Posts by inc0gnito

Meanwhile Poland playing their strongest squad against germany

Quote from Leonardo.D

If France loses today, their spot in the Final4 could be in risk. They still have to face Poland.

In the other hand, Slovenia and Russia, the other two teams who are in the race, have "easier" rivals in front.

France and Serbia giving Russia chances day by day, technically Russia were out of contention a few days ago..

Italy B-C team giving France B team a run for their money

Russia losing to Japan in 5 sets will haunt them, had they won that match, they were one foot away of reaching SF

Quote from Sean_YYY

And the 2nd setter.

Should be Romanova. She missed this year's VNL due to minor injury to recover for OG.

Quote from mosi

Iran is a complete mess, will be very easy for Brazil (almost Brazil B) if they continue like this.

I don't know what happened since that Germany match. nobody can kill a ball. they are getting worse match by match

Iran just took second set

USA could have won the 1st and 3rs sets, and sweep France, but errors at the end and they give away the set

Quote from akitoakie

Is Podlesnykh better than Semyshev?

Semyshev is the better player overall, but since he was sent home, everyone assumes he is no longer in contention for Tokyo.

With Parubets not making it to Tokyo, I think Russia's OH roster is now more or less set: Voronkova, Fedorovtseva, Kosheleva & Smirnova (Smirnova can do both attack and reception duties, but of course not as efficient as Parubets). Only remaining question mark is the 3rd MB and Goncharova's backup (most likely Lazareva).

So I think Russia has two roster options going to Tokyo: 1. 4 OHs, 3 MBs, 2 Opp OR 2. 3 OHs, 3 OPP, 3 MBs

Roster 1

OH: Volkov, Kliuka, Podlesnykh, Bogdan

MB: Yakovlev, Kurkaev, Volvich

OPP: Mikhaylov, Muserskiy

S: Kobzar, Pankov

L:

Roster 2

OH: Volkov, Kliuka, Podlesnykh

MB: Yakovlev, Kurkaev, Volvich

OPP: Mikhaylov, Muserskiy, Poletaev

S: Kobzar, Pankov

L:

As much as I like Poletaev, he really need to prove himself and compete with Muserskiy as Maxim's backup. But I will not be surprised if he makes it and Russia brings 3 Opps to Tokyo

Why is Anserson not playing to think he hasn't played for one year, Mikhaylov meanwhile

Quote from akitoakie

I think Muserskiy is going to Tokyo somehow. He is just too valuable for the team. Has Mikhaylov receive serve before? Maybe they can push him to the outside to fix the OH issue 😂

Maxim has played as OH in Kazan '19 season, but he is not really effective at this role, compared to someone like Anderson who can play both OH/Opp positions on a high level. Podlesnykh > Mikhaylov in the OH position so putting Maxim in this position is a waste as he is clearly Russia's best Opp by a long shot.. Russia has to cut one of Muserkiy/Poletaev and that is not in Poletaev's favor.

If the Top 4 rankings don't change: Brazil and Slovenia could still potentially meet in SF

Quote from akitoakie

In the end, Brazil is Brazil. Kudos to Slovenia for putting up a very good fight.

Again, Douglas is just amazing. Lucarelli - Leal - Douglas is the best OH trio in the world right now. Alongside Zhu Ting - Zhang Changning - Li Yingying 😂😂😂

Zhu and company are better of course lol

Slovenia are the master of tips

I think one of the biggest problem that is being overlooked, both Russia's starting OHs, Kliuka and Volkov are greatly under-performing. Volkov has a slight injury, I'm not sure what is happening with Kliuka in general. This makes the third OH sub, equally valuable IMO. Podlesnykh was great when he came in for Volkov today against Serbia. Not to take anything away from Yaroslav, but I think he fits this role as OH sub really well IMO (and not as starter).

Flavio reminds me a lot of Kurkaev. Or the other way around

OT, but where is Cebulj playing next season? He has been very good in the last few games for Slovenia.

Quote from KVB

Canada did beat the Cuban team with Simon playing to qualify, they earn their spot by that hard fought match. It’s just the sad reality for the European teams that only a few out of so many great teams could qualify as the competition is so tough there.

I still remember Bulgaria was close to beat Brazil leading 2-0, only for Brazil to win in the end

Are the Final 4 teams Brazil, Poland, France and Slovenia? Or does some other team has the chance to break in to Final 4?