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Post by ironhammer on Dec 29, 2018 21:34:30 GMT -5
How is Poland replacing Cuba? If so how will the FIVB allow this? Apparently, Cuba withdrew from the tournament and Poland is the next team in line in FIVB rankings. I am assuming they don't have the money to send the team to the World Cup? Man oh man, Cuba, the once supreme volleyball champions now reduced to the point that they can't even afford to bring their team overseas. Judging by how much they have declined, maybe the dissolution of the whole team is not far off at this point.
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Post by ToddyJ on Dec 31, 2018 12:29:07 GMT -5
What do you all think the odds are for China and Brazil to lose their respective pools at the IOQT? Both teams are far from invincible. Hell Brazil is downright shaky at this point. Plus I think Giovanni Guidetti can spin straw into gold with this young Turkish team. Look what he did with the Dutch from 2014-2016.
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Post by speegs13 on Jan 9, 2019 11:48:22 GMT -5
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Post by speegs13 on Jan 9, 2019 11:55:34 GMT -5
I'm guessing:
Pool A: Serbia Pool B: China Pool C: USA Pool D: Brazil Pool E: Russia Pool F: Italy
Asia: Thailand (or South Korea) Africa: Cameroon Europe: Netherlands N. America: Dominican Republic S. America: Argentina (or Peru)
Cannot guess at the pools for Tokyo, mainly because only two of Russia/Italy/Netherlands can participate in the World Cup - and that will drastically change the rankings between those three.
Honestly, a pretty fair qualification system. At least more that Rio where they were just handing spots to NORCECA. Could make an argument that the continental qualifiers should be played first, but those seem to be more last-chance qualifiers.
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Post by breakoutsports on Jan 9, 2019 16:48:17 GMT -5
Apparently, Cuba withdrew from the tournament and Poland is the next team in line in FIVB rankings. I am assuming they don't have the money to send the team to the World Cup? Man oh man, Cuba, the once supreme volleyball champions now reduced to the point that they can't even afford to bring their team overseas. Judging by how much they have declined, maybe the dissolution of the whole team is not far off at this point. Has Cuba ever withdrawn from the tournament before? Or have other teams? I have a hard time seeing Cuba not be able to cough up the money for this. (I'm not an expert on Cuban volleyball though)
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Post by speegs13 on Jan 9, 2019 17:11:35 GMT -5
Cannot guess at the pools for Tokyo, mainly because only two of Russia/Italy/Netherlands can participate in the World Cup - and that will drastically change the rankings between those three. I found the continental rankings for Europe: www.cev.eu/Rankings/Women.aspxUnless the CEV either uses World Rankings or a separate qualification tournament, I don't think Russia will qualify for the WC this year. They're currently ranked fourth in Europe, and I don't think the 2019 European Championships will be used as a qualifier since it is roughly a week before the World Cup. So that would mean Russia drops to about 8-10th, and Italy/Netherlands will jump up a few spots.
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Post by c4ndlelight on Jan 9, 2019 17:19:09 GMT -5
With ICOQT the first weekend in August, and Euros from Aug 23 to September 8th, I wouldn't be surprised if the CEV squads sent B teams to the World Cup. (It starts September 15th - they'd basically have to fly there straight from the finals).
The World Rankings points are important, but the key is to just get into the tournament - not to necessarily win it (and there are enough weak teams in the field they'll still get a ton of points even with a B team).
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Post by ironhammer on Jan 9, 2019 19:56:48 GMT -5
I am assuming they don't have the money to send the team to the World Cup? Man oh man, Cuba, the once supreme volleyball champions now reduced to the point that they can't even afford to bring their team overseas. Judging by how much they have declined, maybe the dissolution of the whole team is not far off at this point. Has Cuba ever withdrawn from the tournament before? Or have other teams? I have a hard time seeing Cuba not be able to cough up the money for this. (I'm not an expert on Cuban volleyball though) Well, given how much Cuba volleyball has declined from their once local lofty status, it is not a hard time imagining they don't even have money for travel and accommodations. Yes, they have withdrawn from a number of international tournaments in the last decade. They did not qualify for the 2011 World Cup and did not participate in a number of World Grand Prix and Pan American Cups. Not to mention the fact they could not qualify for the last 2 Olympic games. To put that into perspective, Cuba was once the reigning 3 time Olympic Champions in the 90's. That is how far they have dropped from the top. In any case, Cuba is a budget strapped country and if a team isn't likely to bring home the trophies, it's hard to justify spending precious cash on something that won't bring home national glory.
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Post by ToddyJ on Jan 9, 2019 22:13:47 GMT -5
I'm guessing: Pool A: Serbia Pool B: China Pool C: USA Pool D: Brazil Pool E: Russia Pool F: Italy Asia: Thailand (or South Korea) Africa: Cameroon Europe: Netherlands N. America: Dominican Republic S. America: Argentina (or Peru) Cannot guess at the pools for Tokyo, mainly because only two of Russia/Italy/Netherlands can participate in the World Cup - and that will drastically change the rankings between those three. Honestly, a pretty fair qualification system. At least more that Rio where they were just handing spots to NORCECA. Could make an argument that the continental qualifiers should be played first, but those seem to be more last-chance qualifiers. Don't rule out Turkey and Guidetti. They are very much a threat to both China in Pool B and at the Continental Qualifiers. Yes they are definitely on the outside looking in but Guidetti always has a trick or two up his sleeve. They did not have a good run at the WCH but they will only get better as the quad progresses. IMO they have a huge pool of players to choose from. The team is young but Guidetti can and probably will add more experienced players to the roster at crunch time to pull off some upsets.
My predictions are almost the same but I am pulling for some major upsets to occur. If, and this is a very BIG if, Turkey and Azerbaijan pull off some upsets on China and Brazil respectfully then that would knock out the weaker AVC and CSV teams. China and Brazil would have to win their continental qualifiers and the Olympic Games would be one of the most competitive in a long time.
6 CEV teams, 2 NORCECA, 2 AVC, 1 CABV and 1 CSV.
Much. Stouter. Tournament.
We shall see.
Your predictions are more plausible and I would love to see Thailand play in it's first Olympics. Also Colombia is in the running for a CSV berth. They did well at the Pan Am Cup and placed higher than Argentina and Peru. In NORCECA....Canada and Mexico could challenge the Dominicans.
Just some thoughts :-)
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Post by speegs13 on Jan 9, 2019 22:33:16 GMT -5
Don't rule out Turkey and Guidetti. They are very much a threat to both China in Pool B and at the Continental Qualifiers. Yes they are definitely on the outside looking in but Guidetti always has a trick or two up his sleeve. They did not have a good run at the WCH but they will only get better as the quad progresses. IMO they have a huge pool of players to choose from. The team is young but Guidetti can and probably will add more experienced players to the roster at crunch time to pull off some upsets.
I agree and disagree about Turkey. I think they'll be a force next quad (and maybe Poland), but I think Tokyo might be a bit soon for them. Only reason I say that is their performance in the World Championships didn't really convince me they can make a push. They were 0-12 in sets against USA, Italy, China, and Russia. When the chips were down, I don't think they responded all that well. Sure they shocked everyone with a silver medal at the VNL, but by the WCH, the competition level was higher and everyone had more film on them. I'd almost compare it to 2015 WGP Karsta Lowe to World Cup Lowe. Plus Europe is too packed at the moment. Serbia, Italy, Netherlands are strong and Russia is hanging on Gonch. After Tokyo, I think the level of Serbia, Netherlands, and Russia will drop by varying degrees - leaving room for Turkey to rise up.
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Post by ToddyJ on Jan 9, 2019 22:45:52 GMT -5
Yeah they are definitely more of a lock post 2020.
which players on the Serbian and Dutch rosters do you think will retire from the National Team?
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Post by speegs13 on Jan 9, 2019 23:06:09 GMT -5
Yeah they are definitely more of a lock post 2020. which players on the Serbian and Dutch rosters do you think will retire from the National Team? By Tokyo for the Dutch: Balkestein-Grothues will be 32 Slöetjes will be 29 (30 by November) Dijkema will be 30 Buijs will be 28 For Serbia: Mihajlović will be 29 Rašić will be 29 (30 in October) Ognjenović will turn 36 during the olympics Idk who will retire right away and who won't, but these are key players for these two teams that I think would be nearing the end of their primes post-Tokyo. I think this hurts the Dutch more because I don't think they have as much depth, especially for the L2 with Balkestein-Grothues - she's the Jordan Larson for the Dutch in terms of her defense and serve receive. Serbia to me the big loss would be Ognjenović. I'd honestly be shocked if she didn't retire after Tokyo, but she makes Serbia sooooooo much better as a team. If she goes to Tokyo, Serbia is the favorite for the gold. If she doesn't, I think Serbia is still a favorite to medal, but not the overwhelming favorite.
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Post by ToddyJ on Jan 9, 2019 23:10:36 GMT -5
I plan to be there for the whole run of the Olympics. I am pulling for any team to win the gold but China and Brazil. I think we are all ready for a first time wearer of the Olympic Crown. Though I would love for the USA to win....I definitely wouldn't mind Serbia or Italy taking home the gold. There should be some incredible volleyball played :-)
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Post by ToddyJ on Jan 9, 2019 23:14:44 GMT -5
Speaking of ages of players at the time of the Olympics check out Team USA's offering S: Lloyd (31), Hancock (27), Carlini (25) OH: Larson (33), Hill (30), MBH (30), Kingdon-Rishel (27), Wilhite-Parsons (25), Lee (23) MB: Akinradewo (32), Adams (30), Dixon (28), Gibbemeyer (31), Ogbogu (25), Washington (24), H. Tapp (25) Opp: Murphy (30), Lowe (27), Drews (27), Whitney (28) L: Robinson (28), Courtney (26), Benson (25), Wong-Orantes (24) Here it is...the horror clear as day. Cold. Hard. Data. USWNT = #OLD We need an infusion of some youth and vitality.....ASAP!
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trojansc
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Post by trojansc on Jan 18, 2019 19:14:17 GMT -5
I found an interesting quote from a Polish volleyball article quote. "The world federation wanted the women's qualifying tournament also to take place in Poland, where Polish volleyball players will face Serbia, Puerto Rico and Thailand. Financial requirements may be an obstacle here. The tournament host must pay 500,000 dollars to the FIVB account. - We are negotiating to set lower amounts - says Przedpełski." Polish men will host their group of the Olympic Qualification, though it has not been officially announced. Who knows what's true, but I heard that Poland was offered an opportunity to host but declined because of the amount. This kind of sounds in line with the article, but who else stepped in to host? I have heard conflicting reports of Brazil's volleyball federation not wanting (or able) to put up the money to host, versus an article saying that the event will be played in Brazil. If they are negotiating, does that mean Polish women still have a chance to host? Are the top federations not willing to shell out 500k to host for an Olympic Qualifier?
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