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Post by baywatcher on Jul 13, 2014 19:37:51 GMT -5
I'm attempting to evaluate the REAL SOS for each Grand Prix team in the top 12 (not using FIVB rankings for now).
this is how I would evaluate the 12 teams that will compete for 4 playoff spots. Japan is in as host and one more will come from the last 16 teams or so.
I'm attempting to rate the teams by which you'd not like to face in the Grand Prix, hardest at the top. could knowledgeable individuals create similar lists.
I would rate the teams, in order I'd like to avoid, this way:
1. Brazil (will take this seriously)
2. Russia
3. USA
then drop off some
4. Italy
5. China
6. Japan (will they try hard?)
7. Serbia
8. Germany
9. Turkey
10. Thailand
11. Korea
12. Dominican Republic
I do not follow international events except those the USA is in, so I readily request any revisions. I will NOT snarl and call out dirty names if somebody corrects my list
I particularly am interested in the Serbian team. In 2011 they were fantastic, then everybody got hurt. Their stars were young, then. Are they back and playing well? If so the Serbs should be higher, perhaps much higher. Also unclear on Italy, but with the World Championships coming up in Italy, I assume the Italians will put their best foot forward. And of course Germany won Montreux, beating an American team similar to what will play the Grand Prix (well, maybe not too similar.)
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Post by MarsH on Jul 14, 2014 4:22:42 GMT -5
I have not watched Serbia, Korea or Italy this year. Seen Turkey but B-team only in Euro League.
I'd rank Germany's A-team higher in the list based on what I've seen. They have sent their B-team to Euro League lately so I don't know if their main players will maintain their early season form. It would be great to watch them if they do.
My list would be:
Strong: Brazil, USA
Good: Germany, China, Russia, Italy, Japan
Average: Serbia, Turkey, Dominicana, Thailand, Korea
I'm expecting the Grand Prix teams to have a lot of mixed A/B players though.
World Championships teams will likely have mostly ther main players (except for Thailand who are planning to send only their B-team there).
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Post by kro2488 on Jul 18, 2014 20:24:37 GMT -5
I have not watched Serbia, Korea or Italy this year. Seen Turkey but B-team only in Euro League. I'd rank Germany's A-team higher in the list based on what I've seen. They have sent their B-team to Euro League lately so I don't know if their main players will maintain their early season form. It would be great to watch them if they do. My list would be: Strong: Brazil, USA Good: Germany, China, Russia, Italy, Japan Average: Serbia, Turkey, Dominicana, Thailand, Korea I'm expecting the Grand Prix teams to have a lot of mixed A/B players though. World Championships teams will likely have mostly ther main players (except for Thailand who are planning to send only their B-team there). I would say China should be considered strong up there with USA and Brasil, and Russia, they gave us trouble last year. |
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Post by baywatcher on Jul 18, 2014 21:12:45 GMT -5
Adjusting the list to the above input I have rated the 12 teams thusly:
1, Brazil
2. USA
3. China
4. Germany
5. Russia
6. Italy
7. Japan
8. Serbia
9. Korea
10. Turkey
11. Thailand
12. Dominican
I have moved Germany way up and due to some stars missing from even the possibility roster for Russia, and particularly Italy, moved those teams down. Japan is in 7 as they already qualify and have less a sense of urgency. Somebody rumored Kim would not play Grand Prix, so I was putting Korea way down, but could not confirm so waffled with them. Also unsure about turkey.
Using that list here is the degree of difficulty for the diverse schedules. A 1 is given for playing Bazil, 2 for USA, etc. up to 12 for Dominican. More points means easier schedule.
Dominican 46
Korea 49
Russia 51
Thailand 52
Turkey 53
Italy 56
Japan 57
USA 61
Brazil 62
China 67
Germany 69
Serbia 69
top 4 records wise qualify. After Japan there are 5 teams with easier schedules; figure 4 will come from that. Serbia plays Germany twice, and China, and Japan the last weekend. No USA, no Brazil, no Russia. Germany plays Serbia twice and Russia, and that's about it, except for Italy, which is staffing USA wise, with young talent.
So I expect Brazil in, and China, which only plays Brazil no USA or Russia,; hopefully USA, and one of Serbia and Germany; maybe both if Brazil, US and Russia tear each other up in a swirl of 3-2 matches.
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Post by Upfrontvb on Jul 20, 2014 20:46:13 GMT -5
Does Italy have a good team? It appears they have good individual players but as a whole team?
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Post by MarsH on Jul 21, 2014 10:34:28 GMT -5
Does Italy have a good team? It appears they have good individual players but as a whole team? They seem to be playing ok together so far. At least based on the results of the 4 friendly matches (volleyball.it) between Italy and Japan this month. Two wins for each team but Italy looks stronger. |
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Post by c4ndlelight on Jul 21, 2014 12:47:27 GMT -5
Adjusting the list to the above input I have rated the 12 teams thusly: 1, Brazil 2. USA 3. China 4. Germany 5. Russia 6. Italy 7. Japan 8. Serbia 9. Korea 10. Turkey 11. Thailand 12. Dominican I have moved Germany way up and due to some stars missing from even the possibility roster for Russia, and particularly Italy, moved those teams down. Japan is in 7 as they already qualify and have less a sense of urgency. Somebody rumored Kim would not play Grand Prix, so I was putting Korea way down, but could not confirm so waffled with them. Also unsure about turkey. Using that list here is the degree of difficulty for the diverse schedules. A 1 is given for playing Bazil, 2 for USA, etc. up to 12 for Dominican. More points means easier schedule. Dominican 46 Korea 49 Russia 51 Thailand 52 Turkey 53 Italy 56 Japan 57 USA 61 Brazil 62 China 67 Germany 69 Serbia 69 top 4 records wise qualify. After Japan there are 5 teams with easier schedules; figure 4 will come from that. Serbia plays Germany twice, and China, and Japan the last weekend. No USA, no Brazil, no Russia. Germany plays Serbia twice and Russia, and that's about it, except for Italy, which is staffing USA wise, with young talent. So I expect Brazil in, and China, which only plays Brazil no USA or Russia,; hopefully USA, and one of Serbia and Germany; maybe both if Brazil, US and Russia tear each other up in a swirl of 3-2 matches. Germany is too high here. They had a nice tournament in Switzerland, but they are still very subpar at the outside position and I wouldn't put Russia below them, even with their schedule. Serbia might beat them twice, and I see them slipping up in true road games turkey, @korea and @russia. Turkey has two home weekends (where they play much, much better) and by far the least taxing travel schedule. I think they sneak in that last spot. |
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Post by volleyguy on Jul 21, 2014 16:27:15 GMT -5
Completely agree that it's optimistic to rank Germany that high based on a Montreux result, impressive (and surprising) as it was. In fact, I think the real question is whether Germany sneaks into the top ten with that result.
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