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Post by Sbilo on Aug 12, 2016 9:51:58 GMT -5
China might face the #1 team in the other pool - either Brazil or Russia.
Italy is assuredly out of the quarters with 3 losses.
Did anyone expected this at all?
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Post by ironhammer on Aug 12, 2016 10:08:22 GMT -5
Yes. Watching the Olympic qualifications and the WGP this year, neither team seems to be in form.
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Post by vampiro on Aug 12, 2016 10:13:12 GMT -5
Not surprised by either.
At WGP, the most recent tour, once China left their home country they were terrible in pretty much all matches. They don't look good here at Rio either. Even Japan looks better than them and puts up a fight.
Italy is a mess. Too young, too inexperienced, too undertrained. Not a good cycle to have such a young team.
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trojansc
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Post by trojansc on Aug 13, 2016 5:11:00 GMT -5
Not surprised by either. At WGP, the most recent tour, once China left their home country they were terrible in pretty much all matches. They don't look good here at Rio either. Even Japan looks better than them and puts up a fight. Italy is a mess. Too young, too inexperienced, too undertrained. Not a good cycle to have such a young team. I'm sorry but Japan does NOT look better than China. Japan is 1-9 in sets against Korea, Brazil, and Russia combined. China lost in 5 to the Netherlands (tougher than Korea, Sloetjes might be more terminal and her supporting cast is better than Kim's) and got swept by Serbia. China did sweep Italy and Puerto Rico, though. China can still be dangerous. I'm not sure who would want to take on Zhu in a QF match, even though she hasn't been as huge of an impact here in Rio. Italy is a disappointment but I wasn't sure what to expect with their Roster. They were missing players in their prime, only had the befores and afters. Anyways, I'm excited for the Quarterfinals. -Japan vs. Argentina is the only question mark left. They will play head to head for a QF berth. Japan is the heavy favorite. Argentina went 5 with Cameroon. But stranger things have happened. China looks destined to finish #4. I don't see them winning over USA. So, it might be better to be the loser of the Brazil/Russia match tomorrow. USA need to take care of business with China so I don't expect USA to come out relaxed. A QF matchup with Japan or Argentina is the DREAM scenario for Karch. |
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Post by ironhammer on Aug 13, 2016 7:07:18 GMT -5
Not surprised by either. At WGP, the most recent tour, once China left their home country they were terrible in pretty much all matches. They don't look good here at Rio either. Even Japan looks better than them and puts up a fight. Italy is a mess. Too young, too inexperienced, too undertrained. Not a good cycle to have such a young team. I'm sorry but Japan does NOT look better than China. Japan is 1-9 in sets against Korea, Brazil, and Russia combined. China lost in 5 to the Netherlands (tougher than Korea, Sloetjes might be more terminal and her supporting cast is better than Kim's) and got swept by Serbia. China did sweep Italy and Puerto Rico, though. China can still be dangerous. I'm not sure who would want to take on Zhu in a QF match, even though she hasn't been as huge of an impact here in Rio. Italy is a disappointment but I wasn't sure what to expect with their Roster. They were missing players in their prime, only had the befores and afters. Anyways, I'm excited for the Quarterfinals. -Japan vs. Argentina is the only question mark left. They will play head to head for a QF berth. Japan is the heavy favorite. Argentina went 5 with Cameroon. But stranger things have happened. China looks destined to finish #4. I don't see them winning over USA. So, it might be better to be the loser of the Brazil/Russia match tomorrow. USA need to take care of business with China so I don't expect USA to come out relaxed. A QF matchup with Japan or Argentina is the DREAM scenario for Karch. You are right, China still can be dangerous, especially if Zhu can power away unimpeded. But volleyball is more than 1 person, the rest of the Chinese team has been letting her down. Their mental game is weak. They do not know how to adapt on court if their strategy is not working. They have a habit of choking at crucial points. I don't see them putting off an upset against US. I won't say its impossible, but China is unlikely to progress beyond the quarter-finals. I am more interested in how Serbia and Netherlands will do. Can they make it into the semi-final? |
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Post by deacondive on Aug 13, 2016 7:21:33 GMT -5
Not surprised by either. At WGP, the most recent tour, once China left their home country they were terrible in pretty much all matches. They don't look good here at Rio either. Even Japan looks better than them and puts up a fight. Italy is a mess. Too young, too inexperienced, too undertrained. Not a good cycle to have such a young team. I'm sorry but Japan does NOT look better than China. Japan is 1-9 in sets against Korea, Brazil, and Russia combined. China lost in 5 to the Netherlands (tougher than Korea, Sloetjes might be more terminal and her supporting cast is better than Kim's) and got swept by Serbia. China did sweep Italy and Puerto Rico, though. China can still be dangerous. I'm not sure who would want to take on Zhu in a QF match, even though she hasn't been as huge of an impact here in Rio. Italy is a disappointment but I wasn't sure what to expect with their Roster. They were missing players in their prime, only had the befores and afters. Anyways, I'm excited for the Quarterfinals. -Japan vs. Argentina is the only question mark left. They will play head to head for a QF berth. Japan is the heavy favorite. Argentina went 5 with Cameroon. But stranger things have happened. China looks destined to finish #4. I don't see them winning over USA. So, it might be better to be the loser of the Brazil/Russia match tomorrow. USA need to take care of business with China so I don't expect USA to come out relaxed. A QF matchup with Japan or Argentina is the DREAM scenario for Karch. I could totally see Russia throwing that match. I do not think they want a brutal quarterfinal matchup again. |
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Post by ironhammer on Aug 13, 2016 7:37:11 GMT -5
I'm sorry but Japan does NOT look better than China. Japan is 1-9 in sets against Korea, Brazil, and Russia combined. China lost in 5 to the Netherlands (tougher than Korea, Sloetjes might be more terminal and her supporting cast is better than Kim's) and got swept by Serbia. China did sweep Italy and Puerto Rico, though. China can still be dangerous. I'm not sure who would want to take on Zhu in a QF match, even though she hasn't been as huge of an impact here in Rio. Italy is a disappointment but I wasn't sure what to expect with their Roster. They were missing players in their prime, only had the befores and afters. Anyways, I'm excited for the Quarterfinals. -Japan vs. Argentina is the only question mark left. They will play head to head for a QF berth. Japan is the heavy favorite. Argentina went 5 with Cameroon. But stranger things have happened. China looks destined to finish #4. I don't see them winning over USA. So, it might be better to be the loser of the Brazil/Russia match tomorrow. USA need to take care of business with China so I don't expect USA to come out relaxed. A QF matchup with Japan or Argentina is the DREAM scenario for Karch. I could totally see Russia throwing that match. I do not think they want a brutal quarterfinal matchup again. If that does happen (not saying its likely, but assuming it actually occurs), who will Russia face in the quarter-finals? China? |
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Post by gobruins on Aug 13, 2016 7:39:01 GMT -5
I'm sorry but Japan does NOT look better than China. Japan is 1-9 in sets against Korea, Brazil, and Russia combined. China lost in 5 to the Netherlands (tougher than Korea, Sloetjes might be more terminal and her supporting cast is better than Kim's) and got swept by Serbia. China did sweep Italy and Puerto Rico, though. China can still be dangerous. I'm not sure who would want to take on Zhu in a QF match, even though she hasn't been as huge of an impact here in Rio. Italy is a disappointment but I wasn't sure what to expect with their Roster. They were missing players in their prime, only had the befores and afters. Anyways, I'm excited for the Quarterfinals. -Japan vs. Argentina is the only question mark left. They will play head to head for a QF berth. Japan is the heavy favorite. Argentina went 5 with Cameroon. But stranger things have happened. China looks destined to finish #4. I don't see them winning over USA. So, it might be better to be the loser of the Brazil/Russia match tomorrow. USA need to take care of business with China so I don't expect USA to come out relaxed. A QF matchup with Japan or Argentina is the DREAM scenario for Karch. I could totally see Russia throwing that match. I do not think they want a brutal quarterfinal matchup again. The problem with that theory is that if you (Brazil or Russia) lose to avoid China in the quarters, you have a 50-50 chance of winding up on the same side of the bracket as USA. If you win the pool, 100% you don't have to play USA until the gold medal match. |
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Post by Sbilo on Aug 13, 2016 7:49:34 GMT -5
I think it will be Brazil vs China in the quarters.
And the prize for Russia in taking the 2nd spot in Pool A is a date with either Netherlands or Serbia. I think Netherlands and Serbia are very capable of defeating the Russians.
USA, assuming they defeat the Chinese, will have the easiest quarterfinals in either Japan or Argentina.
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Post by speegs13 on Aug 14, 2016 0:54:55 GMT -5
I just realized this, but if both USA and Brazil win tomorrow, there's a decent chance that Brazil, China, Russia, and Serbia will end up on the same side of the bracket. Talk about a rough path to get to the finals. Meanwhile, the US could end up with Japan and either Netherlands or South Korea for their two matches.
Of course, who knows how the drawing of lots will go
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Post by volleyguy on Aug 14, 2016 2:14:35 GMT -5
The quarter finals is a crossover competition, so the top finisher in pool A (A1) definitely plays against B4, and vice versa, B1 vs A4. The drawing of lots determines whether it is A2 vs B3 & B2 vs A3, or, A2 vs B2 & A3 vs B3 in the quarter finals. So, it basically doesn't make a difference if you finish 2nd or 3rd in your pool in terms of who you play in the quarter finals--your opponent (from the opposite pool) will be determined by a drawing of lots.
Depending on the outcome of the quarters, it will be possible for teams from the same pool to play against one another again in the semis and/or finals.
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Post by ironhammer on Aug 14, 2016 4:18:17 GMT -5
I am guessing the semi-finals will include US, Russia, Brazil and maybe Serbia or Netherlands. Anyone else agree or disagree?
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Post by midnightblue on Aug 14, 2016 8:28:27 GMT -5
All I know is this: I don't want to see NED next week.
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Post by Sbilo on Aug 14, 2016 21:40:09 GMT -5
Brazil is up 2-0 over Russia, now in the 3rd set and looks like the Brazilian women will sweep the Russians.
So here's the quarterfinal match up:
A1 (USA) vs B4 (Japan)
B1 (Brazil) vs A4 (China)
A2 (Netherlands) & A3 (Serbia) vs B2 (Russia) & B3 (Korea)
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Post by speegs13 on Aug 14, 2016 22:30:50 GMT -5
It official:
Brazil vs. China
South Korea vs. Netherlands
Russia vs. Serbia
USA vs. Japan
All times TBD, but I'm guessing Brazil/China gets the late match
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