Display MoreAnd what to say about that i don't even put Lozo on the table at the time when i made this thread. Oftenly i have bigger hopes then reality from serbian players, but i just didn't have any big hopes about Lozo, not her being super bad or anything, just thought that she can't be a factor. I was so convinced of it, that I deliberately left her off the list. We all know how wrong I was, and i'm so happy because of outcome like that.
I just want to complete my impressions about our team and this competition.
Santareli - incredibly refreshing, it has been a pleasure to watch this team grow through the competition and consistently exceed my expectations. Such a dedication by him and wonderful relationship with the girls is definitely the main reason for that. I was really excited about his engagement, and now I am even more so. I think he can really continue the tradition of great results and continuity of winning medals, which he already proved with this BIG bronze. There is no doubt that the WCH will be a big challenge, but the platform developed during this competition is such a solid foundation that allows the team to meet that competition with great confidence and expectations.
Drča - since 2011 in the national team, she has never played this well, and above all nice volleyball. She had ups and downs, but game against Turkey was one of the best in her life. I honestly did not expect that she would play such a final after only 3 games played with this team.
I still want Maja in the team, but not necessarily because I think she would be a spectacular upgrade compared to Drca, but I am really afraid of Mirkovic as a back up (though she showed some quality in week 2,3), with Maja/Drca duo we can finally make a team with a truly long bench and that these two players complement each other perfectly at this moment.
Lozo - no words for her, she really deserved that best OH award, and in her case, as young player, almost new in this team, i think it was important, but so on it isn't first time that they choose by popularity/legacy instead of actual performance showe during competition. Every aspect of her game is really solid, except defense (she wasn't that bad at the final though), she really can improve that and Santarelli is actually the coach that really can help her. She is not the elite receiver but she is definetly isn't an black hole even in that department, can be and she was really solid at Finals, at least she always try to pass that high that even if it is not perfectly matching setter position it is pretty useful ball. Her block and serve are really good, especially the serve, she made such a great contribution with service line, that run in 5th set against USA was game decisive one. So smart attacker, her perception of the position of opposing defenders and blockers is really great, even though that spike run looks kind a slow, without any explosivity, which also fits her character, when she leaps up, she has a real eruption, she perfectly close it with her hand, and from her shoulders she adds super power to that attack, breaking the opponent's block or defense. And last but not least her calmness is such a big factor in whole impression about her which is amazingly great after this tournament.
Lazovic - she almost didn't play on the final tournament, and it's hard for me to say this, but it was the right decision, what's more, I expected something like that. She is still our most versatile attacker, but she can easily be neutralized by a high and mobile block. Against the USA, she would have almost no chance, I think she could have played against Brazil as a starter, but that wasn't by no means the reason for our defeat, we ran out of strength, nervousness got in the way and I'm not sure how much Lazovic would have helped. Her position and role in this team is still important and valuable, we finally have competitive lineup (between themselves) on OH position, and that is really great thing.
Buša - after almost whole year without volleyball and training first of all, this was amazing come back. Few really great games (aka against USA in prelim. phase and bronze medal match) which gives to me Fenerbahce vibes. Complete player with some limitations in attack, but contribute a lot in all other apsects. I would pair her and Lozo as our best OH lineup, but there is no need for some locking, as i said that i finally have confidence in our OH lineup.
Milenković - an elite receiver for sure, while her post injury attacking performance is really bad, but she was a important player and done really well against USA, so kudos to her, she fight and prove herself as valuable player for this team, even after such a bad season.
Mihajlovic - joker player, if she keeps improving she could be so so importan piece of
this team for WCH.
Aleksic and Stevanovic - I have nothing to add, except that they are truly worthy representatives on the position where Serbia has excelled for a decade and a half. Classy performance by both.
Pusic - I criticized the decision to ignore Jegdic a lot, I thought Pusic was solid but not more than that and another mistake on my part. She started the tournament a bit unstable (I mean the whole VNL), but she gradually raised the level of her games and really showed that she is world class in that position.
All in all, really amazing tournament for our team, my expectations before the tournament were fear and coming to terms with the "reality" that there is a big possibility that we won't make it to the final tournament at all, the girls being led by the energy and knowledge of the new coach, I was gradually presented with a completely different reality, raising my expectations. It was a pleasure to follow this tournament, congratulations to everyone.
WCH team (my prediction/wish)
S: Drča, Maja/Mirković
OPP: Bošković, Bjelica
OH: Lozo, Buša, Lazović, Milenković, Mihajlović
MB: Aleksić, Stevanović, Popović
L: Pušić, Popović S.*/Djurdjevic
*Popovic said that she is open to join the team, so if she will be called by Santarelli, and because he really don't
have any trust in Djurdjevic obviously, Silvija's big experience and quality after all, can't make a damage. OTOH maybe we should just give a chance to youngsters. I don't know, if there would be a big difference between Popovic and Djurdjevic during the preparation, then I would choose Popovic, but otherwise Djurdjevic would be my choice
Agree most parts but I think it is a bad idea to bring only 3 middles to WCh. It is almost a month long tournament, with so many games. In the case of an injury, it could mess everything. If Mihajlovic will join it should be instead of Bjelica. Assuming Boskovic will play almost all matches, it might not be a bad idea to bring only one Opp. But I'm not sure current Mihajlovic is really better than Bjelica
