Volleyball…Beijing 2008

Some more Youtube vids of the World Cup

Spain Vs Russia

Spain Vs USA

Russia Vs Japan

Here are the coaches comments as we head into the 3rd round of the World Cup. FIVB

The 12 Head Coaches of the Women’s World Cup 2007 HEAD COACHES TOKYO SITE A

Jon Uriarte (Argentina): “Our team is arriving in good health to the last round. Our young squad is growing during the competition and we hope to face three of the most powerful teams in this competition and continue to grow. For us this has been a really important step toward our qualification for the Olympics and we want to complete this competition in the best way”.

A clip of Australia Vs Brazil

from andrea zorzi

Full press release here.

The venues in Fukuoka and Okayama saw today the end of the 3rd Round of the Men’s World Cup 2007: the standings still have Russia leading unbeaten, followed by Brazil, Bulgaria and U.S.A. Two rest days will prepare the stage for the final round, the 4th in the World Cup Round Robin, which will be played from Friday in Tokyo. Today’s action in Site A saw Argentina beat Egypt 3-1, Russia overpowered Puerto Rico 3-0 and Spain downed Japan 3-1. In site B, U.S.A. cruised past Australia in straight sets, Bulgaria beat Tunisia 3-1 and Brazil defeated Korea.

Argentina – Egypt 3-1 (25-22, 25-19, 16-25, 25-21)
Australia lost to U.S.A. 0-3 (17-25, 12-25, 19-25)
Puerto Rico lost to Russia 0-3 (22-25, 21-25, 19-25)
Bulgaria def Tunisia 3-1 (26-24, 22-25, 25-15, 25-17)
Japan lost to Spain 1-3 (26-24, 19-25, 18-25, 19-25)
Brazil def Korea 3-0 (25-20, 25-17, 25-20)

Click here to see a post on Aussie player Luke Campbell’s blog. From Devo’s V0lleyball.

Andrea Zorzi takes a look at some of the setters in the tournament.

Vadim Khamuttskikh
(Russia today is his 38th birthday).

Since the eighties, when the former Soviet Union lost the World Volleyball leadership conquered by USA, Russians keep searching the “great setter”. They are persuaded that the main reason of many defeats depends on the lack of an adequate setter.
I disagree. I believe that Khamuttskikh improved very much during his long career. He is a good setter, probably not as stunning as others, but his emotional approach, his setting skills and tactical running are fine. Vadim is able to set center quick attack even with imperfect passing, denying the old wide spread opinion that Russian rely on their amazing powerful attacking slow and high ball.
But, until this team doesn’t win a major tournament, everybody will continue to think that Russia is wasting great opportunities because of his setter!

Todays press release

The 7th day of competition at the FIVB Men’s World Cup 2007 still maintains the same standings as yesterday: Russia remains in first place followed by Brazil, after their 7th and 6th win in a row against African teams Egypt and Tunisia respectively. The big match of the day was played in Fukuoka by Japan and Puerto Rico. Carlos Cardonas’s team beat host Japan for the first time ever in an outstanding match in front of a 5,170 audience. In other action in Site A, Spain downed Argentina easily 3-0 and Russia beat Egypt also in straight sets. In site B, United States swept Korea 3-0 and Bulgaria was stronger than Australia 3-0.

It was a quick day today, every game ending in three sets.

Spain beat Argentina in 3

USA beat Korea in 3

Russia beat Egypt in 3

Bulgaria beat Australia in 3

Peurto Rico beat Japan in 3

Brazil beat tunisia in 3

Results, stats, match info here