2025 Women’s VNL

    Congrats Poland! Final four will be more fun with a stacked stadium of energetic fans :drink: Damaske is so explosive and very fun to watch.


    Also kuddos to China, even though they lost I'm stil happy to see them play this way. Wu MJ and Zhuang YS have really grown into their starter role. It would be great tho if Li YY could be back for WCH - even if it's just on the bench to relieve some stress if one of them is struggling, as the current subs are even less experienced than Wu/Zhuang. Gong as receiving opposite is a joy as always and can do no wrong in my book :rose:. Zhang Zixuan could give master classes on how to set accurately, although in the end the backrow sets to Wu got a bit predictable. Still an impressive showing for her and I'm excited to follow her journey! Wang YY performed exactly as I expected her to but that second MB slot is their main weakness for now. Still a lot of potential for the team to grow, once the bench deepens (which was the game-changer for Poland) I'm sure they'll compete for the medals :box:

    I've said it a few times here that China needs experienced players in certain positions for these moments.


    Zhang collapsed in the 5th set, and Yin's entry made no difference because she's as young as the starter.


    Chen had 0 blocks in 5 sets, and Poland played almost the entire match not good receiving.


    I really hope Xu and Gao returns to the WC.

    I agree with you. I’ve really enjoyed watching so many breakout young stars throughout the VNL. China is just one example of having a talented but young squad but would have benefited from some veteran experience. Many other teams could benefit from that.


    Having a player like Yuan X.Y., or even Zhu could have made a difference. The unfortunate injury of Li Y.Y I am sure ruined plans for this squad and I hope to see her back soon. They would be even stronger with her.


    My two cents is I’m all for giving the youngsters a chance to develop and experience high level games like this, trying out VALID different combinations in vnl, but when you’re in the quarterfinals and it’s crunch time, if one of these youngsters are struggling, you need someone who can step up amnd bring something diff, since the goal is to win, which it obviously is.


    I really liked how Lavarini handled Poland’s OH's specifically. Bringing in Damaske, who brought so much winning energy onto the court, and when Martyna Czyrnianska dipped a bit in the fifth set, Lukasik came in and cleaned it up. That, to me, is what true development looks like: a blend of veteran experience with rising talent. Giving young players many opportunities to grow, but you also push for the best result possible to expose these players. So I understand wanting to part from some veterans, but also having a veteran like Yuan who could have filled in would have been benficial. This applies to all teams as well.


    Congrats to Poland on a win at home, and to China for a good vnl campaign. This team is far from done.

    China played really well and they already defeated Poland before this so it's not that they're lacking veterans. You just can't win everything and Poland has the support of the home crowd everyone wants to win at home. I think they did amazing for a young team and I'd like them to keep this squad so they can be stable as possible using every experience they get.

    Chinese young setter is amazing! she is only 17 yo but play like from many years. China is lucky :win:

    I cant wait to see another 2 semifinals. Both can be on high lvl, especially I have feelings that Germany will fighting so hard. I cant predict for 100% results for both games.

    Quote from serdar

    Any predictions for today's games? I think:


    Turkey - Japan 3-2

    Brasil- Germany 3-1

    My predictions:

    Turkey - Japan 3-1

    Brasil- Germany 3-2

    All these one hand saves by Japan is very DOM