US v. Cuba--I was there! Spoiler

[StanfordFan]

I just got to my computer after leaving the game. Didn't want to throw this in the play by play thread.

From my perspective, the game was awesome because I screamed my head off (with Chinese people around looking at me oddly as I shouted Mei Guo Jia You ["Go America" in Chinese]). The game itself, however, was actually not that exciting because the US was very much in control the entire time. This is the most I've ever seen the US play as a team. It was quite nice to see.

I was very surprised that most of the Chinese audience was screaming for Cuba--the notable exception being the huge yelling when Lan Ping was introduced.

I think Cuba's service errors and weak passing really did them in today. When Cuba got a good pass, they were skying over the US block and hitting with much more power. The US I think prevailed mostly with smart hitting. Willoughby and Glass maybe had one or two hits that made the audience gasp, but overall, the US was not playing a power game.

Logan started crying on the court after the last point and gave Lan Ping a huge hug. Glad to see she's got some emotion after all.

That's it for now. Going to men's matches tomorrow and will provide a report, if it's of interest to people.

[tenniscraze]

Well, it doesn't come as a surprise considering how they were bitter about China's loss to USA. Even Chinese newspapers have quoted Lang Ping's former close friend, chess player, who questioned why she had to coach USA.

[cardfan15]

Tenniscraze, I don't think it has to do at all with being bitter. Having attended many of the matches here in Beijing, it's been my experience that the fans just want to get their money's worth out of the match. In matches that went longer than 3 sets, there were many times the arena would completely switch sides, rooting for whoever was losing or about to lose the match.

Another observation is that a large amount of the fans were very intrigued with some of the more vocal, active fans from other countries. They often enjoyed joining along with these fans just because it was something new and different, sort of culture shock for them playing host to the world. I mean USA doesn't have the most "fun" fans, to be honest. I think to chalk this up to bitterness would be a total misunderstanding of how the Chinese are interpreting the success of Team USA and Lang Ping.

[cruncher]

Stanford - Great reportage. Thanks for the first-hand perspective.

[XAsstCoach]

Aug 21, 2008 8:04:29 GMT -5 cardfan15 said:

Another observation is that a large amount of the fans were very intrigued with some of the more vocal, active fans from other countries.

I recall watching a few pro basketball games here and the fans are either dead or an image painted on canvas. They just sat there, rarely clapped....cheerleaders sat on the bench and cheered from there. I'm sure the rowdy fans from overseas are definitely a surprise to the locals.

[Vball818]

Aug 21, 2008 4:57:05 GMT -5 StanfordFan said:

I just got to my computer after leaving the game. Didn't want to throw this in the play by play thread.

From my perspective, the game was awesome because I screamed my head off (with Chinese people around looking at me oddly as I shouted Mei Guo Jia You ["Go America" in Chinese]). The game itself, however, was actually not that exciting because the US was very much in control the entire time. This is the most I've ever seen the US play as a team. It was quite nice to see.

I was very surprised that most of the Chinese audience was screaming for Cuba--the notable exception being the huge yelling when Lan Ping was introduced.

I think Cuba's service errors and weak passing really did them in today. When Cuba got a good pass, they were skying over the US block and hitting with much more power. The US I think prevailed mostly with smart hitting. Willoughby and Glass maybe had one or two hits that made the audience gasp, but overall, the US was not playing a power game.

Logan started crying on the court after the last point and gave Lan Ping a huge hug. Glad to see she's got some emotion after all.

That's it for now. Going to men's matches tomorrow and will provide a report, if it's of interest to people.

Thanks for cheering our team on when you watched us defeat Cuba(even though they gave us 25 free points).
Getting back to Logan Tom...just wondering and I've asked this question before...why is it that because she doesn't show her emotions that it rubs you(and other Volleytalk members) the wrong way? If it bothers you it bothers you...I'll leave it at that...not gonna persuade you to lighten up on her...just curious.
Anyway...thanks for cheering them on Stanford Fan.