2024 Paris Olympic Games

    Quote from Mimek

    I don’t agree about that hate towards Koslowski. The Dutchies have the potential for sure, but they also have their limitations. I feel like some of you act like we have another China - Tokio 2020 case ^^ Don’t get me wrong, but I don’t think that they belong to the world TOP8 right now, even the ranking says it. Qualifying for the Olympics is already a huge achievement for them, I was sure that Canada would make it, as they have better players looking at the positions. They won the bronze at the last ECH, which is also a great result. But they are among the youngest teams, so who knows what the future brings. I somehow agree about Plak, but Dambrink isn’t the answer (yet). And if you are that mad at Felix, I’m sure that the Germans would be so happy to welcome him back :lol: at least the fans.

    The Netherlands have the pieces to be much better than they performed. Last year Koslowski should have concluded that Reesink/Dambrink/Plak should be let go. Think out of the box and convert OH (Buijs) to OPP/ keep Marring as OPP instead of converting her to OH. And OH to libero (Hester/ Grothues). I know Grothues retired from NT but these conversations could have taken place and I believe there was good chance she returned for olympics. Guidetti turned Stam from OH to one of best libero at Rio olympics.


    But I agree that the squad Koslowski went with is not top8. But they have potential stronger squad not utilized by his choice.

    Interesting to see at the combined ranking that Poland is ranked 4th while they have more points than China that is ranked 3rd. Poland also have the same set ratio as Italy (2nd) but better points ratio.
    The top three of the final ranking will be composed of those three teams that will top their group.

    Quote from Joyajoelle

    Interesting to see at the combined ranking that Poland is ranked 4th while they have more points than China that is ranked 3rd. Poland also have the same set ratio as Italy (2nd) but better points ratio.
    The top three of the final ranking will be composed of those three teams that will top their group.

    What counts first is the postion in your pool, not the number of wins or points. China is 1st in Pool A, Poland is second in Pool B.

    Quote from SR71

    Koga said to her teammates "I'm sorry I failed you all"


    ;(


    Apparently Nishida is not allowed to watch her games and vice versa. Which is weird? I guess only non-athlete spouses can go to the venue? Fans have spotted him waiting for her outside the south paris arena

    It’s very probable that Poland will finish 4th or 5th even if they lose 0-3 or 1-3 and USA has a high chance of finishing 4th or 5th as well so could be potentially another Poland USA match on paper :D seems like they play each other all the time..

    As of now my predictions are (based on Brazil beating Poland, China beating Serbia and Italy beating Turkey):


    Brazil - Dominican Rep

    Italy - Serbia

    China - Turkey

    Poland - USA

    Quote from voly

    Apparently Nishida is not allowed to watch her games and vice versa. Which is weird? I guess only non-athlete spouses can go to the venue? Fans have spotted him waiting for her outside the south paris arena

    I've always wondered if you have a family member or a spouse who is also competing in the Olympics can they not watch too?


    USA volleyball players both men and women brought their lovers, partners along with all their extended family:lol:

    Quote from SR71

    I've always wondered if you have a family member or a spouse who is also competing in the Olympics can they not watch too?


    USA volleyball players both men and women brought their lovers, partners along with all their extended family:lol:

    stupid rule.


    how is the ioc going to include 2 packs of condoms in the olympic kit but won't let their athlete family members and partners watch their games

    Quote from SR71

    Koga said to her teammates "I'm sorry I failed you all"


    ;(


    It’s heartbreaking ;(

    But girl you have given your best already, it’s more like your teammates failed you, you can’t do all the things alone;(;(

    Hope she can get over it soon and won’t feel so regret when looking back at her career in the future.

    Quote from voly

    Apparently Nishida is not allowed to watch her games and vice versa. Which is weird? I guess only non-athlete spouses can go to the venue? Fans have spotted him waiting for her outside the south paris arena

    Wait, is this an IOC/FIVB rule or just for the Japanese teams? I can't imagine Anne not being able to watch Brazil tomorrow to support Carol (unless the match is sold out or sth)

    Quote from volleyball22

    what's cringe about it? she's the captain of the team and they didn't advance to the quarterfinals of the olympics, when they definitely had higher goals, she's feeling responsible as it's part of the role of a team captain. Plus she's emotional because she's retiring. Nothing cringe for me.

    It's cringe because sounds like god/hero complex and insulting to her teammates. No one expected her to carry Japan alone, this is a team sport, not even the big 4 can come anywhere near winning a match on their own.

    Quote from bobaas

    What counts first is the postion in your pool, not the number of wins or points. China is 1st in Pool A, Poland is second in Pool B.

    i had understood all poules would be grouped together and then the ranking would be based upon number of wins first, then points. But apparently I was wrong and ranking 1-3 will be 3 first, 4-6 3 second, 7-9 3 third placed teams

    JPN has this weird star player system that puts the scoring load into a player AND uses it as part of their team 'campaigns'. Last time, it was Kurugo who suffered a breakdown of sorts that caused her to miss almost two years of play. I think this OGs, it was her. There is a heavy toll for this spot AND I think she probably feels sad since she failed to lead them to a Quarters spot.

    Quote from litolapid

    JPN has this weird star player system that puts the scoring load into a player AND uses it as part of their team 'campaigns'. Last time, it was Kurugo who suffered a breakdown of sorts that caused her to miss almost two years of play. I think this OGs, it was her. There is a heavy toll for this spot AND I think she probably feels sad since she failed to lead them to a Quarters spot.

    Koga had the failure in 2016 to make the team, and Saori Kimura was a mentor to her. Saori was a mother hen when she was the captain and did not want to damage the younger players under her and would never scold them in person. Even when I felt that she needed to do something, she never did it.

    Even now, Koga still looks to Saori, being a wife and mom, and she wanted to take responsibility for the team's actions and results as the captain.

    In my opinion she got about as much out of the current team as she could. She wanted to help her teammates succeed, and get a good result. Sometimes it does not happen and this game can show that expectations and results can vary in single game playoffs.

    Kurogo kind of felt by showing up, and will power was needed to succeed, without realizing that in high school, you can kind of do that. But in the international game, you really need your teammates to enable you reach higher. Kurogo is better for having taken the year off and coming back with a different view of volleyball.

    About Koga I think that her reaction was reasonable. Team has bigger prospects and they do not manage to qualify not even as a third best. Koga was the best player of the team and usually was a score machine who carried the team in the most of the matches . She was the most important player and she just play really bad when they needed her most. Yes for sure the teamwork matters in this level but she could carry them further if she had played good against Brazil. She was the ONLY who could really step forward and do this necessary extra thing and everyone including her knew that. They could go further given the level which they played in VNL and also was their last chance for something good before the star of the team retires. So its really hard for all of them because they know that the next season will be weaker.

    Personally I was really sad when I saw that she will stop volleyball. I thought: An other wasted talent. If she choosed to play in the highest level in Italy or Turkey probably we would have a second Gabi but unfortunately it is what it is. I hope that best to her <3<3<3