Volleyball World Cup

[engineer]

I won't open thread for the whole tournament, but for single games only as I don't think there will be big interest here... unfortunately.

But for today's match I see a great value bet - Bulgaria to win 3:0 against USA, priced 4.135 at Betfair.
Really nice value, Bulgarian team plays superb volleyball, and USA are torn by scandals at the moment. Bulgaria won 3 matches with 3:1, I think it's time for a clear win, and I see USA as a much weaker team right now. Yes, they trashed Brazil, but Brazil isn't the same team without playmaker Ricardo. After that lost two games in a row and this looks like a downtrend. And today they face Bulgarian team, which many specialist fancy to win the cup.
Still, I'll repeat myself, awesome value here and I'm going for
3:0 CS - 5/10
Bulgaria -1.5 games - 7/10

[rcgills]

I don't know all that much about volleyball, Engineer, but I am kind of following it as my wife's a volleyball player and fan, and with Spain being involved it means there's interest in it over here, so I'll try and keep you company in the thread, even if my comments aren't of much use

I know my wife was pretty disappointed when Spain lost to Bulgaria, she seemed to think it was a bit of a surprise (what with Spain being European champions, although they've lost their coach - can't remember his name now, Italian I think, Andrea someone). Having said that, Bulgaria have been looking good in their subsequent games too (in terms of results, although I've not actually seen them play).

Saw some of the USA v Brazil game, USA looked pretty impressive to my uneducated eye there, although I didn't know Brazil were missing an important player as you mention. They looked a shadow of that side though when playing Puerto Rico (also saw some of that game), and then lost to Spain in their last match, so as you say, they do seem to be on a bit of a downtrend.

Not having seen Bulgaria play yet, I think I'll keep away from this one for now (although may get involved in running at some stage), but good luck with your bets

[engineer]

Cheers, RC, nice to have somebody to talk with, and not talking to myself only

Took a double before half an hour Bulgaria + Argentina, but Argie's game already started, sorry that I couldn't post my thoughts about it.
I'm at work now and maybe I won't be able to watch BG-USA match, but I feel too annoyed about that and consider to take a longish lunch break and go to the nearest mall or restaurant with TV in it to see what's happening out there.

[rcgills]

Argentina have lost the first set, fingers crossed for you that they get back into it

I assume you know there's a live scoreboard on the FIVB page?

2007 Men's World Cup - Live Scorebox#

[engineer]

Originally Posted by rcgills

Argentina have lost the first set, fingers crossed for you that they get back into it

I assume you know there's a live scoreboard on the FIVB page?

2007 Men's World Cup - Live Scorebox#

Aye, RC, thanks, but now I'm bolting to tha Mall of Sofia to have a pint or two and watch the game.
Mmm, BG leads 5:2, looking good

Hope the argies win it, but Bulgaria is my main bet.

[engineer]

Result - Bulgaria v USA 2:3

It all started wrong after Bulgaria blew 3 gameballs in the first game and lost it 27:29. Then fought back to lead 2:1, but USA were prominent in the next two games and won them. Unpleasant looser, hopefully nobody followed my bets for today

Tomorrow is another story, maybe bookies will make Brazil big favourite against Bulgaria, I hope so...

[bulit]

I cant beleived in this result..... Whats wrong with Bulgaria team? They've played amazing volleyball and to let USA to win? I cant imagine..... And one bad team as it was USA win also against Brazil and now this...

[rcgills]

Unlucky Engineer

Prices not really settled on Betfair, but Brazil are currently 1.16 to back/1.43 to lay, with Bulgaria 2.6 to back/6 to lay.

[rcgills]

Spain v Puerto Rico looks interesting tomorrow. Doesn't seem to be much to choose between them in their results so far, they've matched each other step for step:
3-0 v Egypt
3-1 v USA
1-3 v Bulgaria
0-3 v Brazil

Betfair odds have Spain as clear favourites though (Puerto Rico currently 3.3, and the odds haven't really settled yet, may well rise further), I'm not convinced it's as clear cut as that though. Having said that, in their win against the USA, Puerto Rico did seem overly reliant on one player (Hector Soto). Depends how well Spain can deal with him, I guess. Do think the price looks big on PR though.

By the way, Engineer, shall I rename this thread and just make it a thread for the tournament as a whole, or do you prefer individual threads for each game?

[engineer]

Originally Posted by rcgills

By the way, Engineer, shall I rename this thread and just make it a thread for the tournament as a whole, or do you prefer individual threads for each game?

Yes, RC, rename it, maybe it would be better to have a thread for the World cup, there are plenty of games remaining and we can have something to be interested in during the mornings.

[rcgills]

Have decided to go with a little interest bet on Puerto Rico (well, a lay of Spain to be precise). I can see why Spain are favourites, but not such short-priced favourites. Won't be able to watch it (not live anyway), as it's on at 3:30am over here, so will see how they've done when I get up.

Lay Spain v Puerto Rico @ 1.34 to win 4pts

[rcgills]

Originally Posted by rcgills

Having said that, in their win against the USA, Puerto Rico did seem overly reliant on one player (Hector Soto). Depends how well Spain can deal with him, I guess.

They failed miserably, by the looks of it, a whopping 21 points for Soto, as Puerto Rico won 3-0.

[engineer]

Great shot, RC

Didn't watch the games myself, but obviously forces are well leveled at that competition. Bulgaria were destroyed 3:0 by Brazil, after a nice start the team just fell apart, but I think they will rebuild for the next matches.

[engineer]

Today the most interesting game is between Japan and Spain, both teams are disapointed from their performance, but Spain should be much more.
They lost cahnces for the top 3 and today I can see the home team being highly motivated for a good match against the Euro champions. And my bets will be:
Japan to win the first set @2.50 bet365.
Japan to win match - I hope Betfair are fixed when the match start so I can put the bet there.