Even if... How could this be related with the official transfers?
2026 started in the worst possible way.
I wanted to post it on the USAWNT thread. But I did a mistake. Moderators are free to move it to the correct thread.
And I do agree with the last sentence.
It's so ironic that the year Russia returns to competition is the same year the USA is banned 🥲
What a disgrace for this sport that next WCH will be host by that country 🥲
So 63 years had to pass in order Men’s and Women‘s WCHs were won by the same country. Last time it was done by the URSS
Why is Bulgaria's coach speaking Italian during timeouts? Do all Bulgarian starters know Italian?
Some matches ago it was explained by VWVb commentators that most Bulgarian players are fluent or understand Italian.
And also because Blengini’s English level is comical: his pupils would barely understand what he wants to communicate. His interview with Clayton yesterday was 😶🌫️
At the end, Italian is the vball language.
A bit off topic, but DJ’s cupo es have been atrocious in the final round. Not only the songs, but the volume and so on.
Hope they will improve for 2029, it is not a disco ball room.
Even though Blengini is far to be my fav coach, he was damn right in the TO: Bulgaria is playing well tactically, but they are lacking of attitude in the key points, as if they dont believe in what they are doing.
Sure, Italy is the favourite, but despite the inexperience, Bulgaria has the tools for competing for the gold.
It seems , so far, the Balkan team is more than ok with a medal. If they change the chip, they could really have a chance.
So after two 3-0 de fears in finals, Italy take revenge and beat Polska with the same score.
To be honest, before the WCH started and even before the collapse of the main fav, I didnt see Italy arriving to the final and having the chance to defend their title. After the loss against Belgium, they totally changed the chip. Congrats for them.
Regarding Polska, I also think they could have done more in this match, at least winning a set and pushing more Italy. Komenda’s choices were very bold. I also consider the fact that no facing any “strong” rival before the SFs backfired Poland.
Βottolo is a disaster in the attack...
He is struggling a lot, missed many counter attacks. But it seems he kept the best for the end of the sets.
I think Karch lost it keeping Garcia on the court.
Gabi García ended with 9 points in 5 sets, 20% efficiency 😶🌫️
For an OPP, in a QF, this performance is subpar.
I didnt watch the whole match, but was García even benched?
well, Iran threw the chance with captain spiking that slash out in the second set..at least the other teams in the semifinals will have medal, CZE don't have any chance to beat the other 3 teams
I do agree. All respect and congrats to CZE for their massive achieved goal after reaching SFs after I dont know how many decades.
But the level they have shown so far isnt enough for competing against Italy, Poland and USA/Bulgaria.
I could see them grabbing a medal if the other team suffer a hearbreaking loss in SFs.
Italia Demolished Belgium. Besides everybody played much better than in the previous match against BEL, I honestly think Giannelli played way better, above the charts and this was the key.
Actually, besides Belgium’s context, this might be the best game of Italy in this WCH.
However, not sure if it would be enough in order to beat Poland (in case they advance).
Display MoreI've read a lot of fuss about Danesi's book and I do believe the translation really missed the sense of what Anna was trying to share. Some words in Italian have a meaning that can be lost or misread when translated, so I underlined and bolded them.
Here's the snippet of the part where she described her perspective of the pool stage game:
To sum it up:
1) she talked about having a bone to pick against a very strong, tough and well-coached Turkish team;
2) she went through the challenges one has to face when playing against Vargas and Karakurt, both regarded as very strong, physical and able to make everybody feel their presence on court, with gestures that aim to intimidate the opponent. Their haircuts and tattoos contribute significantly to the overall aura and she feels like one has to take the courage up to face the challenge;
3) she expressed the challenge of playing in front of a Turkish crowd, even in a neutral venue. The fans are able to make some big noise and this gives even more energy to an already pumped up team, so the challenge was to not be bothered by that competitiveness and these eyes of the tiger and respond to this simply playing the game;
4) she felt like the more Italy played smoothly, the less Turkish player were able to maintain these eyes of the tiger, looking more and more like kittens.
And here's the snippet describing the semifinal:
To sum it up:
1) she hasn't rewatched the match yet, but she remembered a lot of Fahr's block on Vargas and her block on Güneş;
2) she remembered Karakurt having an unusual head-down look, almost like a lamb, a striking difference from other mathces, considering she's always pumped up like a dragon ready to breath fire;
3) she admitted she doesn't find the Turkish team very likeable and felt like it was a double pleasure to beat them twice in the same tournament.
I understand that some might not like some of this takes, but accusing her of being evil, worse, or racist (like most of this X accounts wrote) is out of place. They better shitstorm idiots like Salvini, Vannacci or Pillon instead of Danesi.
I strongly believe that Danesi words were heavily misunderstood and lost in translation. Whoever speaks Italian notices that her words could be controversial, but they were not racist or discriminatory at any moment.
It reminds me the big fuss caused by Santarelli’s word during a TO against Brazil, when he said the famous “They do not have quality”, but it was more than obvious for anyone with two drops of common sense that he clearly intended that Brazilian team did not have quality in that passage of the match, he meant in that rotation or when someone Brazil doesn’t have good reception. Even though he could also be labelled as provocative (and I do agree), he never disrespected at all Brazilian team or their history at the sport.
But people choose what to believe and most of social networks in Brazilian despise Santarelli cuz of this.
I think this is the end of De Cecco’s career, after playing 6 WCH 🥲
I honestly think Argentina could have advanced in another bracket, today they didn’t play bad, as Mendez pointed out, Italy put way more pressing on serve.
Pity, because this team is very fun to watch when they are all playing on sync.
Vicentin is playing a good match a second time in a row. It's a MIRACLE
. Despite loosing the first set they have a serious opportunity today.
I do agree. Argentina might have an opportunity today, they are playing without fear, digging as crazy, etc.
Palonsky is playing a bit below than against France, Kukartsev defo below, but the rest is giving it all.
Italy vs Argentina is really delivering, high level vball. De Cecco is schooling Gianelli so far. Southamericans only had 2 mistakes in the first set, but Italian fire power is defo stronger.
I didnt see it coming at all, maybe a hard fight and that’s all. But Egypt have just beaten up Iran 3-1.
i wouldnt it call it a mega upset, but still an upset.
Likewise, Finland almost stuns Argentina some hours ago. The SouthAmericans needed to come from a 0-2 deficit and legendary De Cecco had to come from the bench in order to re organise the team.
The first round has not still finished and this WCH is delivering 🫡
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DOURcgxDocl/
I dony know if someone has already shared this reel, but I really like it and I would like to maybe re shared it. These are some words from Paula Pequeno after the difficult loss Brazil suffered against Italy.
I will try my best, cuz it has been a while I dont practice my Portuguese, but she said this :
"I want to speak to all the volleyball fans and everyone who follows us. Don't be so cruel, don't be so heartless. Many have no idea what it's like inside, what people are facing, it's very difficult. Especially for such a young girl. Brazil already did the same thing with Mari in 2004. (The other commentator asks: Are we going to create a new Mari?) Paula responds: No, we're not, because we're going to shield her from now on, from now on. People should be more educated, show compassion during this time, since she (Julia B) has a lot of volleyball to show. She has evolved absurdly; remember that against France she had a very good performance, scoring 17 points. For me, it's very clear: Brazil already did it with Mari, and now we're not going to allow them to do the same to Julia B, not at all; let her get stronger; she has a promising future. Bergmann, we're here from the booth to defend you and cheer for you."
Personally, I do love her words, Paula has been such a fresh air in the comments, but here, I found her so human, humble and empathic. Especially cuz she is being accountable and knows how some of her own connationals could be (and are). As someone said before, now social network is much much worse than in 2004, when Mari was practically lynched when she was 19 yo.
do you know where I can watch the previous matches like the QF etc?
You can watch some matches here too:
https://www.latina.pe/voley-por-latina/#google_vignette
It is a Peruvian tv channel, no VPN needed. There are the final, bronze medal match, semi finals, all quaterfinals and some pool phase matches (especially the South American teams ones: BRA, COL, ARG).
I dont know how FB Will manage all this foreigners players. But Alessia adds something that FB needs. More defense. She is great on this aspect.
I do agree. Orro skills in all the other departments are good or way above the average the setter: pretty good blocker or she slows down some attacks, stable serve, very good defense for a setter (she dug Vargas many times in the tie-break, as if she were a libero). The point is that her main duty is to set, and there is the worst setter among the top teams.
