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Post by ToddyJ on Apr 30, 2021 13:57:59 GMT -5
Hello everyone! The 2021 International Volleyball Season is upon us! The Men's portion of the VNL, held in a bubble in Rimini Italy, begins on the 28th of May! Here is the schedule: www.volleyball.world/vnl/2021/scheduleTeam USA's schedule: (All times CDT) Week 1: 5/28: vs. Canada @ 11:00 AM 5/29: vs. Brazil @ 2:00 PM 5/30: vs. Argentina @ 9:00 AM Week 2: 6/3: vs. Russia @ 2:00 PM 6/4: vs. Poland @ 11:00 AM 6/5: vs. Australia @ 11:00 AM Week 3: 6/9: vs. Iran @ 9:00 AM 6/10: vs. Germany @ 9:00 AM 6/11: vs. Serbia @ 9:00 AM Week 4: 6/15: vs. Italy @ 2:00 PM 6/16: vs. France @ 12:30 PM 6/17: vs. Netherlands* @11:00 AM Week 5: 6/21: vs. Slovenia @ 11:00 AM 6/22: vs. Bulgaria @ 6:00 AM 6/23: vs. Japan @ 6:00 AM *China withdrew from the competition and were replaced by The Netherlands. Relegations will not occur this year so The Netherlands will get to play back to back VNL's since China also withdrew from the 2022 edition. All matches will be available on VolleyballTV. Right now it is available in the USA without a VPN. I'm not sure if that will be the case once the tournament starts. Typically the subscription is a one time bill of around 18 Euros (don't quote me) for the ENTIRE SEASON. Last year I had to use a VPN which can cost around 100$ for a year. I do not think that FloSports is covering it this year. I would also invite you all to catch the USA Women's team, also in action in the Rimini Bubble! Their matches are held during the week in between the men's weeks and get underway on the 25th of May! Lots of good ball to be watched after a near two year hiatus! This thread will be for general discussion of the tournament and probably for non-USA matches, however, I welcome individual threads for big clashes like Brazil, Poland, Italy and Russia when they go head to head, or any match anyone feels motivated to create a separate thread for. I will try to create threads, with polls predicting the match outcomes, on the Thursday before the new week of matches starts! Cheers!
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Post by ToddyJ on Apr 30, 2021 13:58:15 GMT -5
Rosters
Teams in World Ranking Order
Brazil (1): S: Bruno Rezende (C), Fernando Kreling OPP: Wallace Souza, Alan Souza, Filipe Roque OH: Ricardo Lucarelli, Yoandy Leal, Douglas Souza, Mauricio Borges, Gabriel Kavalkievicz MB: Isac Santos, Mauricio Souza, Flavio Gualberto, Matheus Santos L: Thales Hoss, Maique Nascimento
Poland (2): S: Fabian Drzyzga, Grzegorz Lomacz, Marcin Janusz Opp: Bartosz Kurek, Maciej Muzaj, Lukasz Kaczmarek OH: Wilfredo Leon, Michal Kubiak (C), Aleksander Sliwka, Kamil Semeniuk, Bartosz Bednorz, Tomasz Fornal MB: Piotr Nowakowski, Jakub Kochanowski, Mateusz Bieniek, Karol Klos L: Pawel Zatorski, Damian Wojtaszek
USA (3): S: Micah Christenson, Kawika Shoji, Joshua Tuaniga OPP: Benjamin Patch, Kyle Ensing, Jake Hanes OH: Taylor Sander (C), Matthew Anderson, Thomas Jaeschke, Garrett Muagututia, Torey DeFalco, Brendan Sander MB: Maxwell Holt, David Smith, Jeffrey Jendryk, Mitchell Stahl, Taylor Averill L: Erik Shoji, Dustin Watten
Russia (4): Defending VNL Champions (2x) Setters: Igor Kobzar (C), Pavel Pankov Opposites: Maxim Mikhailov, Viktor Poletaev Outside hitters: Denis Bogdan, Dmitry Volkov, Egor Kliuka, Yaroslav Podlesnykh, Anton Semyshev Middle blockers: Dmitriy Muserskiy, Ilya Vlasov, Artem Volvich, Ilyas Kurkaev Liberos: Evgeny Baranov, Valentin Golubev
Argentina (5): S: Luciano De Cecco (C), Nicolas Uriarte, Matias Sanchez OPP: Federico Pereyra, Bruno Lima OH: Facundo Conte, Cristian Poglajen, Ezequiel Palacios, Jan Martinez Franchi, Nicolas Mendez, Nicolás Lazo, Luciano Palonsky MB: Sebastian Solé, Pablo Crer, Agustin Loser, Martin Ramos L: Santiago Danani, Franco Massimino
France (6): S: Benjamin Toniutti (C), Antoine Brizard, Léo Meyer OPP: Stephen Boyer, Jean Patry, Théo Faure OH: Earvin Ngapeth, Trevor Clevenot, Kevin Tillie, Thibault Rossard, Julien Lyneel, Yacine Louati MB: Nicolas Le Goff, Barthélémy Chinenyeze, Daryl Bultor, Mousse Gueye L: Jenia Grebennikov, Benjamin Diez
Italy (7): S: Riccardo Sbertoli (C), Luca Spirito OPP: Gabriele Nelli, Giulio Pinali, Oreste Cavuto, OH: Davide Gardini, Alessandro Michieletto, Francesco Recine, Mattia Bottolo, MB: Gianluca Galassi, Marco Vitelli, Lorenzo Cortesia, Leandro Ausibio Mosca L: Fabio Balaso, Leonardo Scanferla, Filippo Federici
Iran (8): S: Mir Saeid Marouflakrani (C), Mohammad Taher Vadi, OPP: Amir Ghafour, Saber Kazemi, Mohammadjavad Manavinezhad, Bardia Saadat OH: Milad Ebadipour, Purya Fayazi, Meisam Salehi, Amirhossein Esfandiar MB: Reza Abedini, Seyed Mousavi, Masoud Gholami, Aliasghar Mojarad, Ali Shafiei L: Mohammadreza Hazratpourtalatappeh, Arman Salehi
Japan (9): S: Naonobu Fujii, Masahiro Sekita, Masaki Oya OPP: Yuji Nishida, Kunihiro Shimizu, Issei Otake OH: Yuki Ishikawa (C), Tatsuya Fukuzawa, Kenta Takanashi, Tatsunori Otsuka, Ran Takahashi MB: Akihiro Yamauchi, Taishi Onodera, Haku Ri, Kentaro Takahashi L: Tomohiro Yamamoto, Tomohiro Ogawa
Canada (10): S: Tyler Sanders, Jay Blankenau, Brett Walsh OPP: Sharone Vernon-Evans, Ryan Sclater OH: John Perrin (C), Nicholas Hoag, Stephen Maar, Steven Marshall, Eric Loeppky MB: Graham Vigrass, Daniel Vandoorn, Lucas Van Berkel, Arthur Szwarc, Danny Demyanenko L: Blair Bann, Jordan Pereira
Serbia (11): S: Nikola Jovovic, Aleksa Batak, Vuk Todorovic OPP: Aleksandar Atanasijevic, Drazen Luburic, Bozidar Vucicevic OH: Uros Kovacevic, Marko Ivovic, Miran Kujundžić, Pavle Peric, Davide Kovac MB: Marko Podrascanin (C), Srecko Lisinac, Petar Krsmanovic, Stevan Simic L: Nikola Pekovic, Milorad Kapur
Slovenia (12): S: Dejan Vincic, Gregor Ropret, Gregor Pernuš, OPP: Tonček Štern, Mitja Gasparini, Alen Šket OH: Tine Urnaut (C), Klemen Čebulj, Žiga Štern, Jan Klobucar, Rok Možič MB: Alen Pajenk, Jan Kozamernik, Sašo Štalekar, Matic Videčnik, L: Jani Kovačič
Bulgaria (14): S: Georgi Seganov, Svetoslav Stankov, Vladimir Stankov, OPP: Tsvetan Sokolov (C), Radoslav Parapunov OH: Martin Atanasov, Gordan Lyutskanov, Georgi Petrov, Asparuh Asparuhov, Svetoslav Ivanov, Denis Karyagin MB: Stefan Chavdarov, Nikolay Kartev, Nikolay Kolev, Aleks Grozdanov L: Vladislav Ivanov, Martin Ivanov
Australia (15): S: Arshdeep Dosanjh, Nicholas Butler OPP: Lincoln Alexander Williams, Matthew Aubrey OH: Luke Smith, Thomas Douglas-Powell, Max Senica, Tim Taylor, Ethan Garrett, Tobi Azeez, Sam Flowerday MB: Nehemiah Mote (C), Beau Graham, Steven Macdonald, James Weir, Trent O'dea L: Luke Perry, Billy Greber
The Netherlands (16): S: Wessel Keemink, Markus Held, Gijs Van Solkema, Freek De Weijer OPP: Nimir Abdel-Aziz (C) OH: Thijs Ter Horst, Gijs Jorna, Bennie Junior Tuinstra, Stijn Van Schie, Stijn Van Tilburg MB: Fabian Plak, Michael Parkinson, Luuc Van Der Ent,, Maikel Van Zeist, Twan Wiltenburg L: Just Dronkers, Steven Ottevanger, Robbert Andringa
Germany (21): S: Lukas Kampa (C), Eric Burggräf, Jan Zimmermann OPP: Simon Hirsch, Linus Weber OH: Christian Fromm, Ruben Schott, Moritz Reichert, David Sossenheimer, Erik Röhrs MB: Marcus Böhme, Noah Baxpöhler, Florian Krage, Tobias Krick, Lukas Maase L: Denys Kaliberda, Julian Zenger
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Post by ToddyJ on Apr 30, 2021 13:58:56 GMT -5
So far the details known are the following:
25 people (MAX) per federation (including Coaching Staff + 1 Covid Regulations Enforcer)
Teams must present a long list of up to 35 athletes and staff by April 30th.
Teams are allowed to swap out 6 athletes (from the long list of 35) at the start of the 3rd week, however, if any athletes leave the bubble, they cannot reenter it.
So most rosters will look like 17-18 players + 7-8 staff in the bubble. 14 will be suited up each match.
The tournament is a 16 team round robin with the top 4 teams making it to the finals where there will be two semi final matches and a bronze and gold medal match.
Either during or shortly after the finals, the Olympic rosters must be submitted to the IOC so this tournament will likely determine who goes to the OG's and who stays home!
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Post by ToddyJ on May 1, 2021 22:13:13 GMT -5
I'll get to digging on rosters over the weekend. I think I have seen on the FIVB's news thread that several federations have released their extended rosters. On the girls side Karch laying down the law on extracurricular activities and point system for violations. How do you know this? Spill the tea!
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volleybolero
Junior
Clevenot, Carle, Louati, T. Rossard, Chinenyeze and Padar
Posts: 489
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Post by volleybolero on May 2, 2021 20:55:10 GMT -5
Russia's not holding back
Setters: Alexander Butko, Igor Kobzar, Dmitry Kovalev, Pavel Pankov
Opposites: Maxim Zhigalov, Maxim Mikhailov, Dmitriy Muserskiy, Viktor Poletaev
Outside hitters: Denis Bogdan, Dmitry Volkov, Fedor Voronkov, Egor Klyuka, Yaroslav Podlesnykh, Sergey Savin, Anton Semyshev, Andrey Surmachevsky
Middle blockers: Ilya Vlasov, Artem Volvich, Ilyas Kurkaev, Vadim Likhosherstov, Dmitry Lyzik, Ivan Yakovlev
Liberos: Evgeny Baranov, Valentin Golubev, Sergey Melkozerov
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Post by basil on May 2, 2021 21:29:34 GMT -5
Russia's not holding back Setters: Alexander Butko, Igor Kobzar, Dmitry Kovalev, Pavel Pankov Opposites: Maxim Zhigalov, Maxim Mikhailov, Dmitriy Muserskiy, Viktor Poletaev Outside hitters: Denis Bogdan, Dmitry Volkov, Fedor Voronkov, Egor Klyuka, Yaroslav Podlesnykh, Sergey Savin, Anton Semyshev, Andrey Surmachevsky Middle blockers: Ilya Vlasov, Artem Volvich, Ilyas Kurkaev, Vadim Likhosherstov, Dmitry Lyzik, Ivan Yakovlev Liberos: Evgeny Baranov, Valentin Golubev, Sergey Melkozerov Interesting that they're officially listing Muserskiy as opposite. I'd wager that their best lineup would still be him in the middle but maybe they're still planning on playing him in the middle and just have him listed at oppo. Edit: Also, can any other country say they have the luxury of having two top, top-notch opposites like Mikhailov and Poletaev? Russia is stacked again.
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Post by ToddyJ on May 2, 2021 21:41:08 GMT -5
This is what I like about the Men's side. All the best players are present at basically every tournament. Yeah some sit the VNL out but in the years leading up to the big tournaments (WCH and OG) all the stars show up. The same cannot be said for the women's side, which annoys me as a fan of the sport. I get that wear and tear is a thing and that these athletes play long seasons, but at least show up if your team makes the finals in any given tournament, especially if you are healthy. I realize roster selection is up to the coaches but I know those conversations take place and that youth needs to get into the pipe line. I just think the men's game does a better job of balancing this.
Rant. Over.
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Post by basil on May 2, 2021 21:47:30 GMT -5
For the men, have Brazil and Japan put out their rosters or a preliminary list? I only ask because I know the Brazilian women put out a training list and the Japanese men did a friendly with the Chinese NT. I doubt there'll be many surprises on either but I wonder if there's an official list out.
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Post by basil on May 2, 2021 22:07:20 GMT -5
I am sad that Aaron Russell is basically out for this international season due to needing hip surgery (if I read the reports correct). USA's medal hopes might be dashed since they are in such a tough pool. I wonder if Speraw will consistently try Anderson and Sander on the left and Patch on the right. Granted it's Germany, but Ben looks better and better every time I catch his match highlights. If Ben struggles, move Anderson to the right and then bring in Jaeschke on the left? I agree, this is a really tough chance for us. Our matches against Argentina and France will be huge, but potentially hitting Poland or Italy in the quarterfinals is really rough.
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Post by ToddyJ on May 2, 2021 22:15:46 GMT -5
I am sad that Aaron Russell is basically out for this international season due to needing hip surgery (if I read the reports correct). USA's medal hopes might be dashed since they are in such a tough pool. I wonder if Speraw will consistently try Anderson and Sander on the left and Patch on the right. Granted it's Germany, but Ben looks better and better every time I catch his match highlights. If Ben struggles, move Anderson to the right and then bring in Jaeschke on the left? I agree, this is a really tough chance for us. Our matches against Argentina and France will be huge, but potentially hitting Poland or Italy in the quarterfinals is really rough. Pool B is so stacked, I fear that with out Russell, USA could crash out in pool play. Argentina and France are looking better and better and Russia and Brazil are already hard to beat when we are at full strength. I'm not sure the team is even as good as they were in Rio with out David Lee TBH. Granted the younger guys (Sander, Russell and Christenson) are all vastly improved, but will it be enough with out Russell? How is Jaeschke? He sure spent this entire quad injured.
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