2024 FIVB Volleyball Nations League

[trojansc]

Does anyone remember this match?

www.fivb.org/vis_web/volley/WWC2015/WWC2015_p2-065.pdf

Serbia nearly blew its Olympic Qualification (they still would have had another chance, but, this would have been one of the most epic upsets ever). It's never over till its over

[sleepy]

Jun 15, 2024 0:01:21 GMT -5 newbeach said:

Congratulations to the Netherlands. They deserved the head-to-head win against Canada yesterday. Canada was not up to to the task and showed signs of fatigue from the start of the match and didn't exhibit their usual energy.

The most disappointing aspect is the qualification system. Canada's performance against Serbia was underwhelming. It was their third match, while it was only Serbia's second. Canada's lack of depth is a significant factor, but the scheduling didn't help. Additionally, it's disheartening that Serbia fielded a less formidable team against the Dutch in the third week. The absence of Brayelin Martinez from the Dominican Republic's lineup in their match against the Dutch was also a letdown. Moreover, it seems the Dutch received some fortunate breaks that Canada did not, and the scheduling appeared to be more favorable for the Dutch. Canada, in many respects, outperformed the Dutch in the tournament. They had to make up nearly twenty ranking points at the outset and managed to narrow the gap significantly. Nevertheless, I can't help but think that with a fairer qualification tournament, Canada would have been on their way to the Olympics. I guess we will never know.

The saddest thing for me is that Canada really worked so hard and played some big matches to beat China and Japan. Netherlands beat no one special and they lucked out with what week they got Serbia. They just happened to win the most important match for them. They never needed to overperform, they just needed to not !!!!###$$$!!! up, and beat Canada once lol. 

[sleepy]

Anyways, now that Canada swept France, I need every korean player to summon their inner KYK and sweep the Netherlands! It would be funny if both Canadian teams got in because of a performance of another national team. (Thank you Bulgaria)

[newbeach]

An interesting aspect is that Canada faced host Brazil in Week 1, host USA in Week 2, and host Japan in Week 3. Meanwhile, the Netherlands competed against host China in China. While this may not be a clear disadvantage, but it seems as if it was a more favorable situation for the Netherlands as well.

Some may argue that I'm making excuses for Canada. However, I genuinely appreciate the Netherlands team, and it's unfortunate that both teams couldn't secure a place in the Olympics. At the very least, I would hope there was a system in place that would offer a fairer opportunity for all teams. I don't know what that looks like.

[newbeach]

Jun 15, 2024 0:15:54 GMT -5 sleepy said:

Jun 15, 2024 0:01:21 GMT -5 newbeach said:

Congratulations to the Netherlands. They deserved the head-to-head win against Canada yesterday. Canada was not up to to the task and showed signs of fatigue from the start of the match and didn't exhibit their usual energy.

The most disappointing aspect is the qualification system. Canada's performance against Serbia was underwhelming. It was their third match, while it was only Serbia's second. Canada's lack of depth is a significant factor, but the scheduling didn't help. Additionally, it's disheartening that Serbia fielded a less formidable team against the Dutch in the third week. The absence of Brayelin Martinez from the Dominican Republic's lineup in their match against the Dutch was also a letdown. Moreover, it seems the Dutch received some fortunate breaks that Canada did not, and the scheduling appeared to be more favorable for the Dutch. Canada, in many respects, outperformed the Dutch in the tournament. They had to make up nearly twenty ranking points at the outset and managed to narrow the gap significantly. Nevertheless, I can't help but think that with a fairer qualification tournament, Canada would have been on their way to the Olympics. I guess we will never know.

The saddest thing for me is that Canada really worked so hard and played some big matches to beat China and Japan. Netherlands beat no one special and they lucked out with what week they got Serbia. They just happened to win the most important match for them. They never needed to overperform, they just needed to not !!!!###$$$!!! up, and beat Canada once lol. 

It's likely that the Canadian players experienced greater pressure during the tournament.

[DiggUH]

Jun 14, 2024 23:59:52 GMT -5 trojansc said:

Regardless of Olympic Qualification, Canada can still make the VNL Finals. They'll need 2 USA losses (ITA+JPN), plus Korea taking two sets off Netherlands.

Not really a great shot either, but, two sets is a easier ask than a KOR sweep.

Did you mean "OR Korea taking two sets off Netherlands?"

[trojansc]

Jun 15, 2024 0:41:09 GMT -5 DiggUH said:

Jun 14, 2024 23:59:52 GMT -5 trojansc said:

Regardless of Olympic Qualification, Canada can still make the VNL Finals. They'll need 2 USA losses (ITA+JPN), plus Korea taking two sets off Netherlands.

Not really a great shot either, but, two sets is a easier ask than a KOR sweep.

Did you mean "OR Korea taking two sets off Netherlands?"

No. They need both to happen. Any USA win eliminates Canada from VNL finals, and a NED 3-1 or 3-0 win also eliminates Canada from VNL Final Contention.

[newbeach]

Against common opponents:

Canada swept Germany 3-0, the Netherlands beat Germany 3-1.
Canada beat China 3-1, the Netherlands lost to China 3-1 (in China)
They both lost to Brazil 3-1, (Canada lost to Brazil in Brazil), Brazil beat the Netherlands 3-1
Canada beat DOM 3-0, the Netherlands beat DOM 3-1 (without Brayelin)
Canada lost to the USA 3-1 (in USA), the Netherlands lost to the USA 3-0
Canada beat Korea 3-0 (and after a nice day off the Netherlands will likely beat Korea 3-0)
They both beat France 3-0.

Canada lost to Serbia 3-1, the Netherlands beat Serbia 3-1*

Uncommon opponents:

Canada beat Japan 3-2, Lost to Italy 3-0, Canada beat Thailand 3-1
Netherlands lost to Turkiye 3-1, lost to Poland 3-1, and beat Bulgaria 3-0

Unfortunately, none of that matters. Canada lost to the Netherlands and they are going to the Olympics.

[newbeach]

Jun 15, 2024 0:15:49 GMT -5 trojansc said:

Does anyone remember this match?

www.fivb.org/vis_web/volley/WWC2015/WWC2015_p2-065.pdf

Serbia nearly blew its Olympic Qualification (they still would have had another chance, but, this would have been one of the most epic upsets ever). It's never over till its over

I only started watching volleyball (international) at the 2016 Olympics and the first time I saw Boskovic play. 

[DiggUH]

Jun 15, 2024 0:47:35 GMT -5 trojansc said:

Jun 15, 2024 0:41:09 GMT -5 DiggUH said:

Did you mean "OR Korea taking two sets off Netherlands?"

No. They need both to happen. Any USA win eliminates Canada from VNL finals, and a NED 3-1 or 3-0 win also eliminates Canada from VNL Final Contention.

Yes but two USA losses alone would ensure that Canada makes the finals without the need for Korea also taking two sets from the Netherlands, wouldn't it? Or am I misunderstanding your original statement (which considering my septuagenarian brain is entirely possible)?

[VT Karen]

Sad for the Canadian team. They worked hard and showed off an improved all-around game.

The Dutch took care of business though and did what they needed to do to qualify for the Olympics.

[trojansc]

Jun 15, 2024 1:13:02 GMT -5 DiggUH said:

Jun 15, 2024 0:47:35 GMT -5 trojansc said:

No. They need both to happen. Any USA win eliminates Canada from VNL finals, and a NED 3-1 or 3-0 win also eliminates Canada from VNL Final Contention.

Yes but two USA losses alone would ensure that Canada makes the finals without the need for Korea also taking two sets from the Netherlands, wouldn't it? Or am I misunderstanding your original statement (which considering my septuagenarian brain is entirely possible)?

No. Canada has to be better than BOTH Netherlands and USA to make the Finals. In order to be above USA, they need 2 USA losses. In order to be above Netherlands, they need 2 sets from Korea.

If either USA or Netherlands end up above Canada, Canada is out in the VNL Finals.

[trojansc]

I know it's Bulgaria, but 20-year old Tapia has 25 kills hitting .590 (25-2-39)

[DiggUH]

Jun 15, 2024 1:36:57 GMT -5 trojansc said:

Jun 15, 2024 1:13:02 GMT -5 DiggUH said:

Yes but two USA losses alone would ensure that Canada makes the finals without the need for Korea also taking two sets from the Netherlands, wouldn't it? Or am I misunderstanding your original statement (which considering my septuagenarian brain is entirely possible)?

No. Canada has to be better than BOTH Netherlands and USA to make the Finals. In order to be above USA, they need 2 USA losses. In order to be above Netherlands, they need 2 sets from Korea.

If either USA or Netherlands end up above Canada, Canada is out in the VNL Finals.

Maybe I'm not understanding how the VNL Final works. I thought that the top 8 teams in the standings make it to the Finals. According to the standings I'm looking at, Canada is currently #7, USA is #8, and the Netherlands is #9, so if the USA were to lose both it's final 2 matches, Canada would remain at #7 and the USA would remain below them. If the Netherlands were to move ahead of Canada, it would knock Canada down one spot to #8 and the USA down to #9, so Canada would still make the Final and the USA would be out. Am I missing something here?

[trojansc]

Jun 15, 2024 2:19:18 GMT -5 DiggUH said:

Jun 15, 2024 1:36:57 GMT -5 trojansc said:

No. Canada has to be better than BOTH Netherlands and USA to make the Finals. In order to be above USA, they need 2 USA losses. In order to be above Netherlands, they need 2 sets from Korea.

If either USA or Netherlands end up above Canada, Canada is out in the VNL Finals.

Maybe I'm not understanding how the VNL Final works. I thought that the top 8 teams in the standings make it to the Finals. According to the standings I'm looking at, Canada is currently #7, USA is #8, and the Netherlands is #9, so if the USA were to lose both it's final 2 matches, Canada would remain at #7 and the USA would remain below them. If the Netherlands were to move ahead of Canada, it would knock Canada down one spot to #8 and the USA down to #9, so Canada would still make the Final and the USA would be out. Am I missing something here?

Thailand is automatically qualified as VNL hosts even though they aren't going to be in the Top 8. So really, #7 is the cut-line. #8 is not making it to the VNL Finals.