CCB

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.

Only 1 men qualifies for the men's singles tournament: Tallon Griekspoor. Normally 1 men qualifies for the men's doubles tournament: Wesley Koolhof (because he is a top 10 doubles player). There is a problem at the women's side. Demi Schuurs didn't play at Roland Garros because of an injury. She will be around #20 at the doubles ranking. Only the top 10 of the doubles ranking is guaranteed of a place in the doubles tournament. After that they will look at Combined Ranking. Question: is there any chance Schuurs #20 and Arantxa Rus #60 (singles ranking) qualify for the women's doubles? I don't know how to read and understand the qualification document exactly.

First unexpected loss for Canada this VNL. This brings back the chances for the Dutch team. But honestly, our team plays so inconsistently. One moment they play incredibly well, the next moment it's not worth watching. They are missing a real top player, who finishes the points. We'll see what happens in the last five matches. I wish both teams the best

It's quite shocking, FIVB has to change this format. This really make no sense.

Another shocking result: among the men, the group win in four of the six groups was determined by a withdrawal, all on the same day. That rarely happens. Herrara/Gavira , Evans/Budinger , Perusic/Schweiner and Hodges/Schubert all suddenly injured?

A guaranteed quarterfinal place for , because they play against Kenia. Don't like the fact France is seeded 1st.

Oh no, what happened? I was wondering when he returned at the highest level, but still injured?

Interesting situation in Dutch beachvolleyball. Three teams still compete for two Olympic spots. Our best team Boermans/de Groot are struggling the last tournaments. Our eldest team Brouwer/Meeuwsen didn't play on their usual high level this year. Immers/van de Velde is our youngest team, but the last weeks they reach a very good level. After Espinho: Immers/van de Velde - 8880 points (lowest result 460 points) Brouwer/Meeuwsen - 8600 points (lowest result 600 points) Boermans/de Groot - 8460 points (after 11 results - with their entrance in the last Elite 16 in Ostrava, they will end with at least 8920 points). With only Stare Jablonski and Ostrava to go still a beautiful battle to watch.

Raupelyte and Paulikiene qualified for the main draw in Espinho!

I think the bracket will be like this (but especially in the -90 kg there are a lot of contenders outside the top 8 who can make the quarter finals): Bekauri Silva Morales Sherov Bobonov Murao Zgank Parlati Majdov

Only the 6 best results count. Wagner already had 6 results in the last 12 months. Her weakest result (500 points) will removed.

I think Bellandi is number 1 on the Olympic ranking (she earns 1400 points today, Wagner 2000-500). She will be in the pool with number 8 Litvynenko (Ukraïne). Semis against Ma (China,4) and Malongo (Fra,5). Pretty good chances she will be in the final. My calculations - quarter finals when all seeded judoka's reach the quarterfinal: Bellandi Litvynenko Ma Malonga Lanir Steenhuis Takayama Wagner

Fortunately it was in the third round, so Van 't End just got enough points to go to the Games.

Noël van 't End lost against this guy, because he used a forbidden technique (according to the referee). But the referee only thought that because the "Lebanese" shouted so loudly, while nothing was wrong with Van 't End's technique. Why would he use such technique if he leads with wazari? It was clearly an act of the "Lebanese" and a wrong decision by the referee. Especially when he said to Van 't End: "You win ". So hopefully he loses his 3rd place fight.

Unfortunately, Van Lieshout (WRL1) comes at the Games in the same quarter as Japan's Takaichi (WRL8). An unfortunate side effect of her fantastic world title.

I enjoyed the judo competition today very much. Especially Joanne van Lieshout, but also the Polish girl Szymanska ... wow!! What a beautiful techniques she used. Tito Grigalashvili is always nice to watch, a well deserved third world title for him.

Sven Roosen - Decathlon - 8.519 points What a surprise we have a decathlete in Paris

And as an extra reward your team plays against Netherlands today, so the third place on the world ranking is up for grabs.