Goncharova for sure
, but about Startseva, I don't know... it's not like there are many replacements for her (sure, Popova and even Kobzar have potential, but they aren't ready) and the same goes for Malova and Koroleva. They should stay at least one more year.
Now I wonder what kind of a team Russia will send to the coming Euro championship this month.
What a game!
I am a little disappointed, Russia really had a chance, but the result was widely expected, no complains.
A big difference of this loss compared to previous 5-6 years losses is that before every one loss caused more depression on the prospective of Russia women volleyball since each loss resulted in more losses following, as a fan, you felt hopeless and would never see the end of that, that was really hurting. But this time, I see the bright sight is coming, a new super star is born, Arina Fedorovtseva can really have ability to bring glories back to Russian women volleyball. She is only 17, but already plays as a leader and a super star is already, yes ALREADY, here!
One side note, Goncharova and Startseva should retire from the NT, they had their shinning moments but now it is time to pass the baton to the new generation.
Russia ended up the 4th place in the group. It was not ideal but not as bad as ending in 2nd or 3rd place that would potentially set them up against Serbia. Brazil is good, but Russia has a better chance to play against Brazil than against Serbia, no offense to Brazil fans
. Hopefully Startseva will be doing much better next time, today she was awful.
Coach Kiraly pointed out that Arina Fedorovtseva is only 17. “If you do the math, she probably would be a high school junior this fall. Luckily, she’s not playing against other high school players or she might kill somebody or at least dole out five concussions per match.”
Wow!! Hahahahahaha
I kinda wondered today's ERs all over the world got very busy during China/Russia's match, most patients had acute heart attack?
To be honest, every set was winnable for Russia, but at critical moments, Russia always made some unnecessary errors or unwise plays. Congrats to Italy.
#6 of Russia is sort of a weak link.
Actually, Russia belonged to Group D, so they would have likely faced the USA in the second round anyway.
You are right I forgot the 1st round.
USA is sort of unfortunate to get into group E with Russia and Brazil. If not for Belgium's entry restriction, group E should get Poland and Dominican. If that is the case, USA had a very good chance to be in semi-finals.
Both are part of the U18 squad
Hope #18 setter continues as a starter bc I don't wanna see Seliutina anymore.
Agreed! Seliutina seems only sets to #2 and #4 regardless that was why they got blocked that much yesterday.
The key Russia won today's game was that they sub'd #18 setter and #12 MB into the game, they were good!
That's really unfortunate and i wonder why.
So... Kadochkina won't play U20 WCh and senior category
I don't know what plans Russians have for her. They are wasting her talent
I thought she was called up to U20 team per Kazan's site and is it true she is not going now?
Fedorovtseva's transition to Senior NT has been a phenomenal success. We all have pointed out countless times already how good she is but being Russia's most dominant attacker in VNL, that's quite a feat for someone who's under 18 and just made her debut in NT. Her reception at the moment is vulnerable to being exploited by the other teams but I believe she has what it takes to be quite solid with it given a few more years. She could possibly develop to one of those rare all-around OHs. While all that sounds good, it also says a lot about how the other Russian OHs are unreliable in attack
Enina making it is a pleasant surprise. I have always thought Efimova have the 3rd MB slot locked by her. She seems to be always favored by the coaches for quite some time.
By the way, any official source on the 12 player lineup?
volley.ru reported and this is the Russian VFV official site.
This list is basically as expected except Matveeva, but like others pointed out that was probably due to Romanova's injury. Bringing two libros was also as expected since Russia does need a better reception and one of them (probably Pilipenko) will be a defensive OH to ease the pressure in back court. MBs are pretty good now. Only concern I have for Matveera is that she did pretty good to send balls high to #2 and #4 but I have not seen her doing any fast sets to MBs or OHs that could spell a trouble, but still we will find out how heavily she will be used as a setter. It's all set now let's cheer for Russian team and wish them good luck!!!
Is this the OG roster?
Yes, sort of. But two will be removed from this list.
They have three attacking OHs and use Pilipenko as a defensive OH plus the one from the setters and one from MBs will be removed, it is way better than people worried about before- at least Malygina, Brovkina are gone. This lineup really does not look that bad.
I would cut Matveeva, and Efimova. Smirnova and Pilipenko to fill the OHs spot.
Sounds very reasonable.
I just found out this 14 player roster for Tokyo OG, two of them will be removed later:
Binders: Polina Matveeva, Tatiana Romanova, Evgenia Startseva .
Diagonal: Natalia Goncharova , Anna Lazareva, Ksenia Smirnova.
Blocking: Ekaterina Enina, Ekaterina Efimova, Irina Koroleva , Irina Fetisova .
Spikers: Irina Voronkova, Arina Fedorovtseva.
Libero: Anna Podkopaeva, Daria Pilipenko.
Hopefully this is not the final composition. This is the photo they went to meet President Putin. If this bunch goes to Olympics without Fedorovtseva no Podkopaeva , they cannot even beat Argentina I am afraid.
Is the rumor true that Russia, Serbia, Italy, and Turkey will get together before the OG for friendly matches? Does anyone have insider info?
