France's Comeback | Leon Denies Cuba the Olympics | Playoff Preview | VNL #27

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The final game day of the men's Volleyball Nations League group stage has concluded. We finally know all the Olympic qualifiers and the teams that will play in the current tournament's playoffs.
As usual, we witnessed six matches, the results of which we'll discuss in this traditional review after you hit the like button and subscribe to the channel.
Germany vs. Iran, France vs. Brazil, Japan vs. USA, Cuba vs. Poland, Turkey vs. Italy, Serbia vs. Slovenia.
Unfortunately, the episodes are no longer as timely because you requested match videos to be included, and uploading technical recordings to the server takes a long time, causing delays. So, please understand this situation.
Timestamps:
00:00 - Preview
00:42 - Germany vs. Iran
02:08 - France vs. Brazil
04:07 - Japan vs. USA
06:17 - Cuba vs. Poland
07:33 - Turkey vs. Italy
08:45 - Serbia vs. Slovenia
10:03 - Game day results, standings, individual stats
10:37 - Playoff preview
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[@trackhoodie1741]

Leon eliminated Cuba from qualifying to the Olympics. Ooof. That's tough. I am ignorant to his standing with the volleyball community back at Cuba but that is a rough one.

[@Lucalaurin]

Great video as always! For the right bracket Poland is a no-brainer. Even if Italy would bring their starters I don't see them beating Poland with the shape their in right now. Brazil and France have both been a mixed bag this VNL with both looking amazing sometimes and then struggling against much better match ups. Still France will surely win over Italys junior squad. Left side, surely Slovenia will beat Argentina. Argentina didn't have a particularly strong VNL. Japan v Canada is going to be an interesting match. Usually Japan would be favourites but Canada has been beating strong teams left and right this VNL. Japan is also missing Ran (most likely) which will make a big difference for them. I think a lot will depend on Maar, Ishikawa and Nishida. If one of then can clutch that can make the difference. In the matchup Slovenia Japan I see Japan as favourites even without Ran. Slovenia hasn't been able to beat them for 2 or 3 years now. I think Japan vs Poland is looking likely but Brazil or Slovenia could make it to the final too.

[@brandonedwright]

This could be Japan's best shot for a silver/gold medal. If they manage to get past Canada, they'll either face Argentina, who they have a good track record of victories against, or Slovenia, who they've already beaten this tournament and who'll presumably be tired after all the preliminary matches with few substitutions, as you've already mentioned. It'd be a hard fight for the gold if they get to the finals though, don't know if they could hold their own yet against Poland (presumably the winner of the opposite bracket)

[@Lucalaurin]

Agreed. If Ran would be healthy, I think the final would be pretty much set (Japan Vs Poland). Now without him Otsuka and Kai are both promising but not at a point yet where they can be effective at this level. I think against Canada it will depend on if Ishikawa or Nishida can deliver a clutch performance. Against Slovenia I'd say their chances are actually better since Japan is traditionally a bad matchup for Slovenia.

[@brandonedwright]

@@Lucalaurin Hopefully Otsuka will get some good experience with Milano next season

[@user-bg7fx9me5b]

Japan vs Poland for finals

[@maxlost8070]

Without ran Japan lose to Canada in 4, Poland beat Brazil in 5 with better a bench, France win in 3, if Italy starts their 2nd line up. If not then Italy in 4. Slovenia beat Argentina in a tie break, with more reliable players.

[@Lucalaurin]

Slovenia beat Argentina at most in 4, maybe even 3 sets. Argentina has been lacking this VNL. If Slovenia would have been in the opposite bracket finals would have probably been Slovenia Vs Poland. With how they've been playing I don't see any team except Japan beating them.

[@cleoglenglor7880]

The skill of Japan's 2nd stringers is not that far from the skill of Japan's 1st stringers.