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Post by Disc808 on Jul 10, 2021 16:38:36 GMT -5
Italy takes the match 3-1. I know it's a "friendly", but it looked like pretty good quality VB and it was quite spicy (lots of chatter with the ref, stares through the net, etc). I personally don't think Argentina has the pins to make it out of pool play. Yes, they're a solid team with an elite setter but I just don't foresee them stringing together enough wins. Their pins would have to be playing a lot better IMO and this is based off of VNL as well not just what I saw today. They're obviously still dangerous though.
For Italy, they looked pretty solid but they seem beatable. I see Bronze or 4th place as their ceiling and even then I think it's a stretch. I wouldn't be surprised to see them utilize subs at OH and MB, but I like Michieletto as the starter. He just offers a unique skill set and has good reach/high contact but perhaps whoever passes better between him and Lavia will start. Passing looked meh (honestly wasn't that bad looking at the stats tho lol), and Zaytsev was terrible at the service line. I'm sure they'll get it together but I think Brazil, Russia, France, USA, and Poland look better at this point. I'm still intrigued about the Lanza omission as well...
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Post by Disc808 on Jul 11, 2021 13:20:00 GMT -5
I couldn't find a stream but looks like Italy swept Argentina (25-18, 25-18, 25-19) in their second friendly match. Here's the article and here's the stats. Looks like Juantorena and Zaytsev didn't play, and neither did Conte or Loser. Seems like Italy's offense was great and they won the serve/pass battle. I wonder who will start at the second OH spot for Italy between Michieletto and Lavia. I wouldn't be surprised if both of them saw some quality minutes at the Olympics, one as the starter and the other as a strategic sub. It would make sense if Italy prioritizes passing in that second OH spot but who knows.
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Post by Disc808 on Jul 15, 2021 17:56:15 GMT -5
http://instagr.am/p/CRWpmzzldtt Lanza reacts to being omitted from the Olympic lineup. Seems like this means he's retiring from the national team. Interesting quote (I used google translate): "I am proud of the person I have become thanks to sport but equally embittered by the choices made that do not always happen out of meritocracy."
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Post by alohavball on Jul 16, 2021 23:35:34 GMT -5
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Post by Disc808 on Jul 17, 2021 13:44:17 GMT -5
One thing I was wondering is which teams benefited from having the Olympics pushed back a year. I think maybe Russia... Yakovlev's decision making looks better and I know he got injured but if he's at 100% (like I think he is based off articles/social media and him making the roster) then he will be a monster in the middle. Plus their core players still look lethal (passing is their limiting factor though). Pankov's improved precision and decision making also gives them options.
I also think Japan benefited from it. It was unfortunate that Nishida got injured, but he seems back at 100% and he also mentioned how he learned from the sidelines as well. Takahashi was a big addition IMO. As much as I enjoyed watching Fukuzawa or Yanagida, Takahashi is very skilled in many facets of the game. He will have a huge role under pressure, but having the extra year of training + actually getting international experience gave him the boost to make the Olympic roster and also give Japan a better chance. I know Takahashi hasn't proven himself at the international level quite yet, but during VNL he hit above .300, passed/defended well, and his serve is solid too.
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Post by Disc808 on Jul 19, 2021 7:54:11 GMT -5
http://instagram.com/p/CRfWJYXsyGd Looks like the scrimmage vs Japan already happened. I tried to find more info, and all I found was a Japanese article that didn't say much about it and a few short clips that didn't really show much. Japan and USA will enter the Olympic village. Good luck to both teams!
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Post by basil on Jul 19, 2021 10:37:54 GMT -5
Per Erik's tiktok, the USA won 3-1, but that's all we hear about it.
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Post by Disc808 on Jul 19, 2021 13:45:24 GMT -5
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Post by volleycoachiq on Jul 19, 2021 15:54:00 GMT -5
http://instagr.am/p/CRfWJYXsyGd Looks like the scrimmage vs Japan already happened. I tried to find more info, and all I found was a Japanese article that didn't say much about it and a few short clips that didn't really show much. Japan and USA will enter the Olympic village. Good luck to both teams! So what's up with Kawika in an arm sling? Have I missed something?
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Post by Disc808 on Jul 19, 2021 16:03:54 GMT -5
http://instagr.am/p/CRfWJYXsyGd Looks like the scrimmage vs Japan already happened. I tried to find more info, and all I found was a Japanese article that didn't say much about it and a few short clips that didn't really show much. Japan and USA will enter the Olympic village. Good luck to both teams! So what's up with Kawika in an arm sling? Have I missed something? I think that’s just a black bag, but I’m not entirely sure.
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Post by ToddyJ on Jul 19, 2021 16:06:38 GMT -5
So what's up with Kawika in an arm sling? Have I missed something? I think that’s just a black bag, but I’m not entirely sure. Yep. That's what it is. You can see his arms are behind his back. Crisis averted.
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Post by Disc808 on Jul 19, 2021 17:35:44 GMT -5
Anybody have any predictions/thoughts/hot takes before the Olympics start? Here's my pool play predictions and thoughts. Top 4 in Pool A: Poland, Italy, Canada, Japan For Pool A, I pick Japan over Iran because I am a Japan stan and I'm manifesting their serving being fire and the block/defense being good enough to give their pins a chance to pop off. If I'm being realistic though, I think Iran is better top to bottom and although they are streaky I think there's a greater chance Iran makes it out of pool play. However, these are my ~probably wrong~ predictions and I'm sticking with my Japan pick . Canada matches up well against Japan and I think they execute well enough to be better than Iran. For Italy, I actually think Canada as their first match is a bit of a trap and they'll need to get in rhythm fast. I said that bronze was their ceiling but I wouldn't be surprised to see Italy exceed that IF the oldies are producing extremely well and Michieletto is playing at a high level. For Poland, I think they'll make it out comfortably (maybe they'll drop a match). I will say, I'm not convinced that the benefits of Kubiak's intangibles are worth the difference in production between him and the other OHs. I like Semeniuk as the starter, but it's an interesting debate. Top 4 in Pool B: Brazil, USA, Russia, France For Pool B, Brazil is Brazil. I think they are more comfortable compared to the other teams. I think USA will perform better than VNL indicated and they will make it out at either 2 or 3. Russia is scarier with Yakovlev back into the picture. While I do think Russia's passing can be sus at times, they have the potential to be scary scary good and maybe even take the pool over Brazil. I see France as the #4, but the top 4 is a tossup anyways. On paper, their offensive weapons are not as good as the other teams. Plus, can they handle the heat? Ngapeth and whoever the second OH is need to step it up big time and if they do then they'll be in a lot better position. Side note - the Rossard omission is quite baffling. Finally, Argentina's pins are not currently playing at a high enough level to surprise and make it into the top 4. Maybe they get hot, but I'm not exactly betting on it.
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Post by basil on Jul 19, 2021 19:25:21 GMT -5
Anybody have any predictions/thoughts/hot takes before the Olympics start? Here's my pool play predictions and thoughts. Top 4 in Pool A: Poland, Italy, Canada, Japan For Pool A, I pick Japan over Iran because I am a Japan stan and I'm manifesting their serving being fire and the block/defense being good enough to give their pins a chance to pop off. If I'm being realistic though, I think Iran is better top to bottom and although they are streaky I think there's a greater chance Iran makes it out of pool play. However, these are my ~probably wrong~ predictions and I'm sticking with my Japan pick . Canada matches up well against Japan and I think they execute well enough to be better than Iran. For Italy, I actually think Canada as their first match is a bit of a trap and they'll need to get in rhythm fast. I said that bronze was their ceiling but I wouldn't be surprised to see Italy exceed that IF the oldies are producing extremely well and Michieletto is playing at a high level. For Poland, I think they'll make it out comfortably (maybe they'll drop a match). I will say, I'm not convinced that the benefits of Kubiak's intangibles are worth the difference in production between him and the other OHs. I like Semeniuk as the starter, but it's an interesting debate. Top 4 in Pool B: Brazil, USA, Russia, France For Pool B, Brazil is Brazil. I think they are more comfortable compared to the other teams. I think USA will perform better than VNL indicated and they will make it out at either 2 or 3. Russia is scarier with Yakovlev back into the picture. While I do think Russia's passing can be sus at times, they have the potential to be scary scary good and maybe even take the pool over Brazil. I see France as the #4, but the top 4 is a tossup anyways. On paper, their offensive weapons are not as good as the other teams. Plus, can they handle the heat? Ngapeth and whoever the second OH is need to step it up big time and if they do then they'll be in a lot better position. Side note - the Rossard omission is quite baffling. Finally, Argentina's pins are not currently playing at a high enough level to surprise and make it into the top 4. Maybe they get hot, but I'm not exactly betting on it. Pool A, I pretty much agree. With TJ setting, I think Canada should be the third best team in that group, but Japan at their best with Ishikawa, Takahashi, and Nishida all firing is a very scary thought. It'll be a pretty tough battle between Canada, Japan, and Iran. Pool B...I honestly don't know. Argentina is a serious wild card too; they've shown they can hang with and beat the top teams. I think at our best, we finish behind Brazil and it's a toss-up for second and third between us and Russia. This pool is actually insane, and I wouldn't be insanely surprised if we finish fourth either. I'd much prefer second over third...likely getting Italy in the QFs would not be fun.
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Post by Disc808 on Jul 19, 2021 19:51:27 GMT -5
Anybody have any predictions/thoughts/hot takes before the Olympics start? Here's my pool play predictions and thoughts. Top 4 in Pool A: Poland, Italy, Canada, Japan For Pool A, I pick Japan over Iran because I am a Japan stan and I'm manifesting their serving being fire and the block/defense being good enough to give their pins a chance to pop off. If I'm being realistic though, I think Iran is better top to bottom and although they are streaky I think there's a greater chance Iran makes it out of pool play. However, these are my ~probably wrong~ predictions and I'm sticking with my Japan pick . Canada matches up well against Japan and I think they execute well enough to be better than Iran. For Italy, I actually think Canada as their first match is a bit of a trap and they'll need to get in rhythm fast. I said that bronze was their ceiling but I wouldn't be surprised to see Italy exceed that IF the oldies are producing extremely well and Michieletto is playing at a high level. For Poland, I think they'll make it out comfortably (maybe they'll drop a match). I will say, I'm not convinced that the benefits of Kubiak's intangibles are worth the difference in production between him and the other OHs. I like Semeniuk as the starter, but it's an interesting debate. Top 4 in Pool B: Brazil, USA, Russia, France For Pool B, Brazil is Brazil. I think they are more comfortable compared to the other teams. I think USA will perform better than VNL indicated and they will make it out at either 2 or 3. Russia is scarier with Yakovlev back into the picture. While I do think Russia's passing can be sus at times, they have the potential to be scary scary good and maybe even take the pool over Brazil. I see France as the #4, but the top 4 is a tossup anyways. On paper, their offensive weapons are not as good as the other teams. Plus, can they handle the heat? Ngapeth and whoever the second OH is need to step it up big time and if they do then they'll be in a lot better position. Side note - the Rossard omission is quite baffling. Finally, Argentina's pins are not currently playing at a high enough level to surprise and make it into the top 4. Maybe they get hot, but I'm not exactly betting on it. Pool A, I pretty much agree. With TJ setting, I think Canada should be the third best team in that group, but Japan at their best with Ishikawa, Takahashi, and Nishida all firing is a very scary thought. It'll be a pretty tough battle between Canada, Japan, and Iran. Pool B...I honestly don't know. Argentina is a serious wild card too; they've shown they can hang with and beat the top teams. I think at our best, we finish behind Brazil and it's a toss-up for second and third between us and Russia. This pool is actually insane, and I wouldn't be insanely surprised if we finish fourth either. I'd much prefer second over third...likely getting Italy in the QFs would not be fun. Iran is also such a wild card. Their VNL was kinda oof not gonna lie, but they've got the pieces and Marouf is elite. Poland is their first match... do they get emotionally fired up and then fall flat in the subsequent matches? Can they play up to their potential? Who knows, but Iran certainly has the talent + the coaching. Japan is on the outside looking in (at least on paper), but Nishida is a top 10 server in the world IMO and as you stated they've got some potential dynamite on the pins. It's the middles/lack of block touches that's holding them back tbh. They'd need a near flawless serving plan and execution to advance. And yeah.... Pool B is just so crazy. It's going to be so hard to keep up with all the insane matchups. I agree with your USA assessment, I could see them finishing anywhere from 2-4. And yeah, if Michieletto catches fire.... it'd be best to avoid that.
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Post by archiepelago on Jul 19, 2021 22:51:32 GMT -5
Anybody have any predictions/thoughts/hot takes before the Olympics start? Here's my pool play predictions and thoughts. Top 4 in Pool A: Poland, Italy, Canada, Japan For Pool A, I pick Japan over Iran because I am a Japan stan and I'm manifesting their serving being fire and the block/defense being good enough to give their pins a chance to pop off. If I'm being realistic though, I think Iran is better top to bottom and although they are streaky I think there's a greater chance Iran makes it out of pool play. However, these are my ~probably wrong~ predictions and I'm sticking with my Japan pick . Canada matches up well against Japan and I think they execute well enough to be better than Iran. For Italy, I actually think Canada as their first match is a bit of a trap and they'll need to get in rhythm fast. I said that bronze was their ceiling but I wouldn't be surprised to see Italy exceed that IF the oldies are producing extremely well and Michieletto is playing at a high level. For Poland, I think they'll make it out comfortably (maybe they'll drop a match). I will say, I'm not convinced that the benefits of Kubiak's intangibles are worth the difference in production between him and the other OHs. I like Semeniuk as the starter, but it's an interesting debate. Top 4 in Pool B: Brazil, USA, Russia, France For Pool B, Brazil is Brazil. I think they are more comfortable compared to the other teams. I think USA will perform better than VNL indicated and they will make it out at either 2 or 3. Russia is scarier with Yakovlev back into the picture. While I do think Russia's passing can be sus at times, they have the potential to be scary scary good and maybe even take the pool over Brazil. I see France as the #4, but the top 4 is a tossup anyways. On paper, their offensive weapons are not as good as the other teams. Plus, can they handle the heat? Ngapeth and whoever the second OH is need to step it up big time and if they do then they'll be in a lot better position. Side note - the Rossard omission is quite baffling. Finally, Argentina's pins are not currently playing at a high enough level to surprise and make it into the top 4. Maybe they get hot, but I'm not exactly betting on it. I think in the womens, the USA team can be 1st or 2nd but in the men's, I think 4th would be their best. Brazil, France and Russia are in the zone.
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