VNL 2021

    Silly mistakes + Brazil defending much better = Italian collapse.

    Nevertheless, Im more than pleased by the performance showed today. For 3 sets they competed with one of the best teams in the world, despite of the lack of experience.

    Italy could have been way more dangerous with other OPP. Nor Nelli nor Pinali have been reliable.

    Btw, Thales still doesnt convince me in defese. Way too slow.

    Quote from Realista

    Michieletto and Balaso should be starters in Tokyo at least level-wise, I wonder what Blengini will do with what we are seeing during VNL.

    I honestly think that Balaso has been way more consistent than Colaci in this last season. It will be a headache to decide who will be the starter for Tokyo. But Balaso is more than ready for that task.

    Maybe one of them could go as 4th OH, as Rossini did in Rio.

    Balaso is more than ready to be the starter. I agree that he and Michieletto should go to Tokyo -- Michieletto perhaps in Antonov's place? I don't even know why that guy is still called to the NT tbh.

    Quote from sandianando

    is that also part of the strategy? to distract the opponent focus? :rolll:

    Recine is also distracting, in a good way lol

    Quote from saishuu

    Balaso is more than ready to be the starter. I agree that he and Michieletto should go to Tokyo -- Michieletto perhaps in Antonov's place? I don't even know why that guy is still called to the NT tbh.

    Mainly because Italy has no alternative two years ago among OHs, that's why Antonov was a starter in 2019, but this year Lanza found some solid shape at the end of a season in Monza, Lavia and Michieletto improved a lot and Kovar returned to the NT. Antonov was called up again, but I don't think he'll make it this time.


    Michieletto should be a starter, he improved a lot in comparison to the league season offensively, he's not that much inexperienced considering he has played as a starter in Trentino for a majority of last season, but I don't trust Blengini that much. Balaso is coached by Blengini in a club, so I don't think he'll be snubbed, but we'll see.

    Slovenia is the undisputed king of tips :box:

    Quote from Realista

    Mainly because Italy has no alternative two years ago among OHs, that's why Antonov was a starter in 2019, but this year Lanza found some solid shape at the end of a season in Monza, Lavia and Michieletto improved a lot and Kovar returned to the NT. Antonov was called up again, but I don't think he'll make it this time.


    Michieletto should be a starter, he improved a lot in comparison to the league season offensively, he's not that much inexperienced considering he has played as a starter in Trentino for a majority of last season, but I don't trust Blengini that much. Balaso is coached by Blengini in a club, so I don't think he'll be snubbed, but we'll see.

    Yeah, I know, but still lol I do hope Antonov gets cut though. Kovar too, he's never done anything NT-wise. I would take Osmany, Michieletto, Lavia and Lanza.

    Slovenia MUST win today in order to be still in the race for the SF. Now they are 4th, but Russia is 5th and facing Germany in some hours.

    I know Russia has been super irregular, but I dont see them losing against a mixed German team when they do need a win.

    Quote from Leonardo.D

    Slovenia MUST win today in order to be still in the race for the SF. Now they are 4th, but Russia is 5th and facing Germany in some hours.

    I know Russia has been super irregular, but I dont see them losing against a mixed German team when they do need a win.

    not really, two wins will be most likely enough for them to qualify, remember Russia - Brazil and France - Poland in the last matchday, at least one of them will probably lose

    Slovenia still has to face Japan and Bulgaria. Against JPN, now that Nishida is back, Im not so sure if they can grab the full 3 points. Againt Bulgaria, we all know the answer.

    Poland is facing now Argentina (they might likely win) and then Iran and France.

    Brazil has already secured their ticket to SF with the win against Italy today. They have 35 points, which means they cant be overpassed by Russia, Slovenia nor France.

    I think Slovenia still remains 3rd seed even if they lose today (and win the remaining matches) but they have to count on Russia and France losing to Brazil and Poland respectively.