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Post by sIsam on Jan 8, 2004 7:22:18 GMT -5
GER def RUS 3-2 (25-21 16-25 23-25 25-16 15-13)
With this result, GER makes it to the semi-finals and RUS is out of the tournament in Baku. Russia will get another chance in Japan for a spot in the Olympics as the second best ranked European team.
GER will most likely play TUR in the semi (assuming POL wins vs AZE and TUR wins vs NED, both matches later today) and ITA and POL is likely to battle the other semi.
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Post by brybry on Jan 8, 2004 11:53:01 GMT -5
GER def RUS 3-2 (25-21 16-25 23-25 25-16 15-13) With this result, GER makes it to the semi-finals and RUS is out of the tournament in Baku. Russia will get another chance in Japan for a spot in the Olympics as the second best ranked European team. GER will most likely play TUR in the semi (assuming POL wins vs AZE and TUR wins vs NED, both matches later today) and ITA and POL is likely to battle the other semi. Wow. This is quite remarkable. Is Russia only w/o Artamanova? What do you think the chances are of Russia not qualifying for the Olympics? I guess that depends who is playing at that tournament in Japan. |
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Post by sIsam on Jan 8, 2004 14:05:50 GMT -5
It really is remarkable and the results of the last 6 months of so maybe signalling the end of Russian dominance in Europe.
I'd say their chances of qualifying in Japan are pretty good, esp since three teams go from there. However, then we thought they were a shoe-in for ECH where they finished 5th and then the definite favorite for this Baku tournament and they are not even in the Semis let alone win... So you never know...
Artamonova is the only one missing on their roster (though IMHO a team RUssia's caliber should not be so dependent on one single player.) A couple of their players might have injury worries though. In this tourney they were hurt by bad reception and subpar setting especially...
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Post by roy on Jan 8, 2004 16:07:23 GMT -5
It really is remarkable and the results of the last 6 months of so maybe signalling the end of Russian dominance in Europe. I'd say their chances of qualifying in Japan are pretty good, esp since three teams go from there. However, then we thought they were a shoe-in for ECH where they finished 5th and then the definite favorite for this Baku tournament and they are not even in the Semis let alone win... So you never know... Artamonova is the only one missing on their roster (though IMHO a team RUssia's caliber should not be so dependent on one single player.) A couple of their players might have injury worries though. In this tourney they were hurt by bad reception and subpar setting especially... I agree. I think their chances are pretty good, but I wonder who their competition there will be. Italy has also lost in the European qualifier, and I can see Germany or Poland also being sent to Japan. I would also think Korea or Japan will be sent there, depending on who doesn't qualify for their tournament. |
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Post by sIsam on Jan 8, 2004 16:12:13 GMT -5
I agree. I think their chances are pretty good, but I wonder who their competition there will be. Italy has also lost in the European qualifier, and I can see Germany or Poland also being sent to Japan. I would also think Korea or Japan will be sent there, depending on who doesn't qualify for their tournament. if italy wins the ticket here then rus and ned go to japan. (that would really suck because three teams that are currently better than these two will be definitely left out) if one other than italy wins then rus and ita go. and there are no wild card spots i think. 4 of the 8 competing will get a spot in olympics so pretty much any european team going there should get one. we will see... for pol, ger and tur though baku is the last chance. |
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Post by foreignball on Jan 8, 2004 16:20:56 GMT -5
if italy wins the ticket here then rus and ned go to japan. (that would really suck because three teams that are currently better than these two will be definitely left out) if one other than italy wins then rus and ita go. and there are no wild card spots i think. 4 of the 8 competing will get a spot in olympics so pretty much any european team going there should get one. we will see... for pol, ger and tur though baku is the last chance. Is this the reason why NED lost all their games in Baku knowing they have another chance  |
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Post by sIsam on Jan 8, 2004 16:26:45 GMT -5
Kim Staelens' absense affected them big time. Not only did they lose their setter but also their best server as well. They just seemed to fall apart and have not adjusted at all to the new setter. This acually brings another point that has been discussed before within the VB community here: Your backup setter needs to be an experienced one not a promising upcoming player even if the young player is better talent-wise. It's really difficult for them to step in when they need to. Also they get to go to Japan IF Italy wins and hopefully that will not happen (since we play them tomorrow  ) |
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Post by USAFAN on Jan 8, 2004 16:55:02 GMT -5
Does 1 team get to go from the Asian region? And since China already qualified does that mean that Japan or Korea is most likely to get that bid?
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Post by roy on Jan 8, 2004 18:46:46 GMT -5
Correct me if I am wrong, but I thought only 3 teams from the "at large" tournament get to go. There are 3 from the World Cup, 5 from the 5 continental qualifier tournaments, the host, and the final selections are from the at large tournament.
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Post by sIsam on Jan 9, 2004 1:19:08 GMT -5
The tournament also counts as the Asian qualifier. So the highest finishing Asian team goes as well as the top three finishers (or top four if one is an Asian team).
I'd say with the big guns out both Japan and Korea will gave a decent chance there.
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Post by USAFAN on Jan 9, 2004 2:01:21 GMT -5
Japan and Korea are no slouch and I wouldn't be suprised to see them win over the European teams. Japan is a fast rising team, and they have the right amount of talent and experience to make it to the Olympics. Korea as well was at the last Olympics and they are always a strong team. I am actually hoping that both the Asian teams go, because quite frankly besides Italy and Russia the European teams bore me.
This is a sidenote, has Spain or France ever fielded a national team? Those big countries seem like they would have ateam.
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Post by sIsam on Jan 9, 2004 2:12:53 GMT -5
Have you seen GER, POL and TUR play recently? I think if you'd seen them playing, you would not say any team besides RUS and ITA bore you. I gotta tell you this their style of play is a lot more fun to watch than RUS. ITA is OK but the above three teams currently stand out as the teams playing the best vb in europe right now. If I had to pick two teams from Europe to go to OG I'd pick Italy (they're the world champions after all and the WC should be in the olympics) and one of the other three forementioned. The Russia of last year or so does not even come anywhere close to some teams in Europe. In addition, Russia's style of play is the one that's boring IMO. After Kirillova left them as setter, their play has been slow, predictable and totally reliant on power. It just is not fun to watch I think.
I agree with you about Japan but Korea I don't. There at least 6 teams in Europe who would beat Korea comfortably. I've seen them at World Cup and was not impressed at all. But from the way things are, both Japan and Korea have a darn good chance to make it in...
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Post by USAFAN on Jan 9, 2004 3:21:03 GMT -5
I have seen them play, and I just don't find the charisma in the players. There is just something that I can't pinpoint about the Italians that makes them likeable, and the height and stature, along with Karpol make me enjoy the Russian team. Don't get me wrong the Polish, Turkish, and German team are all very good and are all very worthy of the Olympic games. But when the tournaments are going on they don't stand out like Cuba, or China, or Italy.
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Post by sIsam on Jan 9, 2004 3:37:10 GMT -5
Well personally Karpol has begun boring me about 5-6 years ago. His screaming at his players has grown old and annoys me. I agree about Italians and I think it all boils down to the fact that women's vb in Italy is a big big deal and big business. They get a lot of press time (both written and TV). They have a potential and a good chance to make good use of it too.
GER, TUR and POL are the newcomers and still their wins are considered surprises. Both press and tournament organizers (and even refs) are still not used to these teams winning against the likes of Italy and Russia. As a result, they do not get the recognition they deserve.
Even here in Turkey, it is just recently that these girls are starting to be treated as celebrities. Now people actually recognize them on the streets and ask for autographs etc. They get airtime on TV a lot more than before and papers write more about volleyball and volleyball magazine. I know Germany has a similar problem with coverage (and lack of success at last year's WCH really hurt them) and it's probably the same for POL.
I think these teams and their players have plenty of charisma and personality, just not an opportunity to showcase it yet. It should come with time.
Of the three, Germany is the one that plays with the most heart out there I think. It's just amazing to see the way they come together as a TEAM whether they are winning or losing... Both POL and TUR come a close second.
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