phelps

I wouldn't say that...LTU is way more physical than ITA, they have bigger bodies (that's why we always struggle against them), but if we look at pure talent, there's not so much difference, only Sabonis can be considered on another level

no, I don't think so...they will just be out of the list, nobody will notice their absence (knowing that the actual RUS and BLR teams are not participating)

yeah, but even if I think they won't qualify, there are still in play Nations like or who might do the trick but I'm sure FIFA and IOC will do some magic and that Asian team in group D will end up being one between or

don't run too much ahead...let's wait and see who qualify, first Russians and Belarussians simply won't appear (not even as AIN) in the official medal table...it's as simple as that they will have their prize ceremony with AIN Flag and anthem, but that's all...AIN just isn't a team, only a signature to identify the athletes coming from those Nations

well, given the results of the European champs and of this world champ, is already well behind (they're 0-3 in 2 tournaments this year) but of course you're right...many things will happen from here to 2026...way too early to say something "serious"

yes, @Josh is right, they clearly explained that during the draw: CAF #1 is the winner of vs , CAF #2 is the winner of vs

they're already in... we expect 3 medals from curling at home...after Beijing 2022, the limit is the sky

no, but it might happen that the Asian team in group D will be an Islamic Nation...it might get tricky for the organizers and the IOC

given the swimming schedule (only 1 final colliding...and perfectly set at a time that should be in the interval of the basketball game), USA vs SRB (July 28th) might well be at 9 p.m. Paris time (3 p.m. ET in the USA)

in this case, it's quite obvious that one of the endurance girls will get the spot next to Vece to enlarge our roster for the pursuit/omnium/madison team

it would be a nice story, but I don't think they're good enough

it's an agreement between FIFA and IOC football is too important as a sport not to be at the Olympics, but a full regular tournament with all the best players (and teams) in the world would get too much attention by the media and would put the other sports in the shadow that's why they came out with such a sh*t (the old rule of free teams but no players who have already competed in a world cup and/or world cup qualifiers -used until 1988- was abandoned because of the main national federations and clubs from Europe, as they didn't want to lose important players for the Olympic campaign -qualifiers included- anymore)

the usual suspects... maybe (playing at home and being the new FIFA's darling...you know )

I'd wait to know who the Asian team is...Japan and/or Australia might not be easy opponents

no, but this is what the IOC stated... however, they won't be part of the Parade of Nations, but they will be present at the Ceremony (I have no idea in which role...will they enter somehow "hidden" to the audience? will they be just spectators? I don't know)

the new MLB season is officially underway!!! LA Dodgers and San Diego Padres are opening this year's campaign with a couple of games in Seoul, Today (the game started at 11 a.m. CET) and Tomorrow the full program, instead, will start next Thursday, March 28th

there's no way Capobianchi or Selva would be selected for Paris if they have to keep those 2 speed spots, most likely they would use one of them to select another endurance girl (so to enlarge the roster of the pursuit quartet/omnium/madison group) I think we could also use one of the road racing spots for that, as Balsamo could well have a shot at the road race (so to open up some space for Barbieri, Fidanza, Alzini and be able to choose at the last minute who to place in the team pursuit next to Balsamo, Paternoster and Guazzini, who basically are a lock) however, I still hope they can get one of our male sprinters a chance in both sprint and keirin races

they will be decided later, when all the teams will be known daily start times are: 11 a.m. 1.30 p.m. 5.15 p.m. and 9 p.m. local

sorry, but there's no way they will ever get an invitation for any team event their athletes won't even take part in the Opening Ceremony yesterday's new updated document is well clear: https://olympics.com/ioc/news/ain-eligibility-review-panel-established-by-ioc-eb-paris-games-time-protocol-elements-agreed-on in particular, point #2 "Teams of athletes with a Russian or Belarusian passport will not be considered."

yes, they are! the problem is that here in Italy there are a lot of them...and they're also very noticeable in our society, our media, all around p.s. being anti-EU is a good thing it's everything else that's a disaster

https://www.fiba.basketball/olympics/men/2024/games

there's a chance we might have Drew Eubanks ready for the tournament in San Juan more difficult to fill the documents so to have Dante Di Vincenzo (AKA Big Ragù) but tbh, we need more a player like Eubanks, even if Di Vincenzo is on another level, generally speaking

when you can make money out of something, our politicians are always ready

typical Russian/Belarussian disease, I guess but I though it was hitting people only when they were in their Home Country...we all know that out there the windows are always open (despite the cold Winter temperature) and don't have proper balustrades

Liiga Playoffs Quarterfinals Pairings (Best-of-7 Series) Tappara Tampere (1) vs TPS Turku (9) Ilves Tampere (2) vs KalPa Kuopio (7) Lahti Pelicans (3) vs HIFK Helsinki (6) Kärpät Oulu (4) vs Jukurit Mikkeli (5)