Cuba

[Murina]

Bell, Torres, Costa and Gato all practiced with the Cuban National team today! It is not known if they will return for the Olympics.

Fun for speculation...

[brybry]

Yikes. If a top-level Cuban team gets thrown into the mix, the US is going to have a really tough time getting gold in Athens. Have Gato, Torres, Bell and Costa kept up their level of play?

[BeiBei]

Not sure if Gato and Bell are needed as much as Torres and Costa. Ruiz is great on the outside and Ortiz is really coming along nicely during the last world championship, she ranked second in hitting percentage which is brillant for an outside hitter. Barros is a good middle but Carillo is not developing as well as expected, she is still young though. Cuba was badly hit when Aguero defected, Costa is not at Aguero's level but she is still better than the other setters on the team.

Even if these players do not come back, I do not think that USA can win the gold. China is too strong right now and Brazil always been USA's nemesis. Now if this Cuban players are back, heard that Russia is trying to get Gratcheva, Vassileskaia and Chackova/Kilic back although I think that the chances of Chackova/Kilic coming back is very slim. I will not be surprised if team USA comes back empty handed

[USAFAN]

China was dominant in the World Cup, but they are far from untouchable. USA took them to 5 games and this was the first tournament with Ah Mow settting. If Cuba adds Torres, Costa, and Bell that would bring the Cuban level up tremendously. If Torres is at all near her top form she is incredible, and Bell is too experienced with three Olympic golds under her belt not to play if she is taken along. I have a feeling that all of them will not be going to Athens, but maybe one or two.
The addition of the Russian players will be suprising if it happens. Vassilevskya and Chachkova seem to have not liked the Karpol style and I think they have settled into what they are doing now, I will be suprised if they come back. I think Karpol's biggest mistake was starting Gamova over Godina. Godina is now in Spain and has not been with the Russian team. Gamova was pretty great at the beginning, but not nearly effective as she was earlier. Godina is just as big time as Artamanova.
I think the USA definitely has a shot at the gold, but the entire team has to be clicking on all cylinders. Heather Bown has been some what of a dissapointment to me, she always starts but her presence isn't as dominating as Scott's and she doesn't put up big numbers. Whoever plays the opposite position also needs to have a big tournament. I am hoping for Haneef because she can get the kills and put up a big block, but Nancy Metcalf has been playing great lately and capable of putting up big hitting numbers. Keba Phipps and Danielle Scott are going to have to come up huge as leaders and I don't think that should be a problem. Serving and passing for the USA will be the most important. They are great blockers and attackers, to run a good offense they have to pass. Logan Tom is probably the big ex factor. Not only does she have to play well, but do it consistently throughout the tournament. In many tournaments she has a great match and then one below par. She needs to maintain a consistent level of play. I think this is one of the best chances that USA has to medal. They've defeated China, Brazil, Cuba, and Russia more times this quadrennial than in a long time.

[IT]

ucla said:

Not sure if Gato and Bell are needed as much as Torres and Costa. Ruiz is great on the outside and Ortiz is really coming along nicely during the last world championship, she ranked second in hitting percentage which is brillant for an outside hitter. Barros is a good middle but Carillo is not developing as well as expected, she is still young though. Cuba was badly hit when Aguero defected, Costa is not at Aguero's level but she is still better than the other setters on the team.

Agree that Costa and to a lesser extent Torres is needed more than Bell or Gato. Although Bell was a pretty decent passer and defender which is also lacking in the current Cuban team. I am not sure that bringing Torres on will benefit. Although used sparingly at the World Champs. in Germany she was not as effective as in the past. She could be brought along as the third Middle but in watching the cuban players during the Cuba/USA match, they seemed almost in awe and intimidated when Torres was on the court, kinda like playing with your coach. You don't want to do something that will upset them thus you unknowlingly play with caution and apprehension.

Costa, Torres, and Bell have practiced with the Cuban team before at other times during this quadrennial especially prior to the World Championships. The Cubans need a setter that will take control of the game and that is what Marlenis brought to the table. She may not be flashy or particularly deceptive but she knows how to run the show. Which is something lacking in Mesa and Munoz. In Germany, it looked like the hitters were telling the setters what to do rather then letting the setter dictate the offense.

[sIsam]

here's my two cents to what's being discussed in no particular order...

First of all the addition of forementioned players to the Cuban team would give them a big boost. That is a team that is aiming for the Olympics and has been on the rise since a couple of years ago (they visited turkey then and played some matches with our nt and eczacibasi).

Second of all, while the US does have a chance for a gold medal, they are not the favorites IMO. China and Brazil would be my picks and you can't take russia out of the equation at any time.

Godina does not have good relations with Karpol currently (they're in court over her playing in Spain). So almost no chance of seeing her in russian nt soon. Godina is as big a hitter as artamonova but does not have her consistency or fundamental. (she played for eczaci two years ago was the best player in CL thruout the season and then totally froze during Final Four when it counted the most.) She's also been struggling with injury...

Would not be surprised at all if Russia gets back at least one of the former setters in there. Chukanova's play has been very subpar and their backup setter is very young. As for chachkova you never know...

It is very interesting that of the matches turkey lost in world cup the matches vs US and China were the two that were determined on nuances. This means that both these teams are vulnerable vs good serving teams (which is what our team did there.) Same thing goes for Poland's result vs USA.

I think it's still ways to go for olympics. there is still an entire season to play.... injuries and such will come into consideration. things might be very different come may or june....