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Post by timduckforlife on May 18, 2021 17:06:06 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. I think what you're seeing from Italy is just resting their Olympic roster. How many young guys, meaning under 30, do they have that start. I'm sure they'll be practicing together. they've been there, done that in terms of the competition. Their starters don't really need that time to acclimate to pro-level competition. I think it's a good plan to really throw the young guns into the vnl and see who excels.
That said, I've hear the same about Michieletto basically considered to be elite level and a starter for Italy for years to come.
In terms of Gardini, I'm actually curious if he's healthy. After his abyssmal showing in the NCAA final, I questioned his overall health. Seemed like he had a hand issue and a lingering knee issue that was slowing him down, but I guess we'll be able to tell by how much playing time he gets.
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Post by thekid on May 18, 2021 17:10:30 GMT -5
Anyone want to comment on Tuaniga making the roster over Ma’a? I’ve always preferred Ma’a for his all around athleticism. Nothing against Josh.
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Post by vballin999 on May 18, 2021 17:15:57 GMT -5
Anyone want to comment on Tuaniga making the roster over Ma’a? I’ve always preferred Ma’a for his all around athleticism. Nothing against Josh. Yeah. He's simply not in the gym this summer. He is not training for VNL or Tokyo... Completely agree with you though. Josh may have the "better" hands, but Micah's all around game is much stronger.
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Post by basil on May 18, 2021 17:16:52 GMT -5
Anyone want to comment on Tuaniga making the roster over Ma’a? I’ve always preferred Ma’a for his all around athleticism. Nothing against Josh. I agree that I generally prefer Ma'a, but he hasn't been training with the national team this summer so Tuaniga is naturally the next choice.
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Post by Spike Town on May 18, 2021 17:54:03 GMT -5
Anyone want to comment on Tuaniga making the roster over Ma’a? I’ve always preferred Ma’a for his all around athleticism. Nothing against Josh. Tuaniga is the next best, pure setter after Christenson.
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Post by tamz on May 18, 2021 17:59:10 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? Not a fan of Italy not sending their Best Lineup for men’s and women’s when the VNL is being held IN Italy. Wheres the pride?
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Post by akbar on May 18, 2021 18:28:36 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? Not a fan of Italy not sending their Best Lineup for men’s and women’s when the VNL is being held IN Italy. Wheres the pride? It may have been a decision by the federation or coach's or even maybe push back from the players. They still have a pretty veteran core who has become quite obstinate about rest and time off these past few years.
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Post by basil on May 18, 2021 18:29:11 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? Not a fan of Italy not sending their Best Lineup for men’s and women’s when the VNL is being held IN Italy. Wheres the pride? I mean...I get wanting to rest your players before the Olympics? But at least send them for the last three weeks/the finals, especially on your home court. A little match play will only help at this level.
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rstclaire1
Sophomore
VLA commentator/podcast host, Purdue alum, Chicago based
Posts: 228
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Post by rstclaire1 on May 18, 2021 19:06:44 GMT -5
It's on the FIVB in my opinion to make VNL a tournament worth sending your best team to...every national team treats it as a competitive training ground for whatever more important tournament is later that summer. There's nothing REALLY on the line. It needs to be a qualifier for something important, or be worth a lot more world ranking points, or a much bigger cash prize to make it worth sending the A team to every match. And honestly, I'm not even sure if having every team play their starters every match would be the right thing for the tournament.
Also, in regards to Italy, they can do literally whatever they want with no consequences. The VNL was literally created so that Italy wouldn't have to be relegated to World League Group 2, for this exact same reason. They sent their worst team to every weekend in the 2017 World League, got dead last in Group 1, and would've been relegated if not for the switchover in tournaments.
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Post by basil on May 18, 2021 20:02:35 GMT -5
It's on the FIVB in my opinion to make VNL a tournament worth sending your best team to...every national team treats it as a competitive training ground for whatever more important tournament is later that summer. There's nothing REALLY on the line. It needs to be a qualifier for something important, or be worth a lot more world ranking points, or a much bigger cash prize to make it worth sending the A team to every match. And honestly, I'm not even sure if having every team play their starters every match would be the right thing for the tournament. Also, in regards to Italy, they can do literally whatever they want with no consequences. The VNL was literally created so that Italy wouldn't have to be relegated to World League Group 2, for this exact same reason. They sent their worst team to every weekend in the 2017 World League, got dead last in Group 1, and would've been relegated if not for the switchover in tournaments. I agree. Serbia on the women's side literally does the exact same thing and sends almost none of their "A" players. And tbh I'm not sure ranking points is enough of a motivator unless it's massive enough. Gotta have the tournament qualify for something, maybe better seeding for the higher tournaments? So it would be a combination of overall world rank and that year's VNL performance? Just an idea but FIVB's gotta do something. I like that USAV gets to line their pockets every season but we got to get something more competitive.
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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 18, 2021 21:26:08 GMT -5
I voted for
Poland Russia France Slovenia
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Post by ToddyJ on May 18, 2021 22:06:16 GMT -5
France, Russia and Brazil do have a hard on for this tournament. They tend to over perform here for sure. Those are all safe bets but I think Poland will probably go all the way.
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Post by bruinsgold on May 18, 2021 23:13:15 GMT -5
France, Russia and Brazil do have a hard on for this tournament. They tend to over perform here for sure. Those are all safe bets but I think Poland will probably go all the way. Has France gotten past all their team drama? Are they finally ready to perform? All the pieces that can never seem to fit together.
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Post by bruinsgold on May 18, 2021 23:15:32 GMT -5
Also who's playing in that second OH spot opposite N'Gapeth? If it's Tillie, I don't see France living up to expectations.
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Post by basil on May 18, 2021 23:29:36 GMT -5
Also who's playing in that second OH spot opposite N'Gapeth? If it's Tillie, I don't see France living up to expectations. Personally, I think it should be Rossard. He had an awesome season for Vibo and gets it done in every phase of the game. But as a USA fan, I hope it's Tillie lol. I think France's best lineup in general is Ngapeth, Rossard, Patry (Boyer is too inconsistent), Toniutti, Le Roux, Le Goff, Grebennikov. Not having Le Roux at the VNL is a pretty big blow.
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