There's an old sports cliche that says: If you want to be The best, you've got to BEAT The Best. And to beat The Best, you've got to spend a long, painful apprenticeship getting beat by The Best. Brazil's National Ladies Volleyball Team is clearly the World's Best, and have been for a long time. Today they took our Thai ladies to volleyball school, beating them convincingly, and too easily, in straight sets. They made it look like a practice match, hardly breaking a sweat. Our team played hard, and with much more heart and focus than the day before, but still could score no higher than 18 in any set. Looking for bright spots, there were a few:

• Onuma Sittirak Number Six, clearly came to play. She looked like her old self today, scoring most of the points with her patented slams.
• Tapaphaipun, Number 12, "Bamee" the Khon Khaen Dynamo, also came on with her best effort. She can jump and slam with the best, despite being the shortest player on the team.
• The setting play was a bright spot, although there are too many empty spots on the floor, that a good team will always find and exploit.
• The overall team effort was much improved, after yesterday's disorganized mess against the Dominicans.
• It was good to see Malika come on with her "A" game today.

Those Brazilian ladies are BIG. The only player we have that matches up with their front line height-wise is Pleumjit, Number 5. Trying to get the ball past that big wall up front is very difficult, to say the least. There was too much soft play today, trying to fake out the Brazilians with little taps over the net. We need to see Pleumjit flying out of the left side with her big slashing move, and FORGET about taking that fake swipe at the ball while someone behind you tries to take the shot. That move is ineffective against a top-tier ball club like Brazil, and fools nobody.

It doesn't get any easier after this. Next up is Japan on Friday night, looking for revenge on their home floor. Guaranteed--this Japanese team will not be fading out like the ones who lost so uncharacteristically in the championship match in Korat. And then the ladies go up against Russia and the USA team, the one that wins the gold whenever Brazil has a bad day (not often).

I'm looking for a breakout game from Team Captain Wilawan, and a return to dominance by Pleumjit. With those two returning to top form, and Onuma maintaining her excellent level, backed up with great play by Bamee and young Thatdao (star of the future), they can beat anybody, and be The World's Best.

Go Thailand!

When I saw the word Ipanema, I thought this was a topic on Thai Girls in Orchard Towers.

How wrong I was

Are these matches televised?

When do they play on Friday and what channel are you catching it on?

Thanks.

Friday 5:00 PM vs Japan. Channel 17 in my residence, but could be different on other systems.

I can't believe the empty stands at these matches in Japan. In Korat it was sold out every game, with thousands watching a big screen outside. This is an exciting team to follow. With all the bad news and crummy vibes happening right now, this is something to support and feel good about.

It is no disgrace to get beat by this Brazilian team, Gold medalists in Beijing 2008, and london 2012. Check out their stats, and note the SIZE of these ladies:

http://www.fivb.org/EN/volleyball/competitions/WorldGrandPrix/2013/Teams.asp

Sorry that link doesn't seem to work. Just look up Brazil Ladies Volleyball national team.

Hats off to them. They are clearly The Best, and will probably run the table in this tournament.

Friday 5:00 PM vs Japan. Channel 17 in my residence, but could be different on other systems.

I can't believe the empty stands at these matches in Japan. In Korat it was sold out every game, with thousands watching a big screen outside. This is an exciting team to follow. With all the bad news and crummy vibes happening right now, this is something to support and feel good about.

Thanks for the information. I'll be watching if TrueVisions shows the match.

When I saw the word Ipanema, I thought this was a topic on Thai Girls in Orchard Towers.

How wrong I was

Me too mate.

I thought for a moment I might see pics of someone I knew.

Goes to show where our minds are.

I came here for the pictures as well.

I came here for the pictures as well.

No idea wheter the numbers here match the initial post:

(at least number 5 IS the tall one and number 12 looks quite short like the poster describes it )

From http://www.thlive.com/14327-volleyball.html :

This site shows some Thai team members number by number in detail:

http://www.naewna.com/sport/69550

I am in love with number 4

Number 4 is Thatdao. She is a great young player, destined for future stardom in the arena. She's getting more playing time every match, and is growing in strength and confidence. She was so shy and bashful after the matches in Korat, and didn't want to be on camera.

The interviewer, that famous guy from morning TV, couldn't seem to keep his eyes off of "Jackie" (Amporn) , number 11. (Can't blame him, I think she's rather hot, too.) She is primarily a reserve player but always makes her presence felt when it's game time.

My personal favorite is Captain Wilawan, Number 10, who plays always with savage intensity, and keeps her troops charged up. A true leader.

Next: Take down Japan, again!

Number 13.

I like No. 13 Nootsara Tomkom coz of all players she look very fair, look chinese to me.

I came here for the pictures as well.

No idea wheter the numbers here match the initial post:

(at least number 5 IS the tall one and number 12 looks quite short like the poster describes it )

From http://www.thlive.com/14327-volleyball.html :

This site shows some Thai team members number by number in detail:

http://www.naewna.com/sport/69550

I am in love with number 4

Blimey it took me a minute to realise this isnt the dwarf Thai team

Sorry that link doesn't seem to work. Just look up Brazil Ladies Volleyball national team.

Hats off to them. They are clearly The Best, and will probably run the table in this tournament.

maybe brazil is indeed stronger and hence should win thailand, but dominican rep can also win thailand 3-0? unbelievable.

Topic moved from General topics to Sports, Hobbies & Activities