Olympic Volleyball

[engineer]

One of the sports that interests me most this one

This is a merged thread for both men and women.

Here are the odds for the outright win (taken from betbrain):

MEN:
Winner

Brazil	2.05 @
Russia	6.00 @
Serbia	9.50 @
USA	11.00 @
Italy	11.00 @
Bulgaria	13.00 @
Poland	35.00 @
Germany	81.00 @
China	301.00 @

WOMEN:
Winner

Brazil (W)	3.75 @
China (W)	4.90 @
Russia (W)	5.75 @
Italy (W)	8.50 @
Cuba (W)	13.00 @
Serbia (W)	34.00 @
USA (W)	41.00 @
Poland (W)	52.00 @
Japan (W)	501.00 @

[engineer]

Russia looks value as a third fav in the women's competition

It will be really interesting with the men. Brazil failed badly at home in the world league finals and maybe the players' confidence is affected. It's just the opposite with the league winner - USA and the runner-up - Serbia. Both their prices are good in my eyes and can be taken. Italy and Russia just can't be that short priced, especially Italy
I'd like to think Bulgaria has decent chances, but everything depends on the players' form. I'll wait and watch the first 2-3 games in the group, but if everything is OK Bulgaria can turn over the big favs. Poland looks some value also @35
Opinions are more the welcome

[rcgills]

Yes, I've taken the 9.5 on Serbia to win the men's competition too. Was pretty impressed with what I saw of them in the world league semis, although I missed most of the final. Brazil surely can't be backed at that price after their performance in the world league?

In the womens, Cuba's price looks a bit long for a team 3rd in the world rankings. Would also like Italy's chances, but they've lost a key player, as Cuban-born Aguero has flown back home to visit her seriously-ill mother. Due to miss at least the first 3 matches (Russia, Kazakstan and Algeria). The latter 2 Italy should win easily regardless, but Russia will be tough. They've also got Brazil and Serbia in their group, and if Aguero ends up staying away for longer than planned, she could miss those games too. Will steer clear of Italy for the time being, maybe back them later once it's clear whether Aguero will come back. Will take Cuba though.

[engineer]

A value bet for me today - Venezuela to beat China in the men's tourney @2.75 bet365 - 2pts.

The price is that big because China are the hosts and won a game against Bulgaria. But I had the chance to watch both teams' first matches and I was more impressed by the South Americans. They fought back bravely against the USA after being 2:0 down and had every chance to win the tiebreak but couldn't handle the pressure. On the other hand China were quite enthusiastic against Bulgaria, but eventually they showed a poor volleyball, and most important - a quite poor serve.The hosts managed to nick the 3rd set as the Bulgarians thought they've already won it and payed for that, but there's no quality in the home team or at least less than in Venezuela. I'll try my chances with this bet, also I'll lay China @1.6, betfair and do some trading later if possible.

Can't find acceptable price still, but I'll gladly lump on Venezuela +2.5 games @1.4 or higher.

[engineer]

Venezuela lost it 2:3, 14:16 in the TB, but a nice profit after being 2:1 up. Hope there are more to come.

[kompressaur]

sorry i missed it engineer. Nah hold on a sec i am glad i missed it. What i mean i would like to have sat and watched it with a bet on. Maybe with the new 'betting event' calendar up top of forum i will never miss another bet again

[rcgills]

Good stuff Engineer

[rcgills]

Bit of a mixture for my outrights so far. Cuba going very well so far, and with their 3-2 win over China yesterday they should now go on to top the group and get themselves the (theoretically) easier quarter final.

Serbia have made a terrible start though. Losses to Russia, Brazil and Poland mean they're going to need to beat Germany and Egypt and hope they scrape through to the QF in 4th place.

What do you think of Bulgaria's chances against the USA tonight, Engineer? They played 4 times in the World League in June/July, and Bulgaria won 3 of them. Mind you, I think USA were already guaranteed to qualify by the time of the last 2 games, so not sure whether they may have rested players.

What do you think, Bulgaria worth a shot at 2.54 (Betfair)?

[engineer]

Cheers, RC, just found time to pop up in here

Yes, I reckon Bulgaria is value @2.6 at the mo.

There are several things to consider though:

1. Bulgarian team is down to bare bones with many of the players suffering with injuries or health issues.
Only one setter available and that's a bit of a problem but that;s not the main factor in this game.

2. Yes, Bulgaria beat USA 3 times recently, once in the US with the reserves playing and than twice in Varna with the out-of-form main players. That should affect today's game somehow.

3. Both teams' block is working pretty well since the beginning and that will be the main factor to tip the balance. So, the game is absolutely 50:50 in my eyes and Bulgaria worths a shot.

My stake is 4pts @2.60
Bulgaria _+1.5 games @1.73 - 5pts

[rcgills]

Cheers Engineer, Bulgaria it is then .

Not sure if we've got the match on anywhere over here in Spain though, might have to make do with following it via the online scoreboard.

[scottie]

I think that the Cuba Womens team are a team to watch i love there server and really think they are inform after watching them play against china.

[engineer]

Watch Online TV Free - Channels from worldwide: Kanal 1 Online
Try this link, RC, you've just have to press "play", I hope it works for you. The game will start at about 16:30 CET.

But the odds on USA are dropping as fuck and Bulgarian's are fllying higher and higher... 3.25 available now. I took a bit more of it
there's no obvious reason for that drift, hope it's gonna be a ciggar

[engineer]

Everything looks OK for now

[rcgills]

No, doesn't work for me Engineer - says it's connecting, but just ends up timing out. Doesn't matter anyway, should really be working, not watching volleyball