Women's Volleyball, European League, From June the 7th

[boreas04]

Turkey vs Slovenia @ 17:00 CET, Saturday Women's European League 1st round 1st game to be played in Mersin, Turkey. Turkish coach opted to use the U21 selection for this tournament, with the exception of a couple of average players, as the seniors are preparing for the GP. This team is severely lacking in match practice together, as well as international experience and they do not have a leader to step up on court. Slovenia have brought the core of the players that did a good job in the EC qualifiers the previous two weeks, to Turkey, including Cvetanovic, Recek, Blagne, Valencic, Hutinski, Kaucic, Bozic, Medved etc. They are in great form at the moment and should surely steal at least one set from understrength Turkey tomorrow. Bookies still do not know that Turkey will play with reserves/youngsters in this tournament and they are offering such generous odds on Slovenia as consequence. High stakes on Slovenia handi and medium on Slovenia ML @ 4+, as fair odds should be no more than 2.50.

[boreas04]

Re: Women's Volleyball, European League, From June the 7th Greece vs Germany @ 17:00 CET, Friday Women's European League 2nd week. Germany have arrived in Greece with a totally experimental squad, missing all star players (Kozuch, Furst, Brinker, Beier, Ssuchke, Weiss etc.) that we are used to seeing on a regular basis. They have a couple of reserves from the 1st team but the majority of the team is comprised of 18-19 year old players, who will make their senior national team debut tomorrow. Attack, reception, setting are all question marks for this team at the moment and they will have a difficult task tomorrow in Greece. Greece have played a 5 setter with Poland last week and kept some close sets. Although they are not worldbeaters, they have the potential and experience to match up this shorthanded German team. I see a close match here with Greece winning at least two sets and possibly coming out victorious in the end. Greece +1.5 sets and Greece to win are my choices. Fair odd should be 1.90 on both sides here.