What happened to the rumor about Startseva? I was hoping she'd leave Russia even just for one season.
I think she'll return to Kazan next season.
What happened to the rumor about Startseva? I was hoping she'd leave Russia even just for one season.
I think she'll return to Kazan next season.
Lazareva is pretty average (in a bad way lol). Current Akimova I think is better
so sad. So the Russians are really out. Poor Goncharova and Starseva. This would have been their last Olympics.
Can the Russians qualify by some other means? Or is this the only way they can go to Paris
https://rutube.ru/channel/23493179/videos/
Russian volley fans rejoice! Found an alternate site where we can still watch Russian SL matches. The only caveat they are a bit slow to upload games than the original Volley RU Youtube channel but better than nothing
How on earth is Russian volleyball connected to the war in Ukraine?! And please don't tell me there is another reason for why the YT Channel was taken down other than being Russian
Leave this russian propaganda out pls.
You have been brainwashed by the corrupt Western mainstream media. I don't blame you. But to not question the main narrative is not very responsible and dare I say even silly.
Considering how the spotlight is basically on Russia since 2015 for doping, I don't think any of them would risk it now.
I agree. Doping may have been more commonplace in the past (not saying all players are guilty), but I really don't think the Russians would do something like this now. Russians are arguably the most tested athletes in volleyball and Goncharova in an interview said something similar this after the whole controversy exploded.
On Wednesday, journalist Seymour Hersh revealed that the United States Navy, at the direction of President Joe Biden, was responsible for the September 26, 2022 attacks on the Nord Stream pipelines carrying natural gas between Russia and Germany.
https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2023/02/10/pers-f10.html
https://seymourhersh.substack.…-took-out-the-nord-stream
So do we ban US now and it's allies via acts of terrorism or do they yet again get a pass on this one? Of course Russia is to blame and they sabotaged their own pipelines
Russia men’s league is interesting to watch for the Top 4/5 teams. The rest are way far in terms of level. But most of the other leagues are the same, plus so many eye candy so I dont have anything to complaint 😂
the icing on top
Mikhaylov is in such great form this season (and so are the other Russian NT starters). If the Olympics were held this year, I would say Russia is still one of the favorites even in their absence from NT competitions for around 2 years now. Russian league is a close second after Italy IMO.
St. Petersburg Zenit vs Kazan full match replay
https://www.bbc.com/sport/olympics/64503198
Paris Olympics: Up to 40 countries could boycott Games, says Poland sports minister
"A boycott is a violation of the Olympic charter, which obliges all NOCs to 'participate in the Games of the Olympiad by sending athletes'. As history has shown, previous boycotts did not achieve their political ends and served only to punish the athletes of the boycotting NOCs."
Kazan won 3-0 but it was a close match than the score would suggest. Kovalev and Kobzar are both insecure setters IMO and it shows towards the endings of the sets.. I say Kazan and Moscow are the favorites, wonder how soon Poletaev will play he is really the missing X factor for Zenit IMO.
I don't know why SpB feels an inferiority complex against kazan.. they can go toe to toe with them but they look emasculated
Zenit really misses Poletaev. Anderson is just blocked too often by Kazan blockers
That cute guy from Lokomotiv is kinda weak in attacking.
He has pretty good reception skills at his young age which is rarity among OH these days.. I think he is a good NT prospect in the future and can be one of those defensive OHs like Berezkho was in the past. The attack skills can come later doesn't hurt he is pretty easy on the eyes
Zenit lost it's second 5-setter against Lokomotiv last. Another big match scheduled this Saturday with Kazan.
Money talks $$$
Volkov is being too inconsistent these days for his case to be locked as OH. But I guess he compensates with his great blocking in the wings that will surely help the team.
Let's see who will be the best Russian MB this season maybe Yakovlev? Last season it was undoubtedly Kurkaev and two seasons ago Vlasov. I will bring these 3 for Olympics.
I still have faith in Poletaev. Russia's other young Opps don't have much international experience, and an experienced backup OPP should be Maxim's partner in Paris.
Display MoreNot having Russia in the Olympics will not tarnish that gold. I doubt countries would throw their medals away because they did not experience "the same level of competition".
Based on the Olympics' own words, they value "excellence, respect, and friendship" - which I don't think Russia is upholding (except excellence, probably) right now, nor would other countries feel that "friendship" from them given their war with Ukraine.
I understand competing with a neutral flag if it was for their previous issues (cheating and doping). But for war? That's too different.
My belief is that they are banned from competing because it's additional pressure for their government to stop the war. Questionable efficiency, but hey Ukraine is still losing people in this war, so if it helps, so be it.
Also, I don't agree that they should compete in Asia; how convenient for them to be able to change continents as they wish. Since they have borders near North America maybe they can try NORCECA.
Nowhere I did say not having Russia in the competition would 'tarnish' anything. I was alluding to the fact not having Russia compete, the level of competition will not be as high and this is a fact both on the men's and women's side (and not just in volleyball).
Yeah you say doping and war are different. But you know what they have in common? Both crimes are done by the West, and they are NOT punished for it.
Wasn’t Poletaev playing at beginning of the season? What happened? And sorry but slowly? How many seasons has it been he is in recovery? I feel sad for him, he was a great prospect but those injuries
He's always getting injured every season. That's the thing with Poletaev. He plays great in 6 or 7 games, then he breaks down and gets injured. But when he is playing at the height of his abilities, he is one of the best.