HCLT TOP 1000

Spiridonov is really short fused, quite immature, but I think the last drop was when Alekno found him drunk last year and said goodbye. Too bad for him, the guy is a good player. There are several funny stories involving Spiridonov. Some of his interviews are hilarious.

Talking about bad boys, someone here could upload the last Spiridonov adventure? Grankin almost punched him. LOL
http://news.sportbox.ru/Vidy_sporta/Volejbol/spbvideo_NI299479_Dinamo-povelo-v-serii-s-Iskroy?playeri=1&fb_source=message
Grankin smile after both were given a red card was priceless.

Michal, I think you don’t remember very well that play in Beijing. The set by Zagumny was so obvious that Bovolenta barely moved. Also, it was too low. Pay attention how Winiarski had to hit, there was no angle. Zagumny really made things easier for the Italians. It’s funny because almost every Polish fan I talked to that day blamed Winiarski and Kadziewicz (remember the joust in the previous play?) for the defeat. BTW, can’t forget Valerio Vermiglio teasing some crying Poles after the match – bad boy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KhQ5Pz_Fkuk

I agree with you about Kurek, his mental weakness is annoying. How can you be a top class player when you fail in crucial moments? Anyway, Michal, you're a bit cruel to Kurkofans. :-p

Zyta, Falasca lost five drzyzgas with his poor betting… Hey, suddenly you are Polish. Aren’t you British anymore?

Sakuraba, you’re funny! Oh, you’re wrong again. ;-)

Good one about Kurek, Roninho! You know a player that sends the crowd into a frenzy during a warm-up? Simon. He knows that everybody loves the way he hits the ball, so he makes a special performance – Simon is spectacular before and during the match, a showman. ChL final four? Roninho, I think it’s very poor the Polish federation giving Skra an easy ride, putting them to play Arkas in the semis, when the anticipated final was Zenit vs. Trentino. The final match was kinda funny, with Zenit playing badly, but still managing to win. That award to Wlazly was a big joke. Once again the refs messed up the party, but Zenit deserved the title anyway – I was rooting for them in both matches. If I’m not mistaken, JRios stopped writing here before Christmas.

Sakuraba, don’t disappoint me. How can you be mesmerized by a warm-up hit? It reminds me of our friend JRios, a nice guy that left this forum because he couldn't stand the excessive nonsense comments – he used to make fun of warm-up clips. Warm-up, Saku! If I see you writing things like that again I’ll put you back in the Polaco kids group. So glad my friend Roninho never disappoints me…

Embarrassing... This guy is a nut job.

Pearl, you’re right, Bebeto de Freitas became a football manager, doing well in his new sport. It’s common here in Brazil successful vball coaches migrating to football. It happened to José Carlos Brunoro, another famous vball coach in Brazil. You probably heard that José Roberto Guimarães, our women’s NT coach and Bernardo’s archenemy, spent three years as a football manager in one of our biggest football clubs. Vball called him back in early 2000s and he said “yes” – José Roberto is the only coach in history to win an Olympic gold medal in both men’s and women’s competition. Football clubs here in Brazil consider vball a great school for managers. Bernardinho has been invited several times to work for football teams, but he said he’s not interested. We’ll see what he’s gonna do after London Olympics, when he’ll stop coaching our men’s team.

Vatreni, you're the man! This is one of the best matches I ever saw. Loved the "Archeologia dello sport". lol

It's not me, but my evil twin, Enrico, who wrote those things. Thanks, Champion! ;-)

Guys, let’s stop being so aggressive. There’s no need to behave this way. NightFox and Someone, shake hands now! I’m really disappointed with both of you. I come here to watch movies and read awesome remarks, not harsh words. Gotta call Chrison…

@Someone: Marlon's grandpa is Japanese (Brazil has the largest Japanese population outside Japan). His teammates call him “Japa”, short form for “japonês” (Japanese). BTW, nice move by both setters.

You know, Pearl, so many tournaments that sometimes we forget the titles we have. I had totally forgotten about the first “Grand Champions Cup”, won by Brazil. A friend asked a few days ago if we have six or seven WL titles. I laughed. He really didn’t know – we won it nine times. I bet Italians do the same, you have so many glories… I feel bad for friends like Zyta. Sometimes I talk to her about Brazilian vball and she just cries of jealousy. So sad!

Pearl, he was the worst ever. Kidding! Marco Bracci was great. Don't you remember "Super Four"? Another tournament in Japan, this one held in even years. The host and the three best ranked teams played in November. So irrelevant! “Super Four” was replaced by “World Grand Champions Cup”, held every four years, after an Olympic year.

Wow! Thanks once more, Vatreni. I have this match. Italians seeking revenge after losing a thrilling semifinal in Sydney, but instead we saw Yugoslavia powering past them.

Hahahaha... Coitado! Faltou "bracci" pro Bracci. Only Brazilians and Italians will get this infamous joke. ;-)

A team from Albania? Forget Cameroon, I have new standards. I never thought that I’d see an Albanian team. Not kidding. I just shared this YouTube video with my friends. So cool! Vatreni, you’re my new idol. If you ever need booze, money, travel tips, call me. Because of this video you brought us, I found some rare Albanian vball footage from the sixties. Yeah, over 40 years ago! You’re the king, Vatreni!

I'd say 2002 worlds was the toughest. Like I said, each case is different.

Pearl, Italia è rimasto come un top team fino al 2004, cadendo nel ciclo seguente. Ora sono uno dei migliori di nuovo. Diamo ai ragazzi un pò di tempo e L'Azzurra vi darà motivi per essere orgogliosi. ;-) Vatreni, thanks for posting the final.

Hey guys, a competition gets tougher depending on pool seeding, scheduling, among other things. I remember 2004 Olympics when all semifinalists came from the same pool – that was really unbalanced. Each tournament is a different story.