2008 Olympic Gold Medalists

2008 Olympic Gold Medalists
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Saturday, March 29, 2008

Bronze in Australia

Very windy bronze medal match in Australia today. Phil and I were fortunate to win the game. The first game was kind of a comedy of errors. We had a lot in the beginning and Jake and Rosy had a lot in the end. In the second we had all the errors and they had all the answers. The third game was 3-2 with us up and then we switched 7-3. We kept at least a 2 point lead through the game and won 15-11.

I have said it before and will say it again. It is tough to play in a bronze medal match out here. Phil and I used it to experiment with some different things. We both felt pretty banged up having played the maximum amount of games (9).

The wind was also a major factor as it was gusting. Phil and I were setting each other little baby sets to keep the wind out of play as much as we could. From the good side you could pretty much hit your jump serve as hard as you wanted and it would go in. You just had to get it over the net. Phil actually jump floated the whole match. I was jump serving from the good side and floating from the bad side.

Olympic wise we are looking almost like a lock. I wouldn't say that we are yet, but it is very very close. Jake and Rosy have thrown the first punch in the battle between them and Mike and Stein. Granted the latter team was not here but by virtue of Jake and Rosy finish, they have put themselves just under 1000 points ahead of Stein and Mike and really the pressure is now on Stein and Mike to perform at almost all the FIVB events they play in. They can afford a few bad ones but only if Jake and Rosy have a few bad ones too. Should be interesting.

10 comments:

UmassJSP said...

Congrats on getting up on the stand in the Opener. Bring home a medal and some cash and like you say a great standing in the Olympic chase. What would you say is the rivalry level between the US teams and the Brazilian teams? Is it on the level of UCLA vs USC or Sox vs Yankees or is it not that great? Is there trash talk in these events....I notice one team from Europe is dubbed the American Killers. Maybe the sport could use a good on court brawl between nations to up the interest level going into the Olympics. That fomula has worked somewhat for the NHL for many years. Have a safe trip back...Scott from Cape Cod

Anonymous said...

Kudso to you and Phil. The conditions were rough - sounds like even worse than Boston last year. And you two have a bid for the US team sealed, IMO.
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And what happened to the Russian bazooka guy - it appears they had a rough tournament.
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Enjoy Miami, and good luck there.

-Steve

Anonymous said...

Good tourney. Looks liked some of your experience paid off in steering a course for you and Phil through the loser's bracket.

Safe travels

Jeff

Anonymous said...

Todd,

I am thinking the rivalry between Brazil and the USA is more similar to the Russia vs USA rivalry back in the day. What about the Chinese, especially on the women's side? I would say they don't like the USA except for our democratic businesses that have opened shop in China.

Arsenal 12

Anonymous said...

The Chinese was from me, Arsenal

Richard Brill said...

Hi TJ, Your Website seems to be down--Richard
Heres a pic from Coney Island 2007
--Richard Brill
http://my-best-shot.blogspot.com/2007/09/todd-rogers-and-phil-dalhausser-secured.html

UmassJSP said...

I just checked the 2008 Official schedule....no tournament in Boston. Guy from AVP forum said they couldnt get a Boston sponsor. That bites. If I hit the Mega Millions I will be the ULTIMATE BVB stadium on Cape Cod and have a great tourney. DAMN!!! Scott from Cape Cod

Todd Rogers said...

Scott - It just isn't that intense to compare it to UCLA vs. USC or SOX vs. YANKEES. Pedro and Harley are two of the nicest guys you could meet. Tough to hate them when they are so nice. The "American Killers" are super cool as well. The big left sider is the only top volleyball player in the world who ways less than Phil.

Steve- I would say Phil and I are 99% locked at this point. Russians didn't look in very good shape to be honest with you. I think the right sider was nursing an injury as well. The Bazooka still has the armswing blessed by God.

Jeff- Thanks. Not sure about the experience but Phil and I just kept the nose to the grind stone.

Arsenal - The chinese men are really nice guys. Particularly "Tiny" the thin left side guy who flies out of the gym. Guy has learned 4 language in less than 4 years. One of the nicest guys on tour. On the women's side I just noticed the chinese stay together and really don't associate much with anyone else.

Richard - Think it is back up.

Scott - Bosox are to big to run an AVP event I guess.

Todd

Anonymous said...

todd, good luck to you and phil in this weekends upcoming avp matches in Miami. since avp website is absolutely awful right now, can you provide info on any/all NEW mens/womens teams for this year? I see where most venues are only 3 days this year instead of 4...maybe this will help you guys with fivb travels...again, good luck and i will see you in a couple of weeks in charleston..alan beverly/birmingham,al

Anonymous said...

Todd,

Thanks for taking the time to not only post, but to answer questions. We appreciate it.

Steve