Posts by inc0gnito

  • 2016 FIVB Volleyball World Grand Prix

    Kosheleva may not play at all in the first leg in Kaliningrad but IMO Marichev will still include her. My bet is on Samoilenko if she's not ready to play (again) or Malygina will be cut from the final roster. Re the lack of OHs, maybe we can see Goncharova again playing as OH?

  • Russian NT 2016

    Last time it was MB Efimova who was suddenly dropped from the roster, now it's Voronkova strange indeed. No update on Kosheleva/Samoilenko injuries guess we just have to see a couple of days from now if both will play.

  • Olympic Games - 2016 | 8 | 6

    RUS vs BRA in the last day will be interesting and will determine who will come out on top of Pool A, and thus, will have the benefit of an easier QF match against the 4th ranked team in Pool B assuming: China, Serbia & USA get the 1st-3rd places interchangeably.

  • Russian NT 2016

    Not surprised with Kosheleva's injury but I think she will recover in time. But Shlyakhovaya? I thought she played a superb match in the CEV Cup Finals. It seems she hasn't fully recovered since 2014 when she disappeared from NT. Zaryazkho-Fetisova should take roles as starting MBs then.

  • Russian NT 2016

    No surprises here (apart from the inclusion of Sheshenina). Without Gamova, Russia needs another terminating OH, and I think Voronkova is the closest we have of the current Russian OHs (next to Kosheleva). Glad to see no Hodunova on the list and hopefully this will mark Shlyakhovaya's successful return to NT. If Fetisova will not be starting MB, Marichev may use her as serving specialist seeing as there is no one else on the team besides her and Startseva who are reliable on serve. Overall I'm satisfied with this selection, Marichev did his homework :teach:

  • Olympic Games - Brazil 2016 (qualification process)

    I am putting my best guess and thinking how the pool composition would look like in Rio. I'm using the scenario that Italy, Korea, Netherlands and Japan all qualify based on the current results of the World Qualies.


    Pool A
    Brazil (Hosts)
    Russia (4)
    Japan (5)
    Korea (9)
    Argentina (12)
    Cameroon (21)


    Pool B
    United States (1)
    China (2)
    Serbia (6)
    Italy ( 8 )
    Netherlands (14)
    Puerto Rico*/Kenya/Alegria/Colombia (2nd World Qualifier)


    Is it 99% decided that BRA-RUS-JPN and US-CHN-SRB are going to be paired together? Pool B is sure looking to be really tough..

  • Russian NT 2016

    Big loss for Russian volleyball. I imagine Gamova would have been great on the double-sub. With this news, Malykh is assured of her spot in Rio as second OPP to Goncahrova :wavy:

  • Russian NT 2016

    Quote from Matthias

    Gamova is very serious about making it to OG roster (source).


    Will be an interesting fight between Goncharova, Gamova and Malykh for 2 spots unless Marichev finds a way to take them all, but IMO that would be destined to fail because neither of them could play as OH on a good level. Goncharova currently is the best, Gamova by far is the most experienced and still can play on a high level, Malykh is the youngest and also performing on a high level. You never know what goes on in Marichev's head, but if he insists so much on having Sokolova in the team, I think he will take Gamova for sure as well.

    The only way for Goncharova, Malykh and Gamova to be on the same team is to take Gamova as OH. I think the three of them were also present during WCH roster correct me if I'm wrong. Not saying Kosheleva, Goncharova, and Gamova playing together same time on court is a good idea, but maybe Katya can sub Kosheleva some games, if Tanya is not 100% as they need a terminating OH, and no one comes closer than Gamova (and IMO Katya plays better in Position 4). With that said, they should take a receiving OH/libero as the 4th OH slot to cover the reception (Sokolova if she can make it?). Goncharova definitely starting OPP. If I were her I would be pissed if she would be converted again to OH because of Gamova's return to the team.

  • Russian NT 2016

    In the event Sokolova is not able play, is there a chance Pasynkova can take her place? They wear the same jersey number 5 and this happened before I think..


    In other news, I read somewhere before Russian NT will have some games with Serbian NT in preparation for GP. Does anyone know when the friendlies will take place?

  • Russian NT 2016

    I would take Pasynkova over Khodunova any day, at least Sasha can block and her serves can do damage to the opponents' team. Bad chocie for Marichev if you ask me :down: I really hope Malykh won't get cut from the final roster now that we have Gamova.

  • Russian NT 2016

    Gamova: "I want to say that I haven’t decided anything yet. There were a lot
    of rumors that I would supposedly finish my career after the Olympics…
    Who said that? Who made that decision for me? I have a few offers from
    Russia and from European and Asian clubs. But, it is not really
    important. The main thing for me now is to be useful to my team and to
    my country and to defend the colors of the Russian flag,”


    You gotta give it to her, the girl is not giving up on her Olympic dream. Question is, can she handle being backup to Goncharova? Or Nataliya relegated again as OH :whistle:

  • Russian NT 2016

    Quote from Emil

    Babeshina has been added to NT roster for the olympic games.
    I'm not that fond of this idea, though she played awesome this season. To me, she's the exact description of failures. I'd prefer Kosianenko and Startseva.

    I second this. Why gamble on a 'new' setter on the most important competition this year? If they really want to see how Babeshina plays out, maybe they can try her during Grand Prix.

  • Russian NT 2016

    Kosianenko is basically a shoe-in for the setter position since half of the NT players come from Moscow. Startseva too is guaranteed as her blocking and serving skills are too good to pass up (and she also has Olympic experience). I would be really surprised if the latter two does not make the cut. It would be interesting though to see Sheshenina and Gamova play together reminds me of Athens 2004.

  • Russian NT 2016

    Quote from crovolley

    "Lyubov Sokolova refused to play for the Russian national team at the Olympics, but we hope that she will change her decision" source WoV

    I think it's better for the team overall if Sokolova will not play as we have seen the rapid decline in her game, but if only Hodunova will take her spot, then I want Sokolova back. I think the OH roster during EuroVolley: Kosheleva, Ilchenko, Pasynkova plus Shcherban is most ideal. One OH might be sacked if Gamova decides to return to the team. That or Malykh :whistle: