Italy - Bulgaria (Highlights)

@hanes233: Statistics says the opposite - look ECH 2007, 2009 and 20011 for example

@HCLT: Statistics is in favor or my statement. Just check all tournaments after 2006 and we will talk again. When you have teams of approximately equal stature like Bulgaria and Italy, the path to the match becomes important and heavy. Poland played at home, the match was in 5 sets and was really hard for us for number of reasons. The Italy that beat us 4 times had 12 losses in 13 matches before that against us, I don't think there is such a big difference. The abscence of Kaziyski and Zhekov is a problem, yes, but still not enough to compensate for Italian weaknesses / Parodi after the injury is not that pipe - man in attack, Travica is no genius and MB's are not Muserskiy and Simon/ We are much better in blocking also. Unfortunately our organization during game is not what I want it to be, but the players start late to learn basic things in volleyball thanks to our federation and the coaches.

@raylight: Please, check how these stats are collected. I remember some girl explaining to you how it’s done, and she gave a lot of details. For example, suppose you’re a libero and then you dig a powerful hit with no block to help with a rebound, it counts as a dig. Later you receive a free ball, sent to your court with a bump, guess what? It counts as a dig as well. Stats were never in your favour, you just ignore obvious facts. Maybe you need some help to understand them, and I’m sure some people here could help you, me included. Who said Bulgaria and Italy have “approximately equal stature”? If by stature you mean the quality of their game, I’m sorry, but the Italian style is more sophisticated and so far they’ve started as favourites against Bulgaria, and confirmed that condition. The Italy that lost to Bulgaria before this winning streak over Placi’s guys was a different squad. Teams change and we’ll always see absences – Murilo has been absent of the Brazilian team and no one here is using that as an excuse, Vissotto was absent in the last two gold medal matches Brazil played and nobody made a reference to that, and it doesn’t matter as those would be nothing but excuses. Bulgarians started playing late against Poland, but once they got into the game, Polacos knew their fate. The Polaco team faced some trouble to beat Slovakia and Turkey, and was clearly weaker than France, another team that defeated the Polacos before they were kicked out by Sokolov and his teammates. If Bulgaria made complicated a game supposed to be easy, it’s nobody’s fault but their own. In previous competitions the Polacos had shown how limited they are, so you’re just trying to please the kids, something you abruptly put aside when one of them mocked Bulgaria for being the owner of fourth place. Camillo Placi is doing a great job, it’s easy to notice the Bulgarians are improving. This is certainly the best Bulgarian team this century, but still not good enough for the top three, although sometimes the underdog can make a surprise (Belgium defeated Italy, remember?), and Bulgaria could definitely beat Italy, despite the Italians are more solid as a squad.

@HCLT: I think we have better MB's and blocking than Italians, while they are better backcourt. I don't see big difference here. I see big difference with Russia for example P.S. I believe Rezende when he thought in 2006 that Bulgaria was one of the best if not the best teams in the world. Back then we had Plamen Konstantinov and Vladimir Nikolov in the team, three very big players on the wings, better serving and reception

@raylight: One aspect alone won’t define the whole thing. Anyway, Bulgarian MBs aren’t better than the Italian ones. Remember Bira and Beretta? They’re very good players, especially the first. None of the Bulgarian middles has Bira’s qualities. The Bulgarian 2006 squad was good, but lacked a few things. When Bernardinho said that? To whom? Bulgarian press? Now you reminded me of our colleague @Michal, who mocked the kids for believing those made-to-please interviews. “…one of the best if not the best team”... Well, we all know which team was the best back then by far. ;-) It seems every argument you’re trying isn’t working. You don’t see big difference between Bulgaria and Italy? Even if it’s small, there’s some in favour of Italians.

@HCLT: May be in attack, but Yosifov and Nikolov are quite competitive, and Todorov can solve matches with blocking and serving. Rezende said that for FIVB. He said that because Bulgarian second team was better than Brazil's first team and lost because we made many mistakes, since for us this match was not important The small favor for Italy should not lead to 4 consecutive wins for them. Having senseless draws unlike other team sports is one big factor for these results. Other factors are youth, inexperience and fear of Bulgarian players. I just want to have draws like in football, not to have 8/10 strong teams in one stream and 2 other in the other stream, so some weaker team can pass to quarterfinals or even semifinals. This is no promoting sport, this is selling medals

@raylight: Which matches at global level were solved by Todorov? So, Bernardinho said that during one of those FIVB post-match interviews? As I said, one of those made-to-please, but smart people read between the lines. We know how strong Bulgaria was… They won… Nothing. I said “even if it’s small”… I see a more consistent team when I watch Italy comparing to Bulgaria. Anyway, if it’s small but they keep the level in crucial moments, then they also have the necessary mental toughness. Lanza, Beretta, Baranowicz, among others, how many young and inexperienced Italians do you want me to mention? You say Bulgarian players fear the opponents. Dunno about that, but if it’s true, so what? Is this an excuse to be added to a long list? Any time some player feels a headache or start to shake the tournament should stop? About the drawing of lots, I think you complain too much. Brazil has been playing on the toughest side in most competitions and I never heard anybody here bitching on that. Bulgaria had a tough pool in London 2012? 2013 WL? Beijing 2008? I don’t think so. Selling medals to whom? Be more specific. Team Italy is better than Bulgaria. Period. Please, learn to be a good loser. There are few things worse than someone who loses and try to diminish the winners’ accomplishments.

@HCLT: Playoffs with Belgorod for example, CSKA in Champions League /when CSKA won vs Kazan, Tours and a spanish team/ match with Serbia in qualification for Olympics /all matches with 10 blocks or more/ . The man is third year first or second in blocking in Russia. He had several matches with many blocks and a lot of points. That was when Yugra had a coach, he is wasting time there last two seasons. Dinamo Moscow offered him to play with them, but he refused.

http://www.volleyservice.ru/index.php?option=com_volleyplayers&task=statistic&act=stat_game&game_id=1592&Itemid=77 http://www.volleyservice.ru/index.php?option=com_volleyplayers&task=statistic&act=stat_game&game_id=1594&Itemid=77
HCLT, this is a sport, and in sport not always the better team wins, or Russia would win everything after 2007. In sport sometimes the more determined team wins. About drawing lots, when some team is class above others, this is not big problem, but when you have several at one level, they are screwed

@raylight: Global, Rayray. I said global level. Playing CSKA, Tours and a Spanish team isn’t what we were discussing. Serbia during Olympic qualifier? A team that struggled to get a berth and once in London couldn’t advance pool play? Nothing against powerhouses? Sorry, it’s been a long time since you started to say whenever you could that Todorov is a beast. No, he’s not. Todorov is a very good blocker, not so good hitter, not one of those MBs to be remembered as you suggested here before, he’s neither Gustavo Endres nor Stephan Hübner. “…in sport not always the better team wins”. It’s already been said in this thread, Rayray. You’re walking in circles. I’m still curious about that “selling medals” affair. No matter how much I like Placi, and also Sokonator and Skrimov. I have huge respect for Aleksiev, who became a solid left side after years as an ordinary player. FYI, players such as Bruno, De Cecco and Priddy, among others, have a lot of respect for him. I appreciate Bratoev humbleness to accept he’s limited and try to follow Placi’s plans, though he oscillates too much. Anyway, his attitude helps the team – just think about Zygadlo, another limited setter, but the kind that screws things up for insisting in some plays he can’t execute. Salparov’s leadership skills are important for the team, despite the fact he’s not a top level libero. See, there is a lot of good stuff about Team Bulgaria, but they’re still behind Italy.

@HCLT: You go there and stop Musersky if that is not global enough for you, wiseguy :) I didn't say Italy are not better, I said that Italy are not better enough to lose everytime from them. I appreciate your contribution here, but I have to disagree about Todorov. He is a player that can win matches the same way Muserskiy and Simon do, not with spiking, but with blocking that changes the setting and spiking of the opponent and puts a lot of tension on the opponent. Just look the playoff with Belgorod, and see what is possible for him. His serve is also very damaging. Remember when Bulgaria defeated Russia in World League and Russia lost only from us - in 2011? Todorov's serving had a lot to do with this victory 3:1

@raylight: “He is a player that can win matches the same way Muserskiy and Simon do.” Rayray, please... Don’t make me laugh... Simon, Mumu, Mousavi, Lucas, Podrascanin and Bira, among many others, say “hello” to Todorov. lol “Remember when Bulgaria defeated Russia in World League and Russia lost only from us - in 2011?” You’re talking about a match that meant nothing to the Russian team. Sorry, you have no solid arguments, just bias. It’s funny, though. Still waiting for some explanation on the “selling medals” case…

@HCLT: You are arguing about players and matches you haven't watch. This is not arguing, this is empty talk. Russia played life and death against us, they never give us anything even if they qualify. We took the 4 points necessary despite their effort to stop us and their frustration. If you think they weren't motivated, watch the matches. And explain why of all teams only Bulgaria beat them in this World League :) Selling medals is obvious case, no need to explain. You explain yourself why all tournaments are being held in Brazil since Brazilian got boss of Fivb, Talking about selling and buying ;) Please watch some matches of Todorov and tell me there is anyone more dangerous in blocking then him. There are ton better at spiking despite his spiking height, but in blocking? Authority won't save you from laughter. National team is not everything in volleyball, you know

@raylight: Which tournaments are going to be held in Brazil? Please, let me know, I’d love to see them live. We all know the Japanese host tournaments every single year. BTW, I know some other country that begs to host tournaments, and you know it as well, but you’d never say it as you want to please the audience for some unknown reason. ;-) How do you know I haven’t seen Todorov? What I can see is that you don’t know how to use stats, and it’s shocking. Come on… How many times Bulgaria played Russia in 2011 WL? FOUR times, right? How many the others played against the Russians? True fact, Russia didn’t care losing that irrelevant match against Bulgaria. If you’re desperately trying to say Bulgaria was the only team to beat Russia in 2011, I should remind you they lost 2-3 to Serbia at Eurovolley and 0-3 to Brazil at the World Cup. Bulgaria just won some “friendly” game. I’ll make you happy: Todorov is a genius and Team Bulgaria is the best – Russia, Brazil and Italy are nothing compared to the Gods & Lions. Keep the funny side up!

@pesazi: I don't consider Bratoev genius, not at all, we don't have pipes with him for example, but he is playing in Harkov and Harkov is winning in him to mention