Posts by Brazildk

I just cannot believe it.

I can understand the silence due to sanctions and punishments, but some deliberately choose to speak up and face the unknown consequences and that is why I have to state my admiration for Ekaterina Gamova, her works and statements clearly against it speaks volume.

War is sad, period.

But when it reaches sports and people we follow it adds an additional uneasiness.

I have always been a been of Russia in sports, and although in the beginning, I was not pro some measures against them, as the time passes by, it is harder and harder to defend.

I hope I don't see any of my favourite players like Kliuka, Bogdan, Yakovlev, Mikhailov and so on in this war, would rather see them retiring or seeking refuge than battling a pointless war.

I could not watch much of this year's season, but this was one of those cases that exemplify how single matches are not really the best indicator of the best team!

Kazan deserved the title, and to be honest it was sort of boring to see Dinamo winning after such an underwhelming season. Would have preferred Lokomotiv to prevail a lot more.

Not much to say, apart from Zenit's continued deception...

Quote from Bogdan

Maksim Buculjevic (SRB - S) and Petar Krsmanovic (SRB - MB) officialy in Vojvodina Novi Sad.

Krsmanovic is not young anymore but after a couple of good seasons in Russia and a slot in Serbian NT I'd expect him in a better team...

As a momentaneous measure, it is correct to exclude them so as to incentive a stop at this ridiculous war, but in the longer term, as some stated, would make absolutely no sense.

I haven't been able to follow closely this season, but in all fairness, this story about the captaincy seems more like a gossip
than anything.

Sammelvuo is stubborn sometimes and in Zenit, he is definitely not doing a good job, but I don't see his "Kuzbass" boys as a feud.
Podlesnykh for example even after successful years in the club team did not secure a spot on NT, Poletaev never managed to be in the starting six, Butko only lost his spot because he was really bad, otherwise, it would not happen soon...

Anyways, I hope Zenit improves and shows what they are capable of.

https://sport.business-gazeta.ru/article/271008

Were I living in a rock or something?

I don't remember any news mentioning a new doping suspension.

Anyways, it makes more sense now the reason he was used more times after such a good season in Japan.

Unfortunately, there's always about 5% who have bad experiences with customs. Some places more than others, but everyone is liable to have a bad employee, even the best of places... What surprise is that he probably had a lot of paperwork to probe everything, so it should have been easier to sort it all out.

PS - it doesn't happens only with non-europeans.

I personally think it is good for Kliuka to play as OPP sometimes. It can help him to have more firepower at clutch moments as he gets too passive at times.

Considering Kliuka's switch, and the experimental character of this team, it is quite hard to fathom why the coach hasn't rotated more throughout the competition - there were aplenty of chances to give more playing time to others...

Let's see now against Poland. Although they are clear the favourtites I wouldn't rule Russia out.

I had high hopes too, but so far he hasn't lived up to the expectations.

Since his time in Belogorie, those "small" injuries would always come up, so...

I am also glad to see Voronkov back as I thought his non-friendly exit of Kazan could backfire on him.

Quote from psganzon

There is really something fishy going on. The fact that lazarenko is not even on a wide pool surprises me. Like wth, lazarenko has the best stats during superleague. And you put a midget kotova on MB position. Lol

Sorry but there's nothing fishy about it. People see and evaluate differently.

I would choose Kotova as well and I know there are others that would so too.

Lazarenko is a good attacker but a slow blocker so there's no point in bringing a lot of players with the same profile.

PS. But I agree that maybe in the wide roster she should be.

Quote from inc0gnito

In light of Poletaev's injury, Semyshev was called in NT for preparation of ECH. I hope he won't get the boot this time after being called last minute Russia has now 5 OH, I don't think they will take all of them.. Podlesnykh could use a rest IMO I know his wife just had a newborn child

Yes, I don't think he would be called last minute to be booted, so I expect one of the others OHs to be.

It is unfortunate for Poletaev again... The bright side is that we may be able to see how Klets display his game in the international stage. Although I think Zhigalov will be the starter, which would be understandable too as he is more experienced and did a good enough season.

I think it is the right time to test non experienced players. Also glad Kotova and Enina will be able to display their game.

I just think it is not a balanced team on the pins. Who is going to receive?? The liberos aren't inspiring either so it is likely to become an unbalanced team on the reception line, which can trouble both middles and attackers with b/c passes.

Quote from saishuu

Some news (source)

- Wallace has retired from the NT. It seems he announced to the team in Tokyo that the OGs were his last competition.

- Leal is not playing the next South American Championship next month. He's off to Cuba to work on some documentation.

- Bruno and Lucarelli have expressed their desire to continue playing for the NT at least until Paris.

- Renan is as good as renewed as head coach.

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In a post final match interview Lucão also expressed his desire to stay.

Good news!

There's no need for him to play ECh and we also need Poletaev to get more playing time.

In 2019 he was flying, you are right, but past season he was nowhere near, so we can just hope he returns to that level and maybe even excel - learning how to deal with high balls.

I hope they choose Klets as sub for Each, but Zhigalov is also acceptable.

Congrats USA - The team that managed to somewhat keep a good level.

The truth is that this final was just the reflection of the whole tournament.

Could we replay it?

Quote from Husky123

Well, this loss hurts, but not so much because of the almost near-comeback of Russia.

Sammelvuo needs to make this team better and be ready for WCh at home and Paris 2024.

OH: I like Volkov, but he's a choker... so, Russia needs new OHs on the bench. Semyshev, Voronkov, or even Tethyukin Jr could be great options. Yaroslav, Volkov, and Kliuka must stay.

MB: Well, I hope this is Volvich's last tournament. Vlasov and Lyzik should be the four MBs along with Iakovlev and Kurkaev.

S: Pankov, Kobzar, and Abaev should fight for the two spots.

Op: Hope Maxim continues... Poletaev is good, but he's not Russian NT material IMO. I mean, Russia needs an opposite that kills OOS balls... Sammelvuo should prepare Klets (2.10) and Sapozhkov (2.20) for the role if he wants to be a gold-medal contender in Paris

L: I. Fedorov.

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I second that!!

I just can't talk much about Ilya Fedorov cause I've only seen him play once or twice...

Congrats France!

I am okay with France winning, but not with the way it has unfolded with mistakes by Mikhailov - He didn't deserve that

Kudos to Russia for fighting back.

Podlesnykh deserves a mention as he helped o stabilize the reception/defense and coupled with good serves ( Similar to MIkahilov - rarely an ace but often one that turn into a pass B)