Brazil destroys Russia!

[VolleyTX]

Holy Smokes. Russia gets absoluted schooled by Brazil. 25-14, 25 - 14, 25 - 16. Did anyone see the match? It sounds like the Russians have a major attitude problam. Even Sheila mentioned during the press conference that the Russians acted like they did not want to be there.

The best hitter for the team hit 11%. The entire team hit 9%.

I can't remember a match where one of the world's best teams played this poorly.

[PukaPants]

I watched this match this morning. The Russian libero was worse than Nicole Davis' performance last night.

Now where did the sassy Russian poster disappear to? I was waiting for the Sokolova to bring her game ova but it was the other way around.

[USAFAN]

Brazil dominated in all aspects of the game. Mari has emerged to be an amazing offensive threat from everywhere on the court and their defense was relentless. Fofao continues to run a very varied and fluid offense which got all players involved, including the middles which will be crucial for Brazil's medal chances. Russia had its second poor performance and I am not sure even with all the experience they have on the outsides that they are capable of medaling. They are very errant both in their passing and attacking if the defense is well formed.

[vbdewd]

Another testament to the "in your face" style of coaching?

[PukaPants]

Brazil continues to play flawless v-ball like they did in the Grand Prix.....they are looking to be the gold medal team...unless the Olympic gods have other plans!

[Phaedrus]

Believe me, I like Brasil too, but they have always had meltdowns like no other team. There was the performance against Russians in the 2004 Semis. So I will withhold judgment until they actually win it. Then I will celebrate with the Brasilians.

[tenniscraze]

Gamovafan where are u???

[OverAndUnder]

I said back during the WGP that Brasil was the clear #1 with Italy a step behind, and someone went off about how amazing Russia was. Russia's power is aging, and they've got chemistry issues despite (or maybe because of) playing regularly with each other in the same league.

[bigfan]

Aug 11, 2008 12:52:18 GMT -5 PukaPants said:

I watched this match this morning. The Russian libero was worse than Nicole Davis' performance last night.

She played well against Japan.

[Phaedrus]

Aug 11, 2008 16:42:26 GMT -5 OverAndUnder said:

I said back during the WGP that Brasil was the clear #1 with Italy a step behind, and someone went off about how amazing Russia was. Russia's power is aging, and they've got chemistry issues despite (or maybe because of) playing regularly with each other in the same league.

I think there is also a little bit of the egos coming out now that Karpol isn't beating the egos down.

[OverAndUnder]

The rest of you can have your skimpy pictures of Misty and Kerri. Give me Paula Pequeno in full Green and Yellow any day!

[OverAndUnder]

Mari has been improving her consistency and power. She isn't the easily scared little girl she was in 2004. In the WGP she was hitting Ruiz angles from Gamova height, with a Stacey Gordon wrist snap. Watch out world!

[Edmond]

A deliberate strategic loss maybe. They probably wanted to finish 3rd in pool play so they could have a easier QF against either China, which they managed to beat in warm-up, or USA. Russia had two pool losses in Athens as well.

[OverAndUnder]

Maybe the USA did the same with Cuba?

[Mocha]

I'd bet Georgia fans are smiling. ;D ;D ;D

And I don't mean Georgia the state.