Rússia 2020

Quote from Ksenia

I'm a bit insecure when it comes to setters tbh. Yes, in the league, the setters are playing with MBs a lot but unfortunately, this word is not valid for Startseva. I don't know if it would be a good idea to test Efimova, Anufrienko and even Novik before OGs. Yes, Startseva used to be the best setter in Russia but unfortunately now the setter who is playing old fashioned volleyball like her is not much even in the Russian league. I think their main problem is setters, not MBs

The best attacking MBs in the world know where to attack. They don't need a setter to call the shots.

But that's not the primary duty of an MB. There's a reason they are called blockers instead of hitters.

In my opinion, Russia probably needs to go back to molten balls in order for the new generation of MBs to speed up the play so the setters can become more creative. Mikasa evolved the block of russia but they are lost with the offensive side because chaos is everywhere when there's a bad reception. I don't think Koroleva will evolve further but maybe there's still hope for Lazarenko.

But this is something that should be done after the olympics. There's just too little time and I doubt the improvement is going to be noticeable in Tokyo.

Quote from beri

If Russia's game plan is: throw everything at Goncha, I expect them to not make it pass the groups in Tokyo. I'd try something new.

The last time Russia tried something different, they've beaten Turkey without Goncharova. Trust me, you don't want any of that.

Oh well, I like good level of volleyball, but you are probably right about there being way too little time now.

I think Goncharova should rest most of VNL (is there anb info whether the corona virus will change any schedule -> see athletics).

Bringing back Babeshina might not be a bad idea

Personally, i'd like to see Goncharova as OPP with Lazareva and Parubets as OHs. Maybe Lazareva could pull off what Goncha did in London 2012. Russia needs firepower among the OHs to support Goncha. I thought Voronkova would be that OH but from what I've seen from last tear, she was quite unreliable in attack.

Quote from bibetron

Personally, i'd like to see Goncharova as OPP with Lazareva and Parubets as OHs. Maybe Lazareva could pull off what Goncha did in London 2012. Russia needs firepower among the OHs to support Goncha. I thought Voronkova would be that OH but from what I've seen from last tear, she was quite unreliable in attack.

I totally agree with you. When it comes to experience Voronkova has it more at the national team level, but when it comes to strong mentality Lazareva is a step ahead imo. Yes, it's a fact, strong mentality is important for volleyball and Lazareva has it. Honestly, I don't know how her reception will be if she is in. By the way, today is Lazareva's birthday.

Ryseva, Zaytseva and Brovkina are included in the extended list of the Russian national team.

Quote from Ksenia

Ryseva, Zaytseva and Brovkina are included in the extended list of the Russian national team.

Full list (Russian)

Someone van translate? Please

main roster

S: Startseva, Romanova

OH: Kosheleva, Voronkova, Parubets, Kurilo, Kotikova, Yurinskaya
OPP: Goncharova, Khaletskaya, Lazareva, Malygina

MB: Fetisova, Koroleva, Efimova, Orlova, Evdokimova, Lazarenko

L: Malova, Galkina, Pilipenko

reserve of the main roster

S: Efimova, Novik, Ryseva

OH: Bavykina, Krotkova, Shcherban, Sperskaite, Rusakova

OPP: Russu

MB: Enina, Zaytseva, Lyubushkina

L: Kurnosova, Frolova

Quote from canhotorodrigo

Is the Russian team divided into 2 teams? Does it mean that Shcherban will only play for the Russian team if any players get hurt?

She's on team B.

I believe that the attackers who will go to Tokyo are: Kosheleva, Parubets, Voronkova and Kurilo. Goncharova and Lazareva too.

yes, Russian NT is divided into 2 teams (A and B).

Yes, Shcherban is in B team, and it seems she has less chance to participate in OGs, but still everything is possible (depending on their performance or head coach). I guess if any player of team A does not play well or has an injury and then player of team B can replace her.

If we think that 12 players will go to the Olympics, Lazareva has less chance to make it Olympics because you can't take 6 hitters to the Olympics imo. Yes, I think the rest of the players (Kosheleva, Goncharova, Parubets, Voronkova, Kurilo) are real candidates for the Olympics.

Quote from Ksenia

If we think that 12 players will go to the Olympics, Lazareva has less chance to make it Olympics because you can't take 6 hitters to the Olympics imo. Yes, I think the rest of the players (Kosheleva, Goncharova, Parubets, Voronkova, Kurilo) are real candidates for the Olympics.

Russia can take 6 hitters IF they only bring 1 libero (Malova) but I don't think this will happen. Last spot is between Kosheleva and Lazareva and I agree with you Koshe has the edge on paper and experience-wise.

Btw, good to see Lazarenko in A-team. I think she will be the perfect 3rd MB in Tokyo (can also be used as serving sub), but I believe the coach will call Efimova

Kosheleva is still a big question mark for me. Sure, she has some great moments at club world champs, but it was also shown there that she had troubles with big teams. This coming VNL will be a good opportunity to see if she still has it. Otherwise, Lazareva should be in the 12 players squad.

Russia 2016 OG roster

Kosianenko - Ulyakina

Goncharova - Malygina

Fetisova - Zaryazhko - Shlyakhovaya

Scherban - Voronkova - Kosheleva

Malova - Ezhova

^So we could be seeing 6 out of the 12 players from Rio to Tokyo. We have a better setter duo this time in Startseva-Romanova, and the biggest addition to the team is Parubets. Also, not sure if Malova is performing well in Kazan or if she is still the best libero in Russia at the moment.

Quote from bibetron

Kosheleva is still a big question mark for me.

Honestly, the biggest question mark is Voronkova for me. Even Kosheleva, who recently joined the team, has taken Voronkova's spot. I can't say that Voronkova contributed more than Kosheleva. It will be better if Voronkova loses some weight because she has some difficulty in jumping.

Parubets and Lazareva's arms are long and this is an advantage for them to attack well. Lazareva can become a good player if she improves her skills.

The second question mark is the setter for me. I oft ask myself which setter is better but unfortunately I have no answer this question so far.

Quote from inc0gnito

Also, not sure if Malova is performing well in Kazan or if she is still the best libero in Russia at the moment.

I think she is still performing well so far. Yes, definitely she is the best libero in Russia at the moment imo. Neither Galkina nor Pilipenko's performance is close to her performance.

https://klops.ru/news/2020-02-…ningradskih-voleybolistok

According to this site, Orlova will not be part of the national team. Only eight players (Ryseva, Brovkina, Kosheleva, Yurinskaya, Kurilo, Galkina, Voronkova and Zaytseva) from Lokomotiv Kaliningrad will be in the national team.

I agree with Ksenia. Voronkova hasn't played in the last few weeks and did not play great before (still solid). Maybe she just needed some time out... We will see who will be playing for Loko in the playoffs.

The setter position is still a problem. I think Startseva is doing better this season but I am not so sure about Romanova. So far her performances in the NT were dissapointing. There are no clear alternatives. Babeshina has a lot experience and had some good games taking over as starting setter in Moscow (struggled in the last few matches). I think Efimova has a good season and might be worth a try.

Malova is still strong. I think Russia should only take her as a libero and six hitters. Olga Frolova could be one of the OH. She has the best reception stats (with Parubets and Maria Frolova) in league.

You are reading my mind lol. I also thought about Frolova as second libero and 6th OH. I even wrote about it on another page, but not on this forum. Frolova is actually a player like Blagojevic who is able to play as both a libero and an OH. The difference between them is that Blagojevic is a very experienced player. Frolova maybe has no chance to go to the Olympics but i'm still glad to have her in the wide roster. Btw, I would like to see Kuznetsova in the national team. Yeah, she is as short as Parubets, but her attacks are very impressive and otoh her mentality is strong.

In the setter position, I actually want three players to fight for two spots. Startseva and Romanova are more experienced players. Efimova's sets may be perfect for Parubets because she also likes to play as fast as possible. But I don't know how it would work for the rest of the players. When it comes to Startseva and Romanova, I expect creativity from them, especially I expect them to play with MBs too much. Unfortunately, I sometimes fail to see creativity.

Honestly, I do not want Rusakova and Babeshina to come back to the national team because they haven't played in the national team for a long time and even if they come back to the national team and how many years can they play for the national team ? They are old players like Orlova and I don't want them to come back to the national team just for the Olympics. Krotkova is younger when compared to them and I want her to come back to the national team. She may play as second libero because her reception at least is better than liberos of D.Moscow.

Buzato complained that some players in the national team were inexperienced during World CUP, so I guess he will take experienced players to the Olympics.

With the Olympics being postponed to 2021, this hurts Russia more than it benefits them. The team's main offensive weapon, Goncharova, will be 32 years old by the time (Kosheleva will be 33). If I remember correctly, Gamova was also 32 years old and Sokolova was 35 years old during London.

Russia should really start looking for Goncha's heir-apparent this year. If not Lazareva, maybe Kadochkina is the answer.