Rússia 2020

    Kosheleva's reception will never improve. We've seen her in SESC and Rezende did nothing for her.


    I think the most likely scenario is a bench role under Parubets and Voronkova... but Lazareva wasn't bad at reception so the odds are high Kosheleva's going to get the cut before Tokyo or she's making it as a fifth OH but Russia badly needs a defensive OH so an offensive OH kinda does not make sense.


    I hope Kurilo makes it because she's guaranteeing a good pass and a good attack at the same time but that Simonenko girl is receiving a high volume of serves despite the lower attack percentage. That's very interesting for an OH.

    Favorite players: M: Maxim Mikhaylov, Murilo, Serginho, Aaron Russell, Otavio, Simone Giannelli, Ivan Zaytsev, Tsvetan Sokolov, Michał Kubiak, Mariusz Wlazly, Pawel Zagummy W: Sheilla, Zhu Ting, Natalia, Fe Garay, Fofao, Gabi, Thaisa, Foluke Akinradewo, Wei Qiuyue, Ding Xia, Carli Lloyd, Fabi, Natalia Goncharova, Yuko Sano, Saoris Kimura and Sakoda

    I feel bad for the liberos who thought they had a chance but Malova is back and she said no, you can't go to Tokyo under my watch.:super:

    Favorite players: M: Maxim Mikhaylov, Murilo, Serginho, Aaron Russell, Otavio, Simone Giannelli, Ivan Zaytsev, Tsvetan Sokolov, Michał Kubiak, Mariusz Wlazly, Pawel Zagummy W: Sheilla, Zhu Ting, Natalia, Fe Garay, Fofao, Gabi, Thaisa, Foluke Akinradewo, Wei Qiuyue, Ding Xia, Carli Lloyd, Fabi, Natalia Goncharova, Yuko Sano, Saoris Kimura and Sakoda

    Quote from Rains

    I think the most likely scenario is a bench role under Parubets and Voronkova... but Lazareva wasn't bad at reception so the odds are high Kosheleva's going to get the cut before Tokyo or she's making it as a fifth OH but Russia badly needs a defensive OH so an offensive OH kinda does not make sense

    If Russia takes 5 OHs, then I guess they can only bring 1 libero? I doubt Buzato will allow it. The OHs probably look like this: Parubets, Voronkova, 1 offensive OH sub, 1 defenisive OH sub. I think Kosheleva will compete with Lazareva for that offensive OH spot.

    Quote from inc0gnito

    If Russia takes 5 OHs, then I guess they can only bring 1 libero? I doubt Buzato will allow it. The OHs probably look like this: Parubets, Voronkova, 1 offensive OH sub, 1 defenisive OH sub. I think Kosheleva will compete with Lazareva for that offensive OH spot.

    In my opinion, Kurilo is the all-rounder so she's a bit different from an offensive and defensive sub.

    Favorite players: M: Maxim Mikhaylov, Murilo, Serginho, Aaron Russell, Otavio, Simone Giannelli, Ivan Zaytsev, Tsvetan Sokolov, Michał Kubiak, Mariusz Wlazly, Pawel Zagummy W: Sheilla, Zhu Ting, Natalia, Fe Garay, Fofao, Gabi, Thaisa, Foluke Akinradewo, Wei Qiuyue, Ding Xia, Carli Lloyd, Fabi, Natalia Goncharova, Yuko Sano, Saoris Kimura and Sakoda

    I still think Kosheleva will make it to Tokyo, especially now she is back playing in Russia so the Federation will definitely put pressure on Buzato to consider her (if only due to her experience). No question she will be the best candidate in the double sub, compared to say Khaletskaia or God forbid, Malygina. Only question if she will allow to be backup to Goncha :whistle:

    Quote from inc0gnito

    I still think Kosheleva will make it to Tokyo, especially now she is back playing in Russia so the Federation will definitely put pressure on Buzato to consider her (if only due to her experience). No question she will be the best candidate in the double sub, compared to say Khaletskaia or God forbid, Malygina. Only question if she will allow to be backup to Goncha :whistle:

    They should be preparing for Gonchexit so Lazareva might need the olympic experience.


    Anyway, they need a good server because Nataliya's serve is... weak. She needs someone who could cover for her during that phase without sacrificing a lot of firepower.

    Favorite players: M: Maxim Mikhaylov, Murilo, Serginho, Aaron Russell, Otavio, Simone Giannelli, Ivan Zaytsev, Tsvetan Sokolov, Michał Kubiak, Mariusz Wlazly, Pawel Zagummy W: Sheilla, Zhu Ting, Natalia, Fe Garay, Fofao, Gabi, Thaisa, Foluke Akinradewo, Wei Qiuyue, Ding Xia, Carli Lloyd, Fabi, Natalia Goncharova, Yuko Sano, Saoris Kimura and Sakoda

    I would not be so sure Serbia will finish #1. Brazil and Japan could beat them. In the Olympics there`s always a favorite team that under perform, while a underdog surprises everyone. Or if Serbia is #1, then Italy or China could under perform and finish #4.


    Even if Russia ( or any other team besides China) finish #1 #2.... They could still lose the Quaterfinal as Serbia, Brazil, Japan can beat them.....even South Korea and DR can beat any team in pool B besides China.

    It'll be a tough battle between Turkey and Russia to even make it as 4th ranked team in Pool B. It could go either way but Turkey has an advantage with Guidetti.

    Tbh not just Turkey and Russia will fight for 4, ofc anything can happen but I'm also not 100% on USA beating those two.

    Quote from beri

    Tbh not just Turkey and Russia will fight for 4, ofc anything can happen but I'm also not 100% on USA beating those two.

    You have a point. USA beat Russia both in 5 sets last WCH and WC so I think their A-teams are on the same level.

    Quote from pope

    I would not be so sure Serbia will finish #1. Brazil and Japan could beat them. In the Olympics there`s always a favorite team that under perform, while a underdog surprises everyone. Or if Serbia is #1, then Italy or China could under perform and finish #4.


    Even if Russia ( or any other team besides China) finish #1 #2.... They could still lose the Quaterfinal as Serbia, Brazil, Japan can beat them.....even South Korea and DR can beat any team in pool B besides China.

    Really? I am pretty sure Serbia will go 15/0 in pool play.... unless if something weird happens in pool B such as Italy or China starting to lose games and become 4th in the pool. Then there's no need to meet them in the quarterfinals early.


    I don't think SK or DR could beat Italy (this isn't 2012 :gone:)


    Speaking of the favorite team which is gonna underperform, it seems this forum has China as a favorite and that scares me.

    China is 100% favorite. They are just on another level. Zhu Ting is more mature now. I think this China is much better than the one from 2016. Italy is the biggest threat to them, plus the Italians are not intimidated by the Chinese team. Serbia, on the other hand, is quite hard to predict how they'll fare against China. If I remember correctly, it was the gold medal match in Rio where they last met in an important match.

    China has the best 4 OH combination in their roster. There are only a few changes in their 12 player list from Olympic champion roster so they have the experience card as well. I wouldn't be surprised to see another CHN-SRB final unless Egonu goes on monster mode in the semis

    I believe that Turkey and Russia will fight for a spot in the QFs. Russia's A team hasn't beaten China/USA/Italy in the last 2 years. With Turkey is kinda difficult to predict since they didn't participate in the WC,but they have improved since the WCH.I really don't see both of them beating the USA and both advancing to the QFs,but as I have said multiple times, it's too early to say for sure.

    I believe that group B will be very disputed. And I do not believe that Russia will fight for the last wave only.

    In recent years, Russia played against the USA and the games were won 3x2, always very disputed.

    Against Italy in the last European championship, the team from Russia was playing at the front throughout the game, that is, there are chances to win.

    The only opponent that the Russian team is unable to beat is China. The other teams, like the USA, Italy and Turkey, may lose to Russia when it comes to Olympic games.

    I will not be scared if Russia is second in group B.

    Parubets scored 39 points in the game against the Cannes team.

    She is the second highest scorer in the Champions League and is among the 5 players with the best reception.

    Of course I'm hoping for an upset but realistically speaking, the best Russia can achieve is a 4th place at pool B. Then they'll meet Serbia at Quarter-finals and that'll be the end of the road for them. So the curse of not getting past QF post-Athens Olympics continues.