Posts by kittosuni

Quote from bibetron

I agree that Busato could have fielded a starting six that is a mix of experienced and newbies and rotate them alternately. Maybe that way, the newbies wouldn't struggle much? Hopefully, we'll see Anna Lazareva next week. Are there chances we'll see Lazarenko and Enina in NT in this tournament?

Lazarenko or Enina did not even make the wide roster so If they want to subout Malygina and Brovkina it will be Kotova and Efimova.

We will definitely see A. Lazareva in the 4th week along with Romanova and Malova. And maybe Parubets. Those 6 players will be sub in.

Week 1 is complete and I would say the girls played better than I expected.

Bright spots were Fedorovtseva and Smirnova and that they need to play starter next week.

Voronkova’s reception and FD have been commendable too.

Gonch played as expected but will not be able to sustain this kind of level especially with a long tourney and tougher opponents.

Liberos played subpar especially Pilipenko. As a newbie Zaysteva played ok.

Setters were ok. Predictable sets but it is expected with their poor reception. Lazareva seems to be a liability in the net.

The biggest let down are the middles. Malygina and Brovkina were making points against the Ned but because they move awkward and slow and Ned get caught on their feet. What the heck happened Fetisova?? We know her blocking is her biggest asset but its been non-existent. it is frustrating to watch because we know there are girls back home who are better but for whatever reason are being left out.

I think Russia really need to transition out with the Gonch/Koshe/Start era now and just have Smirnova, Fedo and Lazareva/Matveeva start every game next week and see who survives since we already know those three are going to the OG then just integrate Lazareva, Malova, Romanova in the later weeks.

Russia brought in the jump servers. Kotova would have been perfect with this team with her float serve.

Reception was poor but good thing they were out hitting Germany.

It was 3-0 but it was a scrappy win by the girls. This should be a confidence booster going in with the more difficult teams.

I went back to watch some of Tulitsa’s matches where Malygina played middle to understand why she is selected to the NT and I can’t find any convincing reason(trust me i tried). In fact i just realized how slow she is in closing blocks and always late. She lacks assertiveness and court sense. She is always lost. The only good thing I found is that she serves ok.

Im just hoping that there is some sort of miracle Busato is trying to pull by choosing her over the likes of Enina.

I honestly think we need young coaches to lead us next quad. Verbov is my top pick

Quote from inc0gnito

Ankle injury but looks like it is nothing major, but he will definitelt be out for the entire VNL. Kurkaev will be the titular maybe along with Muserskiy.

i think Vlasov will start along with Kurkaev instead of Musersky just because Vlasov played amazing in the club and I assume the coaches will want to see if that translate to international games.

Musersky will probably flipflop doing MB/opp but mostly opp just to get him in the grove and see if he is up to the new task since I believe that will be his primary role if he makes the OG team

unlike the women’s side the men seems to have a clear strategy and game plan and the guys seems to know what role they have to accomplish which is really good.

Quote from Husky123

VNL Roster

S: Startseva, Matveeva, Lazareva

Op: Goncharova, Smirnova, Gorbunova

Oh: Kosheleva, Voronkova, Fedorovtseva, Pipunyrova, Kapustina (Sazonova)

Mb: Koroleva, Fetisova, Brovkina, Malygina

L: Pilipenko, Zaytseva

It seems some players (Malova, Romanova, Lazareva, Efimova, etc) will be added in the middle of the competition replacing the newbies.

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I might have missed it but I did not see any of those players in Kosheleva’s vlog in the NT training

Iakovlev is out of VNL and Musersky moved to middle. Ivan probably sustained some injury recently since he has been training with the team and just posted pics yesterday about their training for VNL. Musersky will still probably be tested as opposite in some games. Im just not sure why they did not fill the whole 18 man squad since VNL is a long tourney and injury and burnout are big possibility especially having no time to regroup and recoup before OG

Quote from inc0gnito

With so many stars in this Russian squad, Sammelvuo needs to be careful to establish who are his "main" players, and who will play the role as backup/substitutes. Assuming both Kobzar and Pankov go, will he make Kobzar the main tie-in? Will Mikhaylov start over Muserskiy/Poleaev? He needs to be careful not to rotate the players more than what is needed, I think this was one of the biggest criticism of him during ECH 2019, Russia didn't establish a clear 'starting six'.

He can mix up guys when playing with weaker teams but I think he needs to use the main players against teams like USA, Italy or Brazil.

I don't know but my gut feeling is that only one of Pankov or Kobzar is going and will be paired with the winner between Butko and Kovalev. It just makes sense to bring 2 different setters with different setting tempo instead on 2 who are very similar.

Quote from inc0gnito

I have mixed emotions with Muserskiy playing OPP. He showed excellent numbers in Japan yes, but Japanese block is of course nowhere near the best. Against top teams, I fear Muserskiy will not that be effective since he will be slower due to his size and mostly likely his age. In ECH 2019, we saw Muserksiy as MB and he didn't play too great add another 2 years to today.. Good thing we have VNL to see if this will pay off..

Speaking of VNL, I think this will be Vlasov's litmus test if he can finally break though to the A Team. He had a great club season, but his past stints with the NT were not really successful. I hope he can finally make it

I mean Sammelvuo have to test Musersky because aside from Mikhailov and Poletaev, there is really no one to choose from. Zhigalov is an Ok player but not outstanding. There is definitely scarcity of good opposite player to choose from in Russia.

Vlasov will be playing side by side with most of his club teammates with Pankov setting so hopefully that will help. I'm just so impressed that Sammelvuo actually included Likhosherstov. He is definitely an upgraded version of Volvich.

Just to confirm how many players can they bring at the bubble? Is it 18, 21 or 28? I know they can add 6 players at the later stage.

Quote from inc0gnito

Below is the wide roster for Russia NT 2021 squad

Setters: Butko, Kobzar, Kovalev, Pankov

Opposite: Zhigalov, Mikhailov, Muserskiy, Poletaev

Middle Blockers: Vlasov, Volvich, Kurkaev, Likhoshertov, Lyzik, Yakovlev

Outside Hitters: Bogdan, Volkov, Voronkov, Klyuka, Podlesnykh, Savin, Semyshev, Surmachevsky

Libero: Baranov, Golubev, Melkozerov

*Players in bold I believe will be starting 6

Some thoughts:

- For setters, Grankin and Abaev were not included, both are at the extreme end age-wise so I feel this is cut is understandable

- Muserskiy listed as OPP!, Poletaev chances of making it to Tokyo greatly depends on his VNL 2021 performance

- Yakovlev-Kurkaev is a pretty strong MB duo, maybe they can take Muserskiy as third MB (and Poletaev will be Maxim's backup). (Pashitskiy not invited)

- For OHs, Russia surprisingly has a variety of options. Volkov and Kliuka will be titular of course, I would take one experienced OH, I would have preferred Sivhozelez instead of Savin

Overall I think Russia is one of the 3 or 4 teams who can win Gold in OG. Can't wait for NT season Kobzar-Pankov duo to Tokyo! (wishful thinking)

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-I wanted Abaev to make the wide roster but i think he plays very similar to Pankov/Kobzar which cancels him out. Butko and Kovalev atleast brings different setting tempo. But Abaev has the making of a great NT captain. He is still young so I think he will shine next quad.

-Super happy with the decision of Musersyky being tried out at the opposite. With how subpar Poletaev played plus his injuries, he will need to prove himself at VNL.

-Middle is spot on. Kurkaev, Yakovlev, Vlasov, Likhoshertov were the best MBs during the season.

-Clearly Surmachevsky will be used as a serving sub since he played that role really well during the season and has a mean serve.

I have to say I'm impressed with Sammelvuo's player selection unlike the women's side.

Quote from Hassan Kadem

I agree with Obmochaev

And I can't stand Likhoshertov

Why not? His performance especially during the final 6 was superb. He and Vlasov played really well during this season.

Im also surprise he made the cut not because he is not good enough but because I think he is very underrated.

Quote from Ksyusha

wide roster of the Russian nt

S: Startseva, Romanova, Matveeva, Lazareva

Opp: Goncharova, Smirnova, Gorbunova

MB: Koroleva, Fetisova, Kotova, Efimova, Brovkina, Malygina

L: Malova, Pilipenko, Zaytseva

Oh: Parubets, Kosheleva, Voronkova, Lazareva, Fedorovtseva, Sazonova, Pipunyrova

https://volley.ru/news/2/p1/23739/

Malygina is in the nt again, this time as Mb okay, let's say im okay with other positions but MB position (Malygina, Efimova, Brovkina) is strange to me. Lazarenko, Enina and Evdokimova deserved to be in the NT imo

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It is really hard to root for Russia when you constantly see blatant favoritism and politicking in the national team.

I really wish Verbov will take over the women's NT next quad. We need younger coaches with fresh ideas.

Busato banking on players like Malygina and Brovkina just because of their height is so old school volleyball. Really glad that atleast Smirnova and Sazonova made it but i expect on of them will be cut out.

Quote from inc0gnito

I think Volkov, Kliuka, and Podlesnykh spots are secured for Tokyo (barring any injuries). Bogdan, Semyshev, Voronkov and maybe the 'older ones' Sivozhelez, Markin, Karpukhov will all be vying for that 4th OH spot. But I personally want Berezhko to be included but I don't think Sammelvuo is particularly aware of his talents..

EDIT: I just googled Russia's 2016 OG roster and technically they only brought 3 OHs: Tetyukhin, Volkov, Kliuka and the 4th one is a libero converted to an OH Ermakov. Wonder if Russia will do the same this time around.

To be fair Russia could not bring their very best line up to the 2016 olympics due to injuries (Musersky, Butko, Berezkho) and Markin due to doping.

Regarding Podlesnykh i think he is the 4th OH since he is more of a defensive player. The 3rd OH will be between Bogdan, Semyshev and Vonronkov since they are offensive OH.

for me Poletaev is the biggest question mark. With his subpar performance plus injury, I can see Sammelvuo leaving him unless he suddenly plays amazing in VNL. but aside from Musersky I cant really think of anyone who impressed me during the regular season to replace him

Quote from kyle7in1

That's why I don't like him. Creating unnecessary drama is his style.

It will destroy team momentum. In clutch time, it could cost the game too.

he knows he can get away with it at domestic games but you can tell at international matches he usually try to contain his “celebrations” within his team or to the audience which is fine.

At this point Volkov should have atleast been given yellow card. I mean he is fun to watch but his antics now starting set 2 are just straight up deplorable. Not sure how Dinamo is even keeping their cool atm

what do you guys think about the chances of setter Popova making the wide roster? Obviously Romanova and Startseva are the main setters but the back-up setter is very wide because the rest are more or less on the same level. Her ball and location control is still subpar but she is aggressive and young. She plays either really good or bad and no in betweens. Matveeva is obviously even younger and have been the main setter of her team but i just dont find her game aggressive or creative enough to make difference.

Quote from Husky123

That'd be great, but due to the limited number of players in VNL I think Busato will only test Lazareva, Goncha, and Kadochkina as Opp. Maybe Smirnova will just play in Universiade.

yeah not even sure if Busato will call Kadochkina due to her limited playing time. He will probably call kaletskaya since he seem to favor older and more experienced players despite them playing subpar.

We will see how Fedorovtseva and Enina’s games translate in international games especially when Romanova is setting them and Voronkova is receiving some of the balls. The spot for MB is going to be interesting especially with so many ladies playing well. Fetisova is definitely down in the chart right now but we will see if she can step up in VNL. Who do think will make the VNL squad?

Quote from Husky123

Now she could be called a defensive OH (she was opposite years ago).

her attack is just not good but she has OK reception. I was happy she was given the chance to play starter and play the whole game but that really showed her level.