i agree with samba player except for:
1) i think China is not in red group any more. The new players have so many problems and i am pretty sure that veterans won't be back to NT again. (only ZhouSuhong has possibility to be back, but she needs to take care of her husband so i think the chance is little too.) If you guys followed some matches in the Chinese League, you will find that we really can't see the future. and unlike USA we can still hope for great players to come back from oversea leagues, almost all players play in Chinese League, the coach doesn't have many choices in the players' selection at all.
2) i think Dominican Republic should be in orange group too as they are improving these years. They have young and talented players but they need to improve their stability and reduce errors.
another point: should be count the matter of pool composition of WCH when ranking the NTs level?
as we all know there will be probably 6 teams(BRA, ITA, NED, USA, CUB, GER) or more to fight for 2 semi-final spots in pool B+C second round. and on the other hand in pool A+D there will be much easier to qualify for semi-final.
if this factor should be counted, then i definitely will put China back to red group again as they have a better draw.
@ mateo
i just heard the news of Baranska and it is really a big shock for me that she probably can't play in WCH. (well, Baranska shocked me these days not only because of her injury, sorry for
) I know players in oversea leagues and those in the 3 teams participated in Champions'League only, don't have much knowledge about the other players in Polish league. Any promising OHs among the young players? If use Jagielo+some heavy hitter without reception as OHs will be a disaster for Poland's reception, then the setter will push every ball to Kasia and then the MBs will be totally hidden 