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Post by butteryhands on Mar 15, 2019 18:33:46 GMT -5
Let's remember it's early in the season. The toughest thing will be staying healthy.
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Post by COVAlove on Mar 15, 2019 18:43:32 GMT -5
Let's remember it's early in the season. The toughest thing will be staying healthy. Agreed. And maintaining that competitive fire they seem to have brought with them this tourney. Hopefully these guys woke up and realized this is their last shot and are taking it seriously.
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Post by tamz on Mar 15, 2019 19:25:53 GMT -5
As there’s a SME block on the YouTube video for the Dalcena match vs Poland, I could only watch the semifinals against Spain. If anyone knows how to unblock, please share!
Set 1: Tech timeout was at 12-9. Dalcena burned a timeout at 18-14, after Spain had a huge block. But the timeout didn’t help much after as they came back and made it 19-17. The boys were walking on thin wire after Nick had a service net and then blocked by Gavira to make it 20-19. Spain was almost successful in trying to serve to tie the scores with a dig but the overpass allowed Big Phil to finish off the set. In terms of sideout, both Nick and Phil weren’t that great in this set. Phil’s blocks were not on fire and Spain had probably double the amount against Nick, who had 3 or 4 service errors, but digging game was strong. And Spain had at least four errors.
Set 2: Both Phil and Nick did a better job siding out. From 7-4 to tech timeout at 13-8, Phil’s blocking’s absolutely came to life and was a pleasure to watch with 4 blocks. After the timeout, Spain struggled and it could be seen in the body language. Errors were stacking up and Nick was getting to and touching balls. Spain only scored another 3 points and the match ended at 21-11.
The beginning of the video had weather conditions and wind conditions noted as 22km/hr or 12.5mph.
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Post by guest2 on Mar 15, 2019 19:33:38 GMT -5
The same Chilean team that many practically called garbage a week ago... anything less than a 21-3, 21-4 victory will be unacceptable in the eyes of a few. I dont think they are terrible, but this is the first time they have really been in contention at a big event and they have been on tour for a long time. Maybe they are coming into their own, they are right at that age, but more likely is they are having a great run of form an Phil will bring them back to Earth a little. I would say they are somewhere around 12-20th best on the World Tour right now, but its early season and parity is extreme on the men's side. That said, I'd love it if they can continue to compete with the top teams, God knows we need someone from South America to do so - although I think Evandro/Bruno will be the best SA team and a top 5 team overall this year.
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Post by tamz on Mar 15, 2019 20:25:58 GMT -5
USA vs Poland Quarterfinal works now.
Set 1: Both teams pretty much consistently siding out. A lot of scrappy play. Tech timeout at 11-10. At 15-13, after Nick missed a dig, Dalcena take a timeout. They turn it up a few notches from there. To make it 20-14, Phil blocks a ball from his right and the Poles just watch as the ball drops onto the other sideline. Set ends at 21-14 with a tapdown from Phil.
Set 2: Phil argues over the referee’s call on him for a net touch at 10-10. After coming back from the tech timeout at 11-10, they give up four straight points. Phil got frustrated at himself for controlling the ball badly. This is followed by Nick letting a ball drop into the back line and then a shot into the net. Kantor sets a ball across the net and Dalcena just look at each other. At 11-14, they use their timeout. The mistakes start to stack up for the Polish, service errors, hitting out of bounds, and hitting into the net. Poland calls a timeout at 16-15 but coming back, they have no luck. Kantor is aced, blocked, and then aced again by Phil. Match ends at 21-17. Phil is more aggressive and went on 2 more.
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Post by COVAlove on Mar 15, 2019 22:25:14 GMT -5
Watched several matches tonight including ESP, POL and QAT. Other than Qatar, Nick looks as good as I’ve ever seen him. He appears quicker and more explosive than ever. Going on 2 to Phil at the right moments but Nick is moving defensively like he is 25. He’s swinging much more aggressively and using the block well when the shot isn’t there. These guys are dialed in and have faced some adversity but remained calm and played through it. If they come out with any intensity tomorrow they should win gold.
Side note: has Phil shortened his approach on his jump serve? It appears so and I can’t recall if he has always tossed left handed but he is now and although it’s not vintage Phil, it’s been enough to create scrambles.
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Post by guest2 on Mar 15, 2019 22:38:35 GMT -5
Watched several matches tonight including ESP, POL and QAT. Other than Qatar, Nick looks as good as I’ve ever seen him. He appears quicker and more explosive than ever. Going on 2 to Phil at the right moments but Nick is moving defensively like he is 25. He’s swinging much more aggressively and using the block well when the shot isn’t there. These guys are dialed in and have faced some adversity but remained calm and played through it. If they come out with any intensity tomorrow they should win gold. Side note: has Phil shortened his approach on his jump serve? It appears so and I can’t recall if he has always tossed left handed but he is now and although it’s not vintage Phil, it’s been enough to create scrambles. Shorter approach could be due to the wind this event, or Phil finally doing something about how inconsistent that jump serve as been for so long. I love Nick when he is swinging aggressively. Even when he gets blocked a good amount its preferable to shooting all the time.
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Post by COVAlove on Mar 15, 2019 22:48:22 GMT -5
Watched several matches tonight including ESP, POL and QAT. Other than Qatar, Nick looks as good as I’ve ever seen him. He appears quicker and more explosive than ever. Going on 2 to Phil at the right moments but Nick is moving defensively like he is 25. He’s swinging much more aggressively and using the block well when the shot isn’t there. These guys are dialed in and have faced some adversity but remained calm and played through it. If they come out with any intensity tomorrow they should win gold. Side note: has Phil shortened his approach on his jump serve? It appears so and I can’t recall if he has always tossed left handed but he is now and although it’s not vintage Phil, it’s been enough to create scrambles. Shorter approach could be due to the wind this event, or Phil finally doing something about how inconsistent that jump serve as been for so long. I love Nick when he is swinging aggressively. Even when he gets blocked a good amount its preferable to shooting all the time. I agree. Off the net I like Him short soft low swing line or line over but for angle or anything tight I prefer him swinging. Hardest swing for him is hard swing seam but when he’s locked in like this week he can make a killing there as well.
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Post by guest2 on Mar 16, 2019 1:00:10 GMT -5
Let's remember it's early in the season. The toughest thing will be staying healthy. Thats a good point, also Nick and Phil have gotten a very good draw, in that, while Poland and Spain are both very good teams, Nick/Phil also match up very well with them (particularly Spain). Phil was 12-1 career against Spain before yesterday and he and Nick were 4-0 Phil/Nick had also beaten Poland 4 times in a row (only one 3 setter) - I think Phil's mobility and long arms make it harder for Poland to use their quick offense effectively. Hopefully they can keep this up and maybe get a nice year long rivalry with Mol/Sorum going. Would love to see those guys play in a lot of finals this year. I also like that Phil seemed pretty aggressive on two, maybe a little moreso than he has been in a while
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Post by donnyb on Mar 16, 2019 4:12:01 GMT -5
They played great. The courts looked hard, if so that’s why nick was jumping I think and being aggressive. When it’s deep sand they struggle
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Post by COVAlove on Mar 16, 2019 7:34:26 GMT -5
They played great. The courts looked hard, if so that’s why nick was jumping I think and being aggressive. When it’s deep sand they struggle Definitely looks like jumpers sand.
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Post by JB Southpaw on Mar 16, 2019 8:42:51 GMT -5
How odd that FIVB hasn’t posted the links for the medal matches yet? Usually they have it days/hours before they begin. info was in the 2nd tweet on the home page:
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Post by tamz on Mar 16, 2019 9:04:49 GMT -5
Found it on the YouTube page at the end!
Here’s the upcoming stream for the gold medal match which begins at 11AM:
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Post by tamz on Mar 16, 2019 9:06:58 GMT -5
Bronze Medal Match:
Set 1 — 21-17 to Spain
Spain had a 5 points lead at tech timeout but Poland came back in after struggling.
Set 2 — 23-21
Spain wins bronze after a misserve from Poland and then a block from Spain.
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Post by tamz on Mar 16, 2019 9:10:49 GMT -5
The stadium definitely looks more filled compared to last year.
Let's go USA. Gold medal match begins any second now!!
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