copravolley

Tomorrow last chance for medal to Ukraine? Mahuchikh? Levchenko with no chance?

Overall, I think this is probably the worst level since the early 21st century – I don't remember it being this bad. We have only one top-class team- Poland and basically nothing. Brazil used to be the best, but there were still strong others teams: Russia, Italy, USA, Yugoslavia, etc. Now, Poland basically has no one to lose to. I don't think even Brazil 20 years ago was as safe as Poland is now. Some things about Brazil: I believe Rezende must go away, but even he's no magician. The scale of this sport's decline in Brazil over the past 10 years has been demonstrated by the successive junior age groups. I understand that juniors are just juniors, but losses to Kazakhstan, Finland, Korea, Indonesia and similar level rivals are simply shameful for a country with such a tradition as Brazil. Clearly, something is wrong with the system and it's not just a problem with Rezende, or Ze Roberto in the women's. That's why I'm confident about France- they have talented young players and they will became strong, even if they fall today. The same is for Italy and Poland. However, in Brazil, the problem seems to do systemic changes, not only whether Rezende has to leave and be replaced by some X or Y.

W can beat Argentina and Belgium/Fin but we must play for our solid level, just like in summer VNL. With Brazil and France out, probably only Poland is out of our reach, but we must to play better than in the group.

For us there isn`t worse rival than France and Poland, so it's OK But playing like we did even today, we won't be the favorites. As of today here, anyone can beat anyone , except maybe for Poland, who are pretty sure to win gold.

I would like to see Italy vs. Argentina in the Round of 16, but I'm afraid France is too strong: on paper, only Poland has a better squad than them. Ngapeth is weaker than he used to be, but he can always play one good match.

It's clear that Poland won't be beaten until 2028 as long as Leon is there. The only team that can realistically compete with Poland, was France in 2024, but it's already clear that Ngapeth is much weaker than he was then. It's a shame Italy can't naturalize someone concrete and strong to the OP, instead of joking around with Rychlicki, or something similar, who is on par with the weak Romano... At least Poland, when it does naturalize someone, it's a top-class player.

There is a 99% chance that the Czech Republic will not win 3-0 against China.

Ok. De Gennaro is 38 and still play...

In general, how would you compare Venezuela just before Chavez's time to the current situation? I ask because things weren't looking good economically in the second half of the 1990s either. There is little material about Venezuela before Chavez on internet.

Maduro is a crazy man, so nothing would surprise me, but it would probably mean his certain downfall and death.

I don`t see points table, as in previous editions.

What`s about Guyana? It`s look like at very small country. Are there any popular sports there? A few months ago I read that Venezuela wanted to invade this small country, it`s true?

He is young, so nothing say nothing. I think that for a probably new coach in Ukraine, he should became in NT. Egonu also resigned for some months with NT Italy, becouse of our former coach- Davide Mazzanti.

Both teams are weakened: you are missing Plotnicki and we are missing Lavia. This will likely be an ugly matchup between two teams in very poor form.

I never haven't been in Kharkiv, but my father used to go there as a tourist in the USSR times - I think there was a World War II museum?

I'm fear of this match, because failing to advance from the group stage will be Italy's worst result since 1974. And in the VNL was tough, only 3-2 for us. Italian team is out of form and I think this is the end of de Giorgi's coaching career. France's prospects for the Round of 16 also look very bad, but after the women's gold medal, I'm more relaxed. I think we need to change our coaching staff and start from begining in a new year.

Vovchansk it`s a near Russian border on north of country? Non Donbas?

I still have the impression that Bulgaria with Matej could have won more than a few bronze medals at the World/European Championships.

Volleyball match: Bulgaria- Poland in 1/2 on 2006 World Champ you watched live? It was in Japan, so i think early morning in Europe. The Internet already existed in that time, but it was too slow to watch sports live.

I often recorded ski jumping and cross-country skiing in the early of 21st century.

You can do several things at once, especially in the time of the internet Because of course, back then you had to record on VHS and it was a more complicated operation.

Here's an example of a great champion with a killer mentality: a some moments earlier: European champion- Andrew Howe of Italy had jumped his personal best: 8.47, taking the lead by a just 1 centimeter in the 6 round in World Championship- Osaka 2007. What did Saladino do? He responded immediately: 8.57 and a guaranteed gold medal. Even in top form and with the best talent, he wouldn't have been able to do this without a strong character and killer mental. A person like Iapichino, even in top form, would have melted away in a similar situation like April snow on a sunny day

Done There are clear differences between Furlani (20 years old) and Iapichino (23 years old). This is what I meant, when I wrote about athletes with the mentality of great champions at major events and those, who usually fail there but shine in various Diamond Leagues and similar commercial meetings.

8.47 Howe in 2007, but I hope that just a coupe of month.

8.47 - but later Saladino responded like a great champion in his final attempt and won gold. I hope it's only a matter of time, that Mattia Furlani breaks that old Italian record from 2007 and jump over 8.50.