LDOG

1 hour ago, intoronto said:

Imagine thinking field hockey is entertaining and ice isn't 

Both are boring for opposite reasons: ice is way too chaotic, field way too rigurous about contact. In both it's hard to tell what's going on when they are close to the goal.

12 minutes ago, phelps said:

 

Boxing and Modern Pentathlon being axed (Weightlifting will be saved, I'm more than sure about that...and could even regain a bit of quota places and a couple of weight classes after being almost cancelled in Paris) would likely open the space to increase the number of quota places in those combat sports that are currently heavily penalized in terms of participation (namely, Fencing -going from the current 8 teams, 36 individuals to 12 teams, 48 individuals per event and above all, Taekwondo -increasing to 5 if not 6 weight classes)

there's also a small chance that Karate would comeback into the Olympic program, but it's still a long road

All of this would be convenient for Italy, what a coincidence.  Boxing will never leave. Look at the insane effort IOC is willing to make these days to kept it.

Boxing fans are a bit like men's football fans, they watch anything you throw at them. Even low level or rigged competitions like the olympic ones.

4 minutes ago, phelps said:

where are they held?

Sao Paulo 

Eurohockey div II semifinals:

 3(3)-3(4) 

 4-1

This means Ireland and Ukraine qualify to OQTs.

8 minutes ago, Rafa Maciel said:

Definitely not mine - they are from Gracenote Nielsen. They release a virtual medal table for every Olympic and with it being a year until Paris, this is their initial projections. Normally they will release a new version each month in the run up to the games. 

Can't you just post a link to it then? I mean, isn't making a post per country too much work?

Are those your own predictions or what? 

These projections are always inflated for the big european nations. 

Italy looked very beatable out there. Wouldn't be surprised if South Africa pulls it off.

5 minutes ago, Josh said:

Personally, I would've given the MVP to Sliwka, but Zatorski played exceptionally as well, could've seen it go to either one of them. 

He was like the 3rd best libero of these finals, MVP is a complete joke.

Federico Bruno (ARG, 1500/5000m runner) positive for EPO. 

2 hours ago, thepharoah said:

 

Africa 2026 WC qualifiers draw , 1st team of each group qualifies to WC 

Quick analysis: 

 Will make it with little to no trouble.  

 has a tough group but they are step above in quality of almost everyone so they'll make it too.  

 is superior to  or  bit you can never be 100% sure with them.  

Group A is  vs  with 60/40 chances respectively I'd say.   

Group I is  vs  with 45/55 chances respectively. Mali was very unlucky.

 is favorite but they should watch out for both  and  in my opinion. I think this group could see an upset. 

 favorite but VERY tricky opponents like ,  and  are there. 

Tunis always in the easiest group.

54 minutes ago, Josh said:

Don't know why the IOC chose for Africa to get two teams at Paris 2024, considering they're one of the weakest continents in women's football. Would much rather see another team from Europe qualify. 

I'm pretty sure it's FIFA who decide how the quotas are distributed. 

And it's no surprise they want it this way, they intentionally sabotage this competition to strengthen their world cup. I predict by 2036 it'll be U23 restricted just like the men. They are waiting for women's football to become truly profitable and then they will cut the cord.

On 7/6/2023 at 1:20 PM, intoronto said:

The PAHF competitions committee will decide the 8th team in the men's field hockey competition. 

 

My guess is they use the WR to determine the 8th spot, which would be  and would also mean the region's top 8 teams qualified.

Nope,  will go, who knows why.  

2 hours ago, Vektor said:

Here's how it should look after the Worlds:

 

@heywoodu

 

And that track is to be used for competition too? How are the people below going to watch anything up there?

9 hours ago, Vektor said:

Well, it will be a 15k stadium after the WCh, the white seats in the upper level will be gone and that level will be turned into a 800m running course and shops.  

 Ok, explain that in more detail because prima facie it makes no sense.

5 minutes ago, CCB said:

 I couldn't have been more wrong. 3-0 for Germany, for me a surprising win.

It's not surprising to me, Cuba is a complete disaster in reception and setting. Any average team like Germany can beat them just by playing tidy.  

I see Cuba like Bulgaria, they have these big talents in attack but there's nothing they can do with them because they barely get good balls to attack in first place. 

Germany lost to Zambia in a friendly 

First time ever Cuba doesn't win gold in men's hockey. They will also fail to qualify to Pan Ams if Barbados wins. 

Iran, Algeria and co. watching Israel rise in football and qualifying to stuff: 

lol I love DR, such a wild card team.  A bit like Iran or Argentina in the men's.   

Why do you care so much about the world ranking now? Don't we still have continentals, olympic qualifiers and a whole other VNL to play before the cut is done? It's like 20 more matches for every team.

4 minutes ago, Benolympique said:

Favorites for 3 quotas ?

Spain for sure then it's uncertain. Everyone else has almost equal chance.