FIVB Volleyball Men’s Nations League 2019

[inarsenewetrust]

Almost. but they started the match without 3 of their usual starters, Volkov, Kliuka and Kurkaev. but two of them came in for the 3rd set. I think their coach probably didn't show all of his cards because of the Olympic qualification match later in August between Iran and Russia which will be do or die for Russia.

they all add Maxim Mikhaylov and probably Dmitriy Muserskiy (if healthy) for the OG qualification. they also have Butko and Volvich but I'm not sure if they are starters anymore.

Russian team in 3rd set plus 2 more players is probably the real Russia we will see in Saint Petersburg for the OG qualifier

can you just explain how the olympic qualification process works? Winner between iran and russia goes to olympics and other doesnt? Seems weird that one of thsoe teams wouldnt be in olympics.

[Irannn]

can you just explain how the olympic qualification process works? Winner between iran and russia goes to olympics and other doesnt? Seems weird that one of thsoe teams wouldnt be in olympics.

no that's just the first chance. but the thing is, the 2nd qualification chance will be much much harder for Russia than Iran. that's why it's a do or die match for Russia but not for Iran.

we have 6 groups of 4. we are in the same group with Russia, Cuba and Mexico. the winner qualifies for the Olympics.

after that, early 2020 we will have continental qualifiers, and the winner from each continent qualify too. since Japan is already qualified as Olympic host, we only have to deal with China, Australia and South Korea to qualify. it won't be easy but I like our chance against those teams. only Australia is a serious treat here.

but for Russia it will be much much harder, because there are so many good teams in Europe.

here are the Olympic qualification groups

A) Brazil, Egypt, Bulgaria, Puerto Rico
B) USA, Belgium, Netherlands, South Korea
C) Italy, Serbia, Australia, Cameroon
D) Poland, France, Slovenia, Tunisia
E) Russia, Iran, Cuba, Mexico
F) Canada, Argentina, Finland, China

[PSGman#19]

They were missing a couple of their star players (Mikhaylov and Muserskiy) like most other big teams in this tournament.

Damn I feel we are winning all because all the big teams come with their B team

[_Navid_]

Damn I feel we are winning all because all the big teams come with their B team

Well we shouldn't undermine the wins and the great performances but the reality is that nations league is the 4th most prestigious volleyball tournament in the world (after Olympics, world champs, world cup that are every 4 years) so it is kind of like an experimental tournament for some teams in some years.
That is why we didn't see the likes of Zaytsev, Osmany (Italy), Mikhaylov, Muserskiy (Russia), Kurek, Kubiak (Poland) etc...

But if our team can keep its current form I can see us repeating our previous Olympic performance (quarter final) and maybe even reaching semis.

[DR Strangemoosh]

On the volleyball forums (volleytalk) there is some talk about concerns regarding VISA situation for our boys if we reach the semis in Chicago, especially if Persian Gulf situation escalates

"I spoke to someone at the top of USAV who voiced this is a concern. It was also implied that if there is difficulty with the Iranian team getting visas that the FIVB could pull the next two finals from the USA."

Read more: http://volleytalk.proboards.com/thre...#ixzz5r3b5JmdV

[diz]

[diz]

Next up for Iran: Portugal, Australia, France; on Friday, Saturday, Sunday, respectively. All three matches in Ardabil (Iran).

[diz]

Marouf crafts Iran’s upset of VNL champions Russia

https://www.volleyball.world/en/vnl/...pions?id=83411

Lausanne, Switzerland, June 17, 2019 – Saeid Marouf ran Iran’s well-crafted offence to record their eighth win, along with Brazil in the 2019 FIVB Volleyball Nations League on Sunday.

Iran completed their sweep of their home matches in Urmia with their 3-0 (25-20, 26-24, 25-23) defeat of Russia, as captain Marouf led his team setting up brilliant plays for Amir Ghafour and distributing well-calculated sets to the rest of the starters.

The 33-year-old Iranian setter likewise got involved in scoring with three attack points and two service aces to bolster the team’s strong finish against the reigning VNL champions. He sits on top of the best setter ranking with an average per set of 9.03.

Ghafour, on the other hand, topped all scorers with 17 points that were fired solidly from the attack line. Milad Ebadipour and Seyed Mohammad Mousavi scored eight points each, then Marouf, Purya Fayazi and Ali Shafiei had five points apiece.

Ghafour is third in scoring with 151 total points and is separated only by seven markers from best scorer Sharone Vernon-Evans of Canada (158) and six points from Gabriele Nelli of Italy (157).

Viktor Poletaev and Yaroslav Podlesnykh’s respective double-digit outputs of 16 and 11 were no match for the intensity of the hosts as the latter led in the attack and block categories, committed fewer errors and employed better defence on them.

The Iranians now have a total of eight wins and one loss, while Brazil have the same win-record and trail by two points to stay on the second spot in the overall standings.

[persian-eagle-13]

Next up for Iran: Portugal, Australia, France; on Friday, Saturday, Sunday, respectively. All three matches in Ardabil (Iran).

we need to get 7 out of 9 points. which is very possible.

[diz]

[diz]

tight first set: 15-16 (Iran-Portugal)

[diz]

Portugal takes first set 25-23...Iran needs to step it up for the next set

[_Navid_]

I think this was the clear proof of the big difference between our best 6 and the reserves.

[shahin2000]

I smell an upset coming.

[diz]

Iran took second set...again very close. Iran leading third set.