Hello from Norway. Rainy and cold here so far. When I got in on Monday it was actually a nice day. Yesterday it started out a bit overcast and cool and then started raining in the afternoon. Today it is cold and miserable out there and I feel sorry for the teams that have to play. Then again, I will be playing tomorrow and dealing with it just like everyone else.
Stavanger and Norway in general is a beautiful place. Very quaint town with cobblestone streets in some areas and lots of little lakes and rivers. The people here are very nice and speak excellent english which is great for us americans. Other than the weather, this is a great place to be.
Wanted to thank everyone for the support on the blog. Been great to read everyone's comments and I try to answer questions as best I can.
Lastly, some of the matches are televised on WCSN.COM/BEACHVOLLEYBALL. Not sure how much but it may be worth taking a look at for those of you interested in watching.
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17 comments:
Yeah Todd good luck in Norway. I have read that Norway is one of the richest countries on Earth since they sit on a ton of oil. They literally dont know what to do with all of the money and have a long list of people who want to become citizens. Do you find the FIVB refs and front office like the Americans or are they out to get you guys ala the screw job put on our 1972 Olympic Basketball team?
Todd, just caught you at Charleston and Atlanta AVP venues...actually spoke to you in the Charleston Airport-my wife and i were being entertained by Lambo...just wanted to wish you and Phil the best in Norway. Your blog keeps me informed, and info is hard to find other than what little bit of coverage is done by fivb. Have fun out there...you guys play better that way...thank you for taking the time to keep us update...Alan Beverly/Birmingham Al
Good luck in Norway Todd!
Unfortunately WCSN can only be watched from the US. They block you if you're somewhere else. Might be because they only bought the broadcast rights for the US from the fivb.
Todd,
Again wishing all of Team USA great success in Norway. Keep up the good fight. I am so jonsing for some live AVP action. Seems so long ago when Hermosa took place.
Arsenal12
Todd, hey saw you play in Charleston SC. Man was that funny when that Girl in the Pink Bikini was dancing during the time out in front of you and Phil during the finals? And then you got up way before Timeout was over since I guess it was pretty distracting! ha ha It was like that chick was giving yall a table dance ha ha ha
Volleybiggs
Norway is a very rich country and everything here is easily twice what you would pay in the states. Example being a Big Mac meal will run you around $12 here. Every meal you are spending at least $25, even for a sandwich.
Most of the FIVB refs and front office guys like the americans. We are a pretty mellow group and we will actually interact with the refs ect... where as most players stay far away.
I believe Lambo was playing the guitar? I do remember you. Thanks.
That girl was annoying as she plopped herself right in front of Phil and I. That was why I got up earlier than I normally do during a break.
I saw on the FIVB site you won your first match in Norway. I think I saw you were seeded higher this tournament so when you make it out of pool play, you won't have to face the Brazilians until the finals. Good luck!
Todd,
What is happening to Emanuel-Ricardo in pool play, injuries? allergy to the cold? self distruct?
Any how, good luck in Norway.
George
Todd, great job in defeating the team from the Netherlands...I have a question...I see that on the women's side, if Boss-Ross win their next match, then they get Branagh-EY....out of all of the other teams in the winners pool, there is NOT another team that will have to match up against their fellow countrymen if they win and get through to the next match...I don't want to hear the words "it's the luck of the draw", but is it that. It appears that USA teams have to play against each other more often than others...your thoughts on the process or bracket setup for international play...Alan Beverly/BHM
Todd, congratulations on your win over the Netherlands...question though..i see where Boss-Ross will have to play Branagh-EY if they win and move on...I may be wrong, but from what I see, no other country will be match against each other except the USA..obviously i want to see all of my AVP teams play for all 3 medals. Can you tell me why this happens so often. Thank you sir...Alan Beverly/BHM
Here is the MOST important thing we need to find out in Norway...Is the German player Klemperer on the team that beat Lambert/Metzger related to one of Hollywoods greatest actors Werner Klemperer aka Col. Wilhelm Klink?
Todd,
How is the Fish? I hear the Salmon is so very tasty? Keep rocking! Same goes for the rest of TEAM USA!
Arsenal12
Man...I knew it wouldn't take too long for the kooks to come out of the wood work and claim there is some sort of conspiracy against the US teams. Give it a rest will you?
Do you even notice when the Brazilians or Germans or Chinese or any other country even play each other? It happens all the time. If there are three or four American teams in a tournament chance are good that they will play each other at some point.
No conspiricy on seedings. Look at the last tournament. If T/P and G/R had each converted 2 more points and beat the Brazilians in Round 3 they would have joined L/M in the semi's and we would have had the potential for an all USA podium with three USA teams in the Semi's. Just like AVP, you pay your dues, get your points and when you are on top you get the best seeds.
Good luck to all in Norway. Any Huckleberries there?
Todd,
Congrats on the sweep in pool play. Wow, they way things are set up their could be an all American Final for both the women and men. TEAM USA has to be excited how about that potential? Still a bummer if you have to meet Stein and Lambo in round 3. Buena Suerte! Bicycle Kick my friend for the winner!
Off the subject of BVB, Todd with London Authorities find 2 car bombs today in London, how has the FIVB stepped up security at the events? These terrorists are now going after soft spots. Spots that have yet to be hit.
Arsenal 12
PS I also wrote the previous blog that started about the sweep in pool play.
WOW!!! Lots in interest in the FIVB tourneys.
Thank you to all who read and respond.
Emanuel and Ricardo had a tough go this weekend. I didn't see them play but I heard they may have taken Norway a little too lightly and Germany is a good team. Can't give you great insight though.
I don't know about conspiracy theory stuff with Americans having to play one another. I would say that if you have several good teams from one country, i.e. USA and Brasil, the likelyhood is that they will play one another in an early round. The pool play into a single elimination draw sucks in my opinion. I am not in favor of pool play as it is a crap shoot once you get to the draw itself.
Don't know about Klemperer but will ask him if I see him.
Security is not tight here as far as police are concerned. As far as getting into VIP areas ect... it is very tight. Not worth it to worry about terrorists. It is more likely that I can trip on the street and break my head then someone is going to bomb an FIVB event. I don't worry about those kind of things out of my control.
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