Post by ironhammer on Sept 1, 2016 22:54:52 GMT -5
Prior to the Olympics, we were saying Serbia will be the one of the darkhorses at the games. Well the result have proven that Serbia has indeed obtained the ability to upset the favorites. I don't think Serbia is a darkhorse anymore, but a legitimate and bona fide volleyball power in its own right. If there was a "most improved" team award, it would be given to Serbia. They were ranked 11th at London and lost all (or almost lost all) their matches in 2012 but now got a silver in Rio? Talk about a leap in performance. And promising players like Tijana Bošković is only 19, so she she should have many years of playing ahead. So, are there still any questions Serbia is a now volleyball power to be reckoned with?
And speaking of most improved, Netherlands has also risen rapidly under coach Guidetti Giovanni. Holland didn't even managed to qualify for the Olympics prior to Giovanni's tenure. Their last appearance at the games was way back in Atlanta in 1996. And now they have reached the bronze medal game. Credit must be given to Giovanni. He coached Vakifbank in the Turkish league to domestic and world club championships. And he has now proven that he also have the ability to coach successfully at the national level. Netherlands should certainly be a rising volleyball power to watch, right?
And on the flip side of the coin, on declining performance, Brazil certainly got a nasty shock. Getting eliminated at the quarterfinals was Brazil's worst performance at the Olympics since Seoul '88. Granted, that match against China could have gone either way and luck may have played a part. But still, a loss is a loss. Will Ze Roberto remain as coach?
And speaking of most improved, Netherlands has also risen rapidly under coach Guidetti Giovanni. Holland didn't even managed to qualify for the Olympics prior to Giovanni's tenure. Their last appearance at the games was way back in Atlanta in 1996. And now they have reached the bronze medal game. Credit must be given to Giovanni. He coached Vakifbank in the Turkish league to domestic and world club championships. And he has now proven that he also have the ability to coach successfully at the national level. Netherlands should certainly be a rising volleyball power to watch, right?
And on the flip side of the coin, on declining performance, Brazil certainly got a nasty shock. Getting eliminated at the quarterfinals was Brazil's worst performance at the Olympics since Seoul '88. Granted, that match against China could have gone either way and luck may have played a part. But still, a loss is a loss. Will Ze Roberto remain as coach?