Posts by Brazildk

They will have to hide Golubev in the reception line today!

Good start by Russia today

Can you take Golube out, please?

Quote from saishuu

I went to check his Instagram and found this

Russia served and blocked better in this second set.

Palacios the weak link in the Argentinian side so far.

Great start by the Argentinian side.

I hope Russia don't get nervous and manage to revert this.

Quote from Jules

the same said about lazarenko and players that were silver in 2017 or the team from 2013

Reality we are living it

I don't get too enthusiastic about younger players anymore either. Omoruye for example was one of the best players in this tournament and we all have seen what happened with her against pro players in VNL.

Having said that, I think that some of these girls showed potential. I liked Suvorova and Kozar from past tournaments already and Akimova was good here too.

But let's wait and see them in the professional teams!

Lanza out is really surprising. I understand giving a chance to Michieletto, but Lanza should be considered first when compared to Kovar and Lavia.

Galassi over Ricci and Mazzone is also odd for me too.

As for Balaso, although I believe he really deserved it, it wasn't really a surprise, which is a shame as for me he may be the libero in the best shape atm.

I think the list is very reasonable and fair.

I also feel bad for Vlasov, because it was clear that he worked really hard to improve his flaws, but the others are also deserving, and I don't think there's club preference in this choice - Yakovkev was the favourite of many, the best non-jumping server, and hopefully will be display a good level.

I didn't understand this move from Dijkema either. She could definitely find a better team...

Well done Brazil!!

Semeniuk didn't really enter well.

I wonder if Heynen will try Semeniuk-Sliwka in the next set.

Leon seems nervous.

Brazilian attackers on a good day

The problem with Kerminen is that he is not much better - For me, he didn't have a good season in Moskow. Hopefully, one of the youngsters will develop and present a decent level.

A dream would be Grebennikov's naturalisation, but that won't happen I am just mentioning it because he said in an interview that he is happy to play in Russia cause that has always been his desire since his childhood times, and that he was a typical Russian kid that dreamt about playing for the NT.

Kobzar and Pankov will probably share playing time, the libero as expected is the weakest link in the team, and Max due to his great form will be a firm starter.

OH: Besides Kliuka-Volkov (both irregular), Podlesnykh should be selected as he is a more balanced player. I personally would also call Voronkov mainly to help in reception, but I highly doubt it. Bogdan will probably be selected, and I even think he may be ahead of Podlesnykh in Sammelvuo's ranking, which is weird because I don't think he played that well ( Still my crush though ) I don't see Semyshev coming back either.

MB: This is the most difficult decision. Firstly, we can't assess Yakovlev's current condition, but in normal conditions, he should take one spot. Vlasov, improved A LOT his blocking skills, Kurkaev got better throughout the tournament and Volvich showed more versatility. I know People dislike Volvich, and before VNL I wouldn't have put him in contention too, but he proved his worth and to me, especially his consistent floating service is a plus, something the team lacks and that can bring stability when the team starts to recklessly make serve errors.
In all fairness, all of them deserve for different reasons, so I won't be mad at any choice. I would lean more towards Vlasov, Volvich and either Kurkaev/Yakovlev cause they are more alike.

And then there is Musrskiy. It is weird cause at the same time that I believe he is incredible, he didn't show it, and I don't really know where he can fit in this team. Poletaev also fell short of expectation again.

Let's wait and see now. There might also be 3 OPPs and 3 OHs, so to accommodate Muserskiy and Poletaev. Sport Gazzetta also rumoured to bring 2 liberos and 3 OHs which hopefully won't happen.

Kubiak likes provocation, and although I also find it childish the term he used is still within that spectrum IMO.

As for Vital's remarks, it needs a through investigation and if he's found guilty, proper punishment should be applied.

Unless there is some health issue with Zatorski this is really ridiculous.

The logic happended with the OHs and MBs. OPP was the biggest question mark for me and either had its pros and cons.

That service run from Volvich in the beginning made the difference.

Besides that, the game lacks a bit of intensity, which is understandable due to the circumstances.

Considering the lineups, both Brazil and Russia want to win regardless of the match's worth.

Quote from Husky123

IMO, Yaroslav, Bogdan, Poletaev, Vlasov, Volvich, and Yakovlev (at least some points) must play against Brazil in order to define the subs. Russia is likely to be eliminated from VNL anyway

I guess that will depend on the previous results as it's the last match but I would like to see that too regardless of the outcome.