CCB

Well, no surprise with this bad weather. So this awful week for Dutch sports continues. No Olympic quota for us, because they won't run another race. Not qualified, however they run the exact same time as TTO, but on a later moment. Still very confused about that rule.

I'm still wondering why The Netherlands participated in the Nations Cup. Very stupid Dutch rules. And this decision comes at the same time Thorsdottir (gymnastics) broke her foot and Kimmann (bmx) was diagnosed with a heart disease. Not a good day at all for Dutch sport.

No second Dutch team in Paris. NOC*NSF rejected the quota ...

Not yet. No news from Dutch volleyball associaton and NOC*NSF. They are - apparently - still thinking about it.

NOC*NSF sets a precedent if they allow one of these pairs to go. I don't think they want to do that, they didn't make exceptions in the past. Ofcourse I hope they will send Piersma/Bekhuis eventually; both players are still young and have an exceptional service.

Now it's final. won both matches against and wins the Olympic quota. However, both don't meet the internal Dutch criteria, so this quota will be reallocated. Don't really know why the Dutch teams participated. Before the tournament they knew there was no chance to go to the Olympics. Better they played another tournament for prizemoney.

Heuh? They are still on the court. only won the first match yet.

qualifies for the Olympic Games. Very happy with that! If loses against today, we also qualify for the VNL-finals.

Well, this one is for Czech Republic. Both Dutch teams didn't meet the national criteria, so I'm wondering why these teams participate in this Nations Cup final. NOC*NSF aks at least a top 5-finish at a Elite16-tournament. Both teams (Bröring/van Driel and Piersma/Bekhuis) are no longer able to meet that requirement. On both Elite16-tournament to come they are not even on the entrylist.

In this VNL Marring has been of more value than Daalderop, simply because Daalderop has a shoulder injury. I was very surprised she could hit the last two balls of the match that hard; her very first points this VNL ... and very important ones. But personally I like Marring's style better; left-handed, good angles and very constant. The schedule was certainly not in Canadian favour, but I think the narrow selection itself has proven to be the biggest problem. Gray and Van Ryk are wonderful players, they deserved better, but couldn't do it alone. @JoshI sincerely hope you gonna enjoy Canada's men's volleyball team in Paris. And wait till LA '28 before your favorite team will be there!

Indeed. But if they still manage to screw it up, they really don't deserve it. But today's match ... wow ... never expected to win this 'easy' 3:0. Very happy for our girls. And I'm also a bit sad for @Josh. If you are such a big fan, such an outcome is not fun. Dutch volleyball fans experienced this many many many times in the past.

Oh well ... case closed then. No lawyers needed anymore.

That would be the most ridiculous tiebreaker in history. Both times are set during the qualification period. Well, hopefully the Dutch Federation already has approached some lawyers for this insane situation. Or run a sub 38.30 in Geneve

But 'running the time of 38.30 earlier'? Does that mean TTO's time of 38.30 qualifies them for the Games, and Netherlands don't (when both teams don't improve the next weeks)?

For me (personally) it is no underestimation, but realism. And of course I hope the Dutch will win the 20 golds Gracenote predicts. But I don't see that happen. And however, 30-35 medals is quite a lot? A lot of medals on World Champs have been won while favourites didn't compete, like in swimming (4x100 free / Van Rouwendaal / Schouten) and in athletics (4x400, Bol). I understand the Gracenote-prediction, but gold for Van Rouwendaal, Schouten, the 4x100 free ... not in a million years. And I don't see Bol - competing finally against Sydney McLL again - winning gold either. On the other hand we have some big favourites, like Lavreysen (track cycling), Florijn (rowing) and the hockey women. So yeah, we will definitely win some golds, but I think most of the medals will be silver and bronze, which still is very good for a small country like Netherlands. And who knows, when everything turns well, we maybe can surprise. Until then I'll keep the expectations low, otherwise it will only be disappointing.

Around 30-35 but I only expect a few golds ...

We can ask Germany if they like to go to Paris?

I wouldn't be surprised if Serbia ends up winning 3-2

Well, Canada is so gonna win the match against Netherlands. We are stuggling against Serbia C, it's embarrassing to see how we lost the third set 25-18 (after 7-2 and 14-14). This Dutch team isn't good enough, it really seems like they don't realize every set counts.

And one of them, Placette/Richard, will be seeded 6th and therefore play in group F. Completely ridiculous to seed a home team that's not amongst the top 6. But good for them, because now they have a big chance to advance to the next round.

Second silver medal this tournament for Jorinde van Klinken. Quite impressive. And today (after yesterday's shot put silver with only 18.67) even with a very respectable distance of 65.99 SB.

Brouwer/Meeuwsen lost in the qualifications, therefore it's sure Van de Velde/Immers and Boermans/De Groot are qualified for their first Olympic Games. I'm very happy both teams will be in Paris. About the draw: the French entry will be seeded 6# , therefore poule F will be the weakest poule automatically. Number 6 or 7 or 8 from the Olympic Ranking will be drawn in this poule and have an advantage. Both Dutch teams will be 9-11 and therefore drawn in the poules A, B or C with Ahmann/Hellvig and Mol/Sorum , unless the ranking changes massively after Ostrava.

Situation between the Dutch beachvolleyballteams after Stare Jablonski: Boermans/de Groot - 9180 (lowest 460) Immers/van de Velde - 8880 (lowest 460) Brouwer/Meeuwsen - 8600 (lowest 600) Brouwer/Meeuwsen need at least a final four in Ostrava, otherwise they will miss the Olympics for sure.

I know she is a real fan of the Olympics and wants to play mixed with Wesley Koolhof. Not directly medal contenders, but in the mixed competition anything can happen. Only two wins needed to be part of the medal matches.

@MakedonasThanks a lot for your detailed explanation. Very nice! And of course good to hear that Schuurs and Rus are in. Now we have to wait what Schuurs want. Last Fed Cup-weekend Rus canceled her participation without giving a reason. Schuurs was very angry about that. But now it looks like she needs Rus to go to the Olympics.