Noorderling29

Canada can’t afford to underestimate the Czechs. They were very poor against us in the second and third sets, but of course manage to turn that around brilliantly.

True, and it’s still possible for China, NL and Dominican Republic all ending at 4-3, if they exchange the wins, and all lose to Serbia. But Canada is not at 5-2 yet either. They can’t underestimate especially the Checs, who defeated DR.

For instance, Although Canada defeated NL, NL scored a few more points. Same today with China.

In the VNL the Dutch team lost 3-2 to Dominican Republic. They appear to have gotten better since, but that did not lead to victory against Canada. In the EurCh the Dutch team led Serbia by multiple points around the 16 points mark in 3 of the 4 sets, but managed to still lose 2 of them, for a 3-1 loss.

Canada may come to regret that defeat against the Dominican Republic, or NL the defeat against Canada.

Premature…

My point is that, in the context of possible Olympic qualification, it could be in the interest of either Scottish or English players to achieve a certain result in the matches between those two countries to keep their chances of participation in TeamGB in Paris alive. I see they meet at the last match day, with potentially everything still to play for. I hope and expect nothing untoward happens, but there is the potential for serious questions.

Belgium are currently more than 80 points behind both NL and DR. I can’t really see how they can make up that many points, let alone that both GER and CAN would also stand a chance if and when NL and DR would stumble dramatically enough.

Regular 3 - 0 victory for the Dutch team. Marring returns after her injury at the EurCh, plays the whole match and is topscorer.

England and Scotland is the same group, while Olympic qualification is at stake, is a bit strange.

NL plays against Mexico with a team mostly consisting of the reserves

With two defeats, without having played any of the three top teams yet, this should mean the end of any hope. To be fair, the Belgian team did not expect to qualify here, but hoped to gain a lot of points. With losses against PR and Argentinia, this target will also be missed. Hard to see them qualifying through the ranking.

Belgium will miss both Derwael and Vaelen for certain, and I think I’ve read somewhere they have a further uncertainty. There’s seems to a an assumption in at least part of the Belgian press that they won’t be able to take the team quota. I’ve seen at least one article speculating how Derwael could qualify.

Was a surprised to see the Dutch flag after Ceric’s name.

Given the amount of pessimism on this thread, I would not be surprised if in the end no team qualifies from this tournament

Money talks

A bit premature? Poland leading in the 3rd set, 1 - 1 in sets.

For European teams, it’s better than it was. Under the old system, a team could be around 8th on the ranking, but have no chance of qualifying, because there were stronger European teams. Under the new system that regional block is removed, so the strongest teams will participate in Paris, while at the same time assuring all continents are represented.

Not necessarily, the one point against Canada could theoretically be decisive. If for instance China wins all its matches 3-0 or 3-1, and the Dutch team wins all matches beside the China one with the same numbers, the Dutch team would finish in front of Serbia by at least that one point, whatever the remaining Serbian results. Unlikely scenario, but mathematically possible.

Minor teams are eliminating each other. As they say, yesterday’s winners are today’s losers and vice versa. I think a lot can happen between now and June. A few bad losses to lower placed teams (like Dominican Republic against the Chechs) and you lose many points. Unless one of the minor teams (Germany f.I.) qualify, 10th place should be enough. NL and DR are currently 9th and 10th and have a significant cushion over Canada, of over 30 points. But yesterday has shown we are quite capable of losing the advantage over Canada.

I left the house at 10 - 13 in the 5th, and saw at my phone that the set ended at 13-15. Was not aware that the team came back, just to give it away again.

So incredibly predictable

Not this time, I fear

Game is far from over

The Canadian coach’s master plan seems to be to attack Plak (our number 4). It hasn’t really worked so far.