Congrats to Beijing especially the veterans on the team! Does this solidify Liu Xiaotong's place on the NT?
Liu's passing is still quite shaky. Zhu's opposite needs to be someone with solid passing. They really need someone like Gozde or Robinson in Vakifbank. So far Zhang has shown her abilities but she has injuries now and quite unstable. Li simply can not pass even though her attacks are strong. Liu seems to be the best choice sadly.
Also if she wants a chance at making the NT she'll need to learn how to receive even as an opposite. For some reason in the back of my head, I don't think Lang Ping will bring Zeng Chunlei to Tokyo 2020.
Yes, almost all OPPs receive in China NT system. Gong is a pretty solid receiver now. Zeng did not make it for Rio, so somehow I would like her to go to Tokyo, but considering her age and current level, it seems very unlikely.
It depends if you have middle blockers that primarily attacks as sliders then the need for a terminating opposite isn't that great as long as reception holds.
I think the main issue for Tianjin is reception. There's simply no way a coach can just keep doing this rotation without reason.
The MB Tianjin borrowed from Fujian -- Zheng is the slider attacker, and she has something like 20 points today. I agree reception is the key, still with Yi on the court, it is like you ALWAYS have only 2 front row attackers.
Maybe the alternative is worse? This style is similar to Serbia in reverse like having amazing middle blockers to make up for the lack of firepower from the OH.
Serbia has Mihajlović, so the left and right side is pretty balanced. Also, I would say even though Malesevic is a more defensive style OH, her attacking is much much better than Tianjin's OPP Yang Yi, she literally can't kill any ball. The blockers in Beijing simply ignores her.
Du Qingqing needs to improve her reception. She had a couple good blocks against Dixon and Rourke though.
Well, Du plays as opposite in her home team, and now she has to play as an outside spiker for Tianjin, so a bit adjustment for her, it is good experience for sure. Also I would say her offence stands out more than her reception while playing for her home team. She is still young though, playing in a final like this will be some valuable experience.
If Beijing wins this next game will it be their first win ever on the womens side?
Yes, will be the first champion for Beijing. If Tianjin wins, will be their 12th title.
Yes, but probably all 4 teams in group 2 will be in the semi finals.
I mean, NOT all 4 teams.
Will it be like Rio? Novara meets Conegliano, and then Novara gets eliminated
Yes, but probably all 4 teams in group 2 will be in the semi finals. 
vakif has no chance ,because they are in same pool.hahaha
Yes, "poor" Vakif indeed. I think out of Moscow, Imoco and Scandicci, Vakif probably prefers to play Moscow.
Stuttgart is In! It seems Imoco will be soon too (25:10, 15:8 leading).
We have our last 8:
Vakif, Eczacibasi, Fener,
Novara, Scandicci, Imoco,
Moscow,
Stuttgart .
If Lodz wins 3:1 and Imoco wins 3:0, the set ratio will favour Imoco: 14:10 - 12:9 = 0.06666. So close between these two. Let's hope Imoco won't choke again.
Can't Conegliano pass to quarter finals next week winning 3-0??
No, they don't have advantage in points compared to No.2 to other groups. They are paying for the their mistakes towards SCHWERIN.
that was weird... he took out the libero...
Wong’s passing is horrible today, Hill has to cover her
4 wing spikers on court for USA: Larson, Hill, Bartsch, Robinson
that font is so ugly! who did fivb hire to do their design?
and the graphics that appear with the player only show name and shirt #? WTF, who cares what the shirt # is? how about showing height and age?????
FIVB is trying to be cute
just caught the end of the 4th set... glad to see gibby back with the team.
why didn't gui call a challenge on that spike by meliha? she was sure there was a touch...
is this stream from SRB? but the ads are in latin script, i expected it in She
He wasted the challenges on two ridiculous balls. Unsurprisingly
Wong’s passing is so shaky, Hill has to cover her. Lucky USA won the forth set with the smallest margin.
A few points:
1. These few hard-core non-stop zhu fans aren't representing all of us, as any sane mature people would know.
2. Gozde is such a charismatic character and she is beloved by a lot of Zhu fans. And many would agree as a friend and captain, Gozde certainly makes the transition to Vakif easier for Zhu, so you can say part of Zhu's success in Europe is contributed by Gozde. You can also see on courts, Zhu and Gozde are quite close and trust each other, whenever Gozde is bump setting, she mostly goes to Zhu.
3. These fans can be annoying indeed, but at the same time, I don't think hating Zhu is a good response for this. It has nothing to do with Zhu anyway. Mature up guys.
So let's just ignore these posts and don't give them more to argue about. Peace guys.
Gozde will be missed!!! So amazing!
Zhu played really well after 20:20 in the last set!
Go Vakifbank!!!
What's wrong in the end of match? Gala fans being so a
maybe it is with the referee. The referee in this match is absolutely ridiculous.
