Russian NT 2020

  • The wide roster of the training camp from Jan.13 to Jan.14


    S: Abaev, Butko, Kobzar, Kovalev, Pankov

    OP: Alekseev, Zhigalov, Mikhaylov, Poletaev

    OH: Berezhko, Bogdan, D.Volkov, Voronkov, Kliuka, Podlesnykh, Savin, Semyshev, Ursov

    MB: Vlasov, Volvich, Kononov, Kurkaev, Lyzik, Tavasiev, Philippov, Yakovlev

    L: Andreev, Baranov, Golubev, Melkozarov

    My favourite roster of Chinese (in 2022)
    male NT:
    S - Yu Yao-chen, Chen Lei-yang
    OP - Jiang Chuan, Dai Qing-yao
    OH - Zhang Jing-yin, Yu Yuan-tai, Liu Li-bin, Fu Hou-wen
    MB - Zhang Zhe-jia, Peng Shi-kun, Li Yong-zhen, Jiang Zhen-yang
    L - Yang Yi-ming, Yang Tian-yuan


    female NT:
    S - Yao Di, Diao Lin-yu
    OP - Gong Xiang-yu, Sun Xiao-xuan
    OH - Li Ying-ying, Wang Yi-fan, Wu Meng-jie, Zhuang Yu-shan
    MB - Yuan Xin-yue, Wang Yuan-yuan, Zheng Yi-xin, Liu Yu
    L - Ni Fei-fan, Xu Jia-nan

  • Grankin and Musersky were also summoned, but did not go to the training center because they are playing in their countries. But at the end of the national championship, the 2 players will join the rest of the team.

  • I think Yakovlev is the best MB in the league at the moment. He and Kurkaev (coming from an injury) will be fighting for that 3rd MB spot to Tokyo.


    Speaking of injuries, Poletaev has yet to return to court. Russia will be in big trouble if he does not play in Olympics, Mikhaylov will only return playing Opp after the season.

  • I think Yakovlev is the best MB in the league at the moment. He and Kurkaev (coming from an injury) will be fighting for that 3rd MB spot to Tokyo.


    Speaking of injuries, Poletaev has yet to return to court. Russia will be in big trouble if he does not play in Olympics, Mikhaylov will only return playing Opp after the season.

    Who are the first two MBs of the Russian team at the moment?

  • Who are the first two MBs of the Russian team at the moment?

    If we are talking about NT, Muserksiy and Volvich I think have their spots secured seeing as they also are the most experienced internationally. But for MBs playing in domestic league, Iakovlev and Scherbinin I think are the top MBs. I would add Kurkaev on this list if not for his injury.


    But if I were the coach I would take Muserskiy, Kurkaev, and Iakovlev to Tokyo

  • I would like to see Volvich out of the team. The only MB worldwide is Musersky.

    With the others, he would take Kurkaev, Yakovlev and Vlasov to decide the last places for the Olympic games.


    Kovalev should be the team's main setter. The last slot would be between Kobzar, Grankin and Butko.

  • Poletaev still a no show both in SuperLeague and CL. Any news about him? It appears his injury was serious after all..


    Good news Kurkaev is now back in the court! I hope he can regain his pre injury form in the next couple of months

  • Kovalev should be the team's main setter. The last slot would be between Kobzar, Grankin and Butko.

    Kovalev can still be a bit unstable at times, there are some games where he is subbed by Poroshin in his club. Kobzar is my first choice as NT setter, you lose a bit height on the block but the way he run's Russia's middles is just a joy to watch. If I were the coach, I would forget about the veterans and just take Kobzar and Kovalev as they compliment really well IMO. VNL 2019 comes to mind :cheesy:

  • I'd honestly take Pankov over Kovalev. He'd probably be more helpful during the double substitution.


    Butko is having a nightmare season and I guess it's time for the new playmakers to take their place in the NT.

    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


    #FreeBritney

  • At the Olympics, I would Take:

    S:Kobzar,Kovalev

    OH:Kliuka,Volkov,Voronkov,Podlesnykh

    Opposite:Poletaev,Mikhaylov

    MB:Kurkaev,Iakovlev,Philippov

    L:Golubev


    I don t see any use in Butko and Volvich,Grankin is too old,Musersky didn't play well at wall in 2019( as a MB) ,this season is playing as a Opposite again in Japan.Just use the VNL team,The setters(Kobzar and Kovalev) have some chemistry with the other players (from playing in the same club or from the international competitions) something that cannot be said about Butko( His only chemistry is with Mikhaylov).And I believe Philipov is a stable MB that has a lot of use as a server specialist too.The problem will still be the reception ,Golubev is not that good as a receiver, more as a digger , and Kliuka and volkov is not the best pair when it comes to receiving.Make Berezko and Rodichev can be the substitutes in the place of Voronkov,Podlesnykh.I will hate that but maybe it will work.What are your thoughts about this? Maybe Russia should use 2 Libero (one for receiving and one of digging) and drop one of the OH?

  • Get rid off old setters, use Kovalev-Kobzar-Pankov in VNL and take best 2 to the Olympics. I want Kovalev to play as starter more in the VNL. Last season it was all Kobzar's and Kovalev came from bench all the time.


    For middles; Musersky and Kurkaev duo is locked but 3rd place is still open. I would take Iakovlev but an experienced player at the bench wouldn't be bad; Volvich.


    OH: Volkov, Kliuka, Podlesnykh, Voronkov

    OPP:Poletaev, Mikhaylov


    Libero is the weak spot of Russia.

  • Are you sure Musersky is still good? Last year he did nothing for the team.I will much have Philippov over him.And I believe Kobzar is the best Russian setter right now.

    Muserskiy had an operation last year and was not 100%. When he is healthy, he is still easily in the world's Top 3 MBs.

  • I still think the Federation will insist to take one of the veterans Butko/Grankin as bad as it seems to us fans. I don't think Grankin is too old judging from his recent games, he can still be a good backup setter. My pick would be Kobzar-Grankin duo.

  • Is Oreol Camejo available for Russia National Team for the Olympics? If yes, he's 100% going as 3rd wide-receiver (after Volkov and Kliuka) - 4th receiver will be Podlesnykh, in my opinion, because he's a hybrid like Volkov. Coaches right now build teams having offensive-defensive wide-receiver. In my opinion, it would be Volkov-Kliuka and Podlesnykh-Camejo.


    My today's roster for Olympics:

    Setter: Kovalev/Kobzar

    Opposite: Poletaev/Mikhaylov

    Middle-blocker: Yakovlev, Kurkaev, Muserskiy

    Wide-receiver: Volkov, Kliuka, Camejo, Podlesnykh

    Libero: Golubev (or Kabeshov)


    On paper, they really look like an all-around, powerful and quality team. My prediction: bronze medal.

  • I thought since Muserskiy is also neutralized player, you cannot have another one.

  • If so, neither Muserskiy or Camejo are going because Egor Kliuka is from Belarus - he received Russian citizenship in 2014.

    Dang I forgot this little detail, considering Kliuka played in Rio and Muserskiy did not (also Butko). This is probably a game-changer seeing as Kliuka and Muerskiy are widely regarded as the best in their positions in NT. Then it makes sense why Grankin is being called back. Re Camejo, he's not playing anything special to be called to the NT in my opinion.


    So in a nutshell, only one of Kliuka/Muserskiy can play in the team at a time. Does that seem about right? In 2012 OG, Muserskiy and Butko played together (and both are naturalized players) so what am I missing here.

  • If the rule about 1 available naturalized player in the National Team on Olympics is true, it seems about right.


    If healthy, it's going to be Kliuka, 100%.


    As long as Iakovlev and Kurkaev are going to be starters, they don't need Muserskiy that bad.


    What's more, there's not a significant difference between Butko and Kovalev/Kobzar/Pankov/Poroshin this season.

    Kovalev and Kobzar were both the most important setters for Russia in 2019, so I think they're both going.