copravolley

0-3. I think, that record from 1998r., isn`t be safe

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/1998_FIFA_World_Cup_Group_D But these were the finals at least :P Those were still times when Spain played like never before, but lost like always

When I was younger, I thought good looking were the only thing that mattered, but over past time, I've come to realize that intelligence and a sense of humor are also very important. Money is definitely important too, but more in terms of stability in future life, but only up to a certain point. Unless, of course, you're a WAG girl hunting down famous footballers :P

Sure

Uff, we will not play against France in 1/8 Only possible options for now are: Slovenia or Israel: It depends of Spain- Greece match results.

In men`s it was a much more difficult and there is probably not enough time to do that. After 2006 and the Turin Olympic, unfortunately, there was no qualitative change, whether for women or men.

I wonder what matters most to a girl like that when choosing a partner? Good looking, a lot of money, great fame? Or maybe all three at once :P

For me the level of play at this World Championships is very poor. It probably wasn't a good idea to change the date from every fourth year to every two year cycle. The USA has been out of form from the start of season, China with some juniors in their squad, Serbia with or without Boskovic, but they've already had a very weak second season for a row. Japan is capitalizing on what they have, namely their opponents' weaknesses. Italy, Turkey, and possibly Brazil are the only top teams that have taken this season seriously from the start. They all have stable rosters from previous years, barring some minor injuries like Pietrini, Degradi, or Ana Cristina. From what I'm seeing here, any lack of gold for Italy will be a failure in my opinion. It's clear that Velasco has taken the matter very seriously, and all of the team are fully mobilized to win the one missing gold medal for Monica de Gennaro, who is retiring from the Italian National Team after this season. However, our situation is far from ideal before the 1/2 finals: we need to beat a strong Brazil, playing as the second semifinalist in saturday and then probably Turkey with Santarelli in the final (I don`t belive for Japan chance), who were the only team to send their best possible lineup and have almost no injuries. Italy must show strength, consistency, and top form; then they'll win their last two matches, and it won't matter whether their semifinal is played earlier or later. We can only lose to ourselves, because Brazil without Ana Cristina is a lower level, and even the best Turkey with Vargas was never a top-tier team level, like the USA, Brazil, or Serbia some years ago. All we can do is wait for the weekend, play our best games of this year (sespite the series of victories, I think we haven't played a really good match this year yet) and can completed cycle of our domination, that has been going on since Velasco's arrival at the beginning of 2024 on Italian bench (Olympic gold, World gold and 2- golds on VNL: 2024/2025).

:P I don`t know her... This is old foto?

So, if Spain can`t beat Greece on the evening, Spain will go out after group phaseIt will be the worst results of Spain in Eurobasket than 1957!!! (missed of qualify then). In 1959 they was 15 (now, if they will eliminate today, they will be outside od best 16). In all XXI century the worst resukts od Spain was 4th place in 2005. Last one, that Spain was outside the top 4, that was in 1997! History is happening before our eyes, or will Spain be able to defeat the strong Greece today and advance to next stage?

But volleyball not looking good even before 2012. Just like handball or waterpolo- in that last sport UK was a powerhouse at the beginning of the 20th century: 4 gold for a row from 1900 to 1920, but of course it was a completely different sport then than it is now. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Britain_men's_national_water_polo_team

Before London 2012, the UK had a pretty good team; for example, in 2011 they finished higher than Italy at Eurobasket.

Bosnia currently leads with Georgia. If they win, Spain will have to beat Greece today or they won't advance from the group stage.

Under Taliban regime? However, they could start by allowing women to be educated and to practice various sports: even Iran is moving in this direction, not to mention Pakistan, etc.

Afghanistan was called "the Switzerland of Asia "in the 1960s and 1970s (a relatively peaceful and tolerant country, where women in Kabul could wear miniskirts, etc.). Everything changed when the USSR and the USA began to interfere there (the Taliban were formed thanks to USA funding in response to the Soviet invasion – they originated from the more radical Mukhachedin group). But of course, Afghanistan in the 1960s and 1970s was divided into Kabul – a progressive city – and provinces, where strict and conservative laws and principles prevailed. For sure without the attack by the USSR and later the USA, this country would certainly have had a better future, although its location was rather unfortunate: a meeting point of many interest groups and influences: the USSR, China, then the USA and previously the UK).

Father of Haak sisters was a French (he he died when they were young) but they prefer Sweden than France, even though they could win much more against France, especially now.

I hope we will play even better against Brazil than we did against Poland and there won't be the same drama that happened in the 1/2 of 2022 World Champ., when Mazzanti's team fell during that game and never recovered and he must had to leave in 2023. Brazil is playing solidly, but nothing more. We, on the other hand, are a much stronger team than we were three years ago. Let's hope Velasco can once again prepare peak of form his team for the crucial matches of the season.

Unfortunately, Italian amateur boxing is in slowly died. The new coaching staff (including Giovanni de Carolis and Clemente Russo) has led to the removal of three of the biggest stars from the Italian national team: Irma Testa, Angela Carini and Abbes Mouhiidine, who will likely not return on the future. We can't afford the luxury of getting rid of such good boxers – in my opinion, these is a personal conflict, but it reflects poorly on the new coaching staff that they can't reach an agreement with the top fighters. The rest of the team is simply weak and aside from Lenzi, no one has a chance to win a medal. What's more, we haven't filled several women's Olympic category. I don't know what will happen next but I don't understand why such an experienced staff – composed of outstanding boxers from the past – does something so stupid. With this current team, we might only qualify for two or three people at 2028 Olympics. Shameful.

I didn't know Cesar la Cruz would still be fighting as an amateur? He was in very poor form in 2024. Just out of curiosity, if Abbes Mouhiidine had competed here in the up to 90 kg category, where would he have been in your ranking?

Do you know the lineups for these friendlies and was this Slovakia's first squad? The results shock me, but we also minimal lost some days ago to Japan twice Maybe the naturalizations are starting to work? Becouse I see few new names from the USA and Canada in our lineup. https://italia.hockey/calendar/?level=750

Sabalenka can finally win Slam this year? 4 SF (2 lost finals + 1 SF+ now?).

It would be brutal for us if, after beating Spain, we immediately faced France in the Round of 16, not for Poland or Israel... I hope it doesn't come to that (at least give us Slovenia with Doncic, who are strong, but can be played on an equal level with them, but not France, c`mon). We have probably thes best team since 2015, but we could have our worst result since 2011 (outside best 8 teams).

If Italy finishes second, they could face Slovenia and then Germany – probably the best team here at the moment. Unfortunately, it's a very difficult road to medal As of today, no one here will come close to Germany- they probably win gold easy. For my Italy could win against Turkey but against Germany we have 0 chance. Unfortunettly.

They was a similar level to Italian team in bookies adds before Eurobasket. Serbia look likes much stronger than Turkey.

Why are Turkiye so strong here? They haven't been ranked highly lately. What do you think of this team?