CCB

Another big win for Italy (11-4 against Belgium). Now they have to wait who their next opponent will be.

Vandaag winnen van Israel betekent een playoff tegen het matige Frankrijk; vandaag verliezen betekent een playoff tegen het sterke Spanje.

Zou mooi zijn als enkele teams zich nog plaatsen, want die vormen toch altijd het hart van de Spelen. Vind dat altijd leuker om te volgen dan een sporter die z'n kunstje op 1 dag(deel) moet laten zien. We gaan het zien ... de honkballers zijn van 18 tot en met 22 september als eerste aan de beurt. 5x winnen op het OKT = Tokio.

Olympische Fietsspelen haha, je zou wel eens gelijk kunnen krijgen! Maar ook op het water mogen we wel wat verwachten van de zeilers en roeiers. In het water hoeven we inderdaad niet veel te verwachten, of Sharon van Rouwendaal moet nog eens uit haar slof schieten ...

Vorig jaar leek het er op alsof Nederland met een record aantal teams naar de Spelen zou gaan, maar in de tussentijd is er toch wel iets veranderd. Hoe staan de teams er nu voor? Voetbalvrouwen: geplaatst Hockeyvrouwen: geplaatst Softbalsters: niet geplaatst Hockeyheren: eind oktober play-off tegen Pakistan (kan nog wel eens lastig worden, Rusland of Oostenrijk als tegenstander was eenvoudiger geweest) Honkballers: spelen nu een wisselvallig EK en van 18-22 september tegen min of meer dezelfde landen het OKT in Italië (gastland, Israël, Nederland, Spanje favoriet) Handbalvrouwen: spelen in december het WK en - als ze geen wereldkampioen worden - in maart het OKT, zonder topspeelster Nycke Groot Volleybalheren: kansloze missie op het OKT in januari met 7 sterke Europese tegenstanders Volleybalvrouwen: wat is dáár misgegaan? OKT in januari in Turkije wordt erg moeilijk, Turkije lijkt onze dames inmiddels voorbij te zijn Waterpolovrouwen: nog twee kansen na het totaal mislukte WK: in januari het EK en in maart een OKT. Wordt spannend, Nederland kan er ook zomaar naast vallen Waterpoloheren: kansloze missie op het OKT in maart, ondanks dat het in eigen land is Ik hoop dat ik ernaast zit, maar ik verwacht er eigenlijk nog maar 1 of hooguit 2 teams bij.

Netherlands win against Germany (8-1) and still has a chance to avoid Italy and Spain in the quarterfinals. Italy and Israel make the most impression so far. 4 plays, 4 wins.

Finally the first win for these Championships, a solid 9-0 against . After the loss of today, the Dutch probably need two more wins against Israel and Germany to avoid and in the quarterfinals.

Will the pools for the OG-qualifier determined by serpentine system? In that case we have TUR (first seed, because host), BUL, POL, AZE and NED, GER, BEL, CRO. Or has Turkey the right to choose the teams in their pool?

Tricky draw for 26 and 27 October D-days

Absolutely Turkey. Netherlands is very weak at the moment and with this coach it won't be better in january.

I already expected that: so much fumbling in the infield. This Dutch team is the weakest Dutch team in years ... unfortunately. So, this loss means maybe Spain or Italy will play against in the quarterfinals . How will be determined the number 5 of these championships?

We'll see, but at this moment NED is struggling against Czech Republic, so I have no illusions NED is at the same level of last international championships. Hopefully it turns out there is little differences between the teams, that gives us nice matches to watch!

For me the Israel team is favorit to win the Olympic berth, however, they are struggling against Sweden (3-3 in the 9th inning). Netherlands miss their best players, otherwise they had a big chance to qualify.

Pakistan will be a very, very tricky opponent for The Netherlands. A play-off against Malaysia, France, Ireland or Korea would be easier. Only reason Pakistan is in pot 4 is that they withdrew from the Pro League. Don't like this format at all.

Hassan won the 5k today, but said she won't race the 5k in Doha. She chooses the 1.500 and 10k. Strange decision, in my opinion 5k gives her the best chance for a gold medal.

8 service-errors from The Netherlands in their first set against Turkey Turkey plays - as expected - much better than our team. Hopefully the Dutch can things turn around before the Olympic Qualifying Tournament starts.

Pretty decent results for the Dutch fleet. Unfortunately the Men's Eight didn't make it to the final yet. Dutch Row Association wants at least 8 teams in Tokio. I presume they want a team in the M1x, M2x, M4x, M8, LW2x, W2x, W4x, W4-. Will be difficult, because the Dutch standards are higher than the IOC standards. For example, Dutch boats only qualifies when they are in the final. For IOC top 8/9 or top 11 is enough to qualify.

And Belgium , finalist two years ago, is out! They lost against Spain and ended third in the poule, behind The Netherlands. After the surprisedraw against they really thought they closed the gap with the world elite, but four days later they are in the playdown matches at this European Championships.

Oh yes, I really will cheer for Bulgaria tonight!!! Europe deserves having at least 5 teams at the Olympics.

Last year I was impressed by Slovenia, but I think there's no real favorite. I presume Netherlands and Belgium have the smallest chances.

According to the well informed WorldofVolley the European qualifier for women definitely takes place in ..... Istanbul . Not a great surprise, Dutch federation doesn't want to spend money again.

Final tournament for European teams in Germany (Berlin): or What a line up

But Netherlands did a very good job. Unfortunately the didn't surprise with an Olympic ticket, which was actually not so far away (they led by a 3 points margin in the 4th set).

Oh no, I'm not from Friesland, so no fierljeppen or skutsjesilen for me. You became national champion fierljeppen @heywoodu? :-)

Congrats Italy! Very deserved win and hopefully a gold medal next year ... Egonu is outstanding!!! Very sad about the Dutch performance today, hopefully Sloetjes will find her shape back for the European Qualifier in January (Turkey).