco: I can't see who can appreciate that better than Italians, since we 'owe this man a great part of our volleyball improvement' too And three world Championship

Quote from arman

Well it has two reasons: First that Friday is a holiday in Iran .
and second that that ticket selling system is totally a mess in that stadium, there is no number on tickets and they sell more than capacity so people go there sooner to find a better location!
The stadium is originally for ice skating but rarely is used for that purpose.

Now I do understand few things more, thank you

Quote from Dimsok

Arman, do us a favor - beat azzuri. As said Marouf, when was in Kazan - Iran never lost when plays at home. Will see...

The best italian match so far, we played very consistently!

Quote from andrea

Is a different challenge system used in Iran? The ball in / out system isn't a computer-simulated replay, and the slow mo replay for any challenge looks quite different from fivb official one.

The system with the 'hawk eye' was stopped at the frontier, so they use the old methods.

Speaking of the Iranian team, apart from Ebadipour who's like an almost sure-in, Mobasheri definitely deserves a spot at Rio. He has a stable performance, has the best reception and defense amongst all Iranian OHs, and can also contribute offensively. Zarini should definitely not be brought to Rio. He's bad in all aspects, making mistakes and mistakes in attacks and reception. I don't see why the coach still inspects his shape. The youngster, Mohammadjavad, is decent in offense, but he's certainly a target for opponents' serves. Ghaemi's shape hasn't been good for a long time, and he's still recovering from a disease. However, he can at least be a backrow specialist, which is what the team needs a lot. Mirzajanpour has never been stable, and is poor in reception as an OH. However, his recent transition towards the Opp position makes him still able to contribute to the team to some extent. He could be a backup choice for both the Opp and OH positions.

Considering a balance between offense and defense, my choice of the four OHs for rio would be:
Ebadipour, Mobasheri, ghaemi, Mohammadjavad / mirzajanpour.