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Post by ToddyJ on May 18, 2021 13:10:57 GMT -5
If Hanes can produce for the team better than Patch, then I don't care what kind of attitude he has.
I mean, look at N'Gapeth and half of Poland and Iran's roster. They throw a hissy fit each time things don't go their way but at the end of the day, if a player can fire up a team and get the USA to win, I don't really care if they have an attitude.
Now, if his behavior has a toxic effect on the team, which we will soon discover, then I don't see him making the cut, especially if he can't put the ball away.
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Post by ToddyJ on May 18, 2021 13:11:38 GMT -5
For me it is more about the fact he was the 25th ranked opposite out of 29 in the French league. And the only ones below him only played in 1 or 5 matches throughout the season. Who Hanes?
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Post by ToddyJ on May 18, 2021 13:13:44 GMT -5
Will somebody tell me ANYTHING about this Italian Roster (see first page of the thread)? I only recognize the captain, Nelli and maybe one of the liberos. Will this team be able to win any matches vs all of these other stacked teams?
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Post by basil on May 18, 2021 13:27:42 GMT -5
Will somebody tell me ANYTHING about this Italian Roster (see first page of the thread)? I only recognize the captain, Nelli and maybe one of the liberos. Will this team be able to win any matches vs all of these other stacked teams? Other then Nelli, the only names I recognize are OHs Gardini from BYU and Bottolo (I think he was a starter on Kawika's team in the league this last year). Capable young players. I don't see them beating any of the top teams though.
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Post by bruinsgold on May 18, 2021 13:47:00 GMT -5
Will somebody tell me ANYTHING about this Italian Roster (see first page of the thread)? I only recognize the captain, Nelli and maybe one of the liberos. Will this team be able to win any matches vs all of these other stacked teams? I only pay attention to the OHs for Italy but I really like Michieletto. I think he's got the brightest future once a couple of the vets retire. I also saw Bottolo a few times (yes, he's on K. Shoji's pro team) and I thought he was brilliant. He was getting all kinds of kills from different shots and places on the court. Obviously, we all know Gardini, but if it comes down to passing, I'm going with Bottolo/Michieletto every game before Gardini.
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Post by netsetter on May 18, 2021 14:55:45 GMT -5
I heard from someone who works in the industry in Italy who said Micheletto is the most promising talent to come from Italy in the last 20 years. He is tall and can pass nails. Not overly powerful, didn't have to shoulder much of an offensive load for Trentino this year, but he doesn't make many mistakes in attack.
Bottolo caught a lot of folks by storm and was the bright spot in Padova's lineup this year. I agree that both Bottolo and Micheletto will start over Gardini. Recine played opposite of Loepkky at Ravenna. He came into the season as their gun, but was overtaken by the Canadian rookie.
Sbertoli and Spirito have been around for a while. I know there are people who like Spritio, but not the biggest fan. He is not very young (about 27-28). He finds himself on teams (I first learned of him when he was the backup setter for Sander's Verona squad). Sbertoli is 23 or so and has been in Milano's roster for a number of years. I think he is pretty good.
I think they are very weak at opposite. Nelli had a horrendous year at Belogorie after a lackluster season at Piacenza. Pinali had his best year as a professional for Ravenna. He was actually in the top 10 in points scored and almost scored 4 points per set, but he only hit .209 with a 40% kill percentage. Cavuto was on an awful team and was relegated to the bench behind Sabbi. He ended up seeing the floor as an OH because Tillie and Randazzo were playing so poorly.
Galassi is a good middle blocker. He played well for a surprising Monza (with Max Holt). Vitelli did ok for Padova, and I don't know the others. Cortesia and Mosca were on the bench for Trentino and Milan respecitvely.
They are fine at libero. Nothing stellar but fine.
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Post by q5 on May 18, 2021 15:18:39 GMT -5
The team is now training with masks on and last week they were not. Did someone test positive or are they being precautious before they head out to Italy? Anyone got information on this?
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Post by bruinsgold on May 18, 2021 15:21:04 GMT -5
I heard from someone who works in the industry in Italy who said Micheletto is the most promising talent to come from Italy in the last 20 years. He is tall and can pass nails. Not overly powerful, didn't have to shoulder much of an offensive load for Trentino this year, but he doesn't make many mistakes in attack. Bottolo caught a lot of folks by storm and was the bright spot in Padova's lineup this year. I agree that both Bottolo and Micheletto will start over Gardini. Recine played opposite of Loepkky at Ravenna. He came into the season as their gun, but was overtaken by the Canadian rookie. Sbertoli and Spirito have been around for a while. I know there are people who like Spritio, but not the biggest fan. He is not very young (about 27-28). He finds himself on teams (I first learned of him when he was the backup setter for Sander's Verona squad). Sbertoli is 23 or so and has been in Milano's roster for a number of years. I think he is pretty good. I think they are very week at opposite. Nelli had a horrendous year at Belogorie after a lackluster season at Piacenza. Pinali had his best year as a professional for Ravenna. He was actually in the top 10 in points scored and almost scored 4 points per set, but he only hit .209 with a 40% kill percentage. Cavuto was on an awful team and was relegated to the bench behind Sabbi. He ended up seeing the floor as an OH because Tillie and Randazzo were playing so poorly. Galassi is a good middle blocker. He played well for a surprising Monza (with Max Holt). Vitelli did ok for Padova, and I don't know the others. Cortesia and Mosca were on the bench for Trentino and Milan respecitvely. They are fine at libero. Nothing stellar but fine. Great assessment! I 1000% agree about Michieletto -- he has the potential to be one of the best Italy has produced in a long time. Spirito set for Jaeschke and Verona this year, right? He's good, but not the best of what Italy has to offer. Should do fine enough leading this young team.
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Post by bruinsgold on May 18, 2021 15:22:07 GMT -5
The team is now training with masks on and last week they were not. Did someone test positive or are they being precautious before they head out to Italy? Anyone got information on this? Maybe just getting a headstart on the tournament's strict guidelines?
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Post by ToddyJ on May 18, 2021 15:58:50 GMT -5
Rosters are posted in full on the first page.
I had to run errands today and just got around to finishing them.
What does everyone think? I am going to add a poll here in a bit.
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Post by ToddyJ on May 18, 2021 16:16:31 GMT -5
Notable absences per team IMO:
Brazil: Lucas Saatkamp
Poland: ?
USA: Aaron Russell
Russia: ?
Argentina: ?
France: Kevin LeRoux
Italy: All their Olympic Roster.
Iran: ?
Japan: ?
Canada: ?
Serbia: ?
Slovenia: ?
Bulgaria: This appears to be a youth team with Sokolov as the captain.
Australia: Several of their veteran Outside Hitters are missing but their names escape me.
Germany: Grozer (he retired?) Not sure about the rest.
All of the ?'s are because I either don't know enough about the roster or do not recall any notable absences. Please chime in and let me know since I don't follow the men's game as much during the year.
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Post by bruinsgold on May 18, 2021 16:21:22 GMT -5
I think, unlike the women's side, this VNL is packed with all stars, making this just about anyone's game.
I'm not even going to count out Italy's young squad. Last VNL, Poland sent their B team and they upset quite a few teams, going all the way to the semis.
I'm leaning a few different ways, but too early for me to call.
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Post by basil on May 18, 2021 16:33:38 GMT -5
Notable absences per team IMO: Brazil: Lucas Saatkamp Poland: ? USA: Aaron Russell Russia: ? Argentina: ? France: Kevin LeRoux Italy: All their Olympic Roster. Iran: ? Japan: ? Canada: ? Serbia: ? Slovenia: ? Bulgaria: This appears to be a youth team with Sokolov as the captain. Australia: Several of their veteran Outside Hitters are missing but their names escape me. Germany: Grozer (he retired?) Not sure about the rest. All of the ?'s are because I either don't know enough about the roster or do not recall any notable absences. Please chime in and let me know since I don't follow the men's game as much during the year. Iakoblev for Russia (he's injured so idk if you include him), but he probably will be at the Olympics I'd assume. It's insane how loaded these teams are and how little-drop off teams like Poland and Russia have on their bench. I love that the men bring their studs to the VNL consistently and are doing it this year too. Imo, the top contenders are Russia, Poland, USA, Serbia, Brazil, and France, probably in that order. Iran, Japan, Argentina, and Canada look dangerous. Plus, Slovenia made it to the European Championships final in 2019? There's so much balance, it's really crazy.
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Post by ToddyJ on May 18, 2021 16:40:41 GMT -5
I think Poland's roster is scary. The fact that they are going to leave several of those players at home for Tokyo is astounding.
They are the only team that I will shocked if they don't make the finals here.
USA I think could be on the outside looking in. Not having Russell really hurts us. Speraw will be doing lots of shuffling and that could cost them some crucial wins. I don't see him playing the starters every single match.
Argentina's roster looks great too. They are my underdogs I always root for. De Cecco really makes this team tick.
Brazil can never be underestimated though I will always root for whoever their opponent is because they have been at the top for too long. Sorry not sorry.
Russia will definitely be tested. They may have won the previous two editions but the rosters in this edition are the best they have been to date. Will they go the distance?
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Post by ToddyJ on May 18, 2021 16:45:01 GMT -5
Notable absences per team IMO: Brazil: Lucas Saatkamp Poland: ? USA: Aaron Russell Russia: ? Argentina: ? France: Kevin LeRoux Italy: All their Olympic Roster. Iran: ? Japan: ? Canada: ? Serbia: ? Slovenia: ? Bulgaria: This appears to be a youth team with Sokolov as the captain. Australia: Several of their veteran Outside Hitters are missing but their names escape me. Germany: Grozer (he retired?) Not sure about the rest. All of the ?'s are because I either don't know enough about the roster or do not recall any notable absences. Please chime in and let me know since I don't follow the men's game as much during the year. Iakoblev for Russia (he's injured so idk if you include him), but he probably will be at the Olympics I'd assume. It's insane how loaded these teams are and how little-drop off teams like Poland and Russia have on their bench. I love that the men bring their studs to the VNL consistently and are doing it this year too. Imo, the top contenders are Russia, Poland, USA, Serbia, Brazil, and France, probably in that order. Iran, Japan, Argentina, and Canada look dangerous. Plus, Slovenia made it to the European Championships final in 2019? There's so much balance, it's really crazy. I agree with you. Iran, Japan and Argentina have been trending upwards this quad. Also, The Netherlands replacing China, one of the last pushover teams, makes literally each match a slugfest. Teams will have to watch their error rate. I see Bulgaria, Australia and Italy probably landing near the bottom just based on their roster choices. Italy is lucky they got the easier pool in Tokyo. They seem to have stagnated this quad and the youth coming up aren't at the same level as the vets who are aging out IMO.
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