Round 1 of 16- Olympics

[parkplace]

Waiting to hear your thoughts, Klazk, on Round 1.

Thanks in advance.

I'm sorry, the way I phrased that didn't reflect my exact thoughts. I was thinking that I was anxious to hear everyone's thoughts on Round 1, but especially Klazk because I have learned a lot from reading his comments. Somehow the way he explains it make sense to my brain.

[ronnielott]

Some interesting matchups:

Daniele Lupo / Paolo Nicolai Italy (13) vs. Phil Dalhausser / Todd Rogers United States (2) This head-to-head series is tied 2-2.

Julius Brink / Jonas Reckermann Germany (3) vs. Aleksandrs Samoilovs / Ruslans Sorokins Latvia (16) This head-to-head series is tied 2-2.

Alison Cerutti / Emanuel Rego Brazil (1) vs. Jonathan Erdmann / Kay Matysik Germany (8) Cerutti/Rego lead head-to-head series 7-4.

Simone Kuhn / Nadine Zumkehr Switzerland (11) vs. Jennifer Kessy / April Ross United States (4) This head-to-head series is tied 3-3.

[mjnaleva]

Down goes Phil and Todd in 2 sets to the Italians. They just didn't seem to play up to their potential at these Olympics at all. Since when does Todd get roofed to the point he probably got a headache?

Italians played well, but American played like "sewage" in the words of Jake Gibb when interviewed about some of their play in their lost in pool play.

[parkplace]

Thanks, Ronnie. Since Klazk is nowhere to be found you're now my "go to." Phil, Todd, Jen and April have already played out, but we'll see where the rest go.

Keep us posted.

Big result today - Maria/Antonelli go down to Kolokova/Slukova in three, knocking out the Brazilians. That's good news for Kessy/Ross, who play the Czechs next round to get into the semifinals. The Czech team is good, no doubt (although Misty/Kerri handled them in two during pool play), but it's a much better matchup for Jen and April. Now they don't have to run the gauntlet of playing Maria/Antonelli and (most likely) Larissa/Juliana back-to-back to get into the finals.

[johnbar]

Nice that Kessy/Ross and MMT/KW are on opposite sides of the bracket. If they keep winning, they won't meet until the medal matches.

[londonwatcher12]

I am calling biggest upset for Sunday: Italy Women defeat May/Walsh in 3 sets! Don't think Misty and Kerri have enough left to play two days straight. The Dutch women played like crap today and beat themselves. Misty & Kerri didn't have to do too much at all!! Misty looks like she is out of gas! First tough team they have to play is on Sunday with no days rest! Sorry.

[freelancer007]

.....and I call May/Walsh beating Italy in two

[johnbar]

I realize the Olympics must ramp up the pressure, etc., but in a normal FIVB event, you usually play two matches a day (more, in the contenders' bracket), not one every other day. USA/AVP events often had 3 or 4 matches day for a team. Given that the Dutch didn't really challenge May/Walsh, having to play two days in a row doesn't seem like that big of deal.

Not that anyone should underestimate the Italians.

[johnbar]

Looking like freelancer007 is more likely correct...

[londonwatcher12]

May/Walsh is smokin the Italians! Italians look terrible!

Major beatdown of the Italians. As Johnbar noted, conditioning isn't an issue - the Olympics are the exception, as every other tournament has teams playing one or more matches every day.

And never underestimate the value of Olympic experience. Rookie teams have never felt the pressure of an Olympic knock-out match, and it showed in Misty and Kerri's past two matches. Like Keiser/Van Iersel before them, Cicolari and particularly Menegatti melted down in the spotlight. Both of those teams will be back in Rio and I would expect them to have stronger performances. Sometimes a rookie team can rise to the occasion (like Nicolai-Lupo), more often the pressure gets to them.

Now the test really starts for May/Walsh. I think China is the toughest matchup for them out of any team left in the Games. The Chinese are experienced (bronze medal in Beijing), young, and huge. I think May/Walsh will actually be slight underdogs.

[londonwatcher12]

I didn't expect the young Itailian team to play that terrible. Not sure if Kerri and Misty made them look bad or if the nerves got to them. I agree, the Chinese team is very very good. Should be a good one!