Just wanted to let everyone know that I will blog several times about experiences, matches, ect... in Beijing. I figure it is worth doing a couple of blogs rather than trying to fit it all into one.
Also, I didn't answer any comments while I was in Beijing but have started doing so now. I have to go back aways and I hope to get all caught up by next week sometime. Hope to see a lot of you over the next several weeks as the AVP hits Cinci, my home town of Santa Barbara, San Fran., Manhattan Beach and Glendale, AZ.
Monday, August 25, 2008
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Todd brought home the Gold
Around 100 people greeted Todd Rogers, Olympic Gold Medalist in Beach Volleyball, at the Santa Barbara Airport.
Photos at: http://www.toddjrogers.com/
(Thanks to Ken Delgado and Fritz Olenberger for the photos.)
Photos at: http://www.toddjrogers.com/
(Thanks to Ken Delgado and Fritz Olenberger for the photos.)
Thursday, August 21, 2008
GOLD !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Todd Rogers and Phil Dalhausser (USA) defeated Marcio Araujo and Fabio Luiz (BRA) in the Beijing Olympics Men's Beach Volleyball Gold Medal Final, 2-1 (23-21, 17-21, 15-4)
Gold Medal Match
22-Aug 11:00 Rogers-Dalhausser USA [2] vs Marcio Araujo-Fabio Luiz BRA [4]
("LIVE" on NBC TV PrimeTime - THURSDAY 11:00PM EDT, 8:00PM PDT - Check your local listings)
("LIVE" on NBC TV PrimeTime - THURSDAY 11:00PM EDT, 8:00PM PDT - Check your local listings)
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
...and on to the Finals
"Today was a good day" to quote a famous rapper. Got up early for our match at 9am vs. Georgia. Felt great in warmups and I really think that translated into the game. Phil was awesome at the service line as well as at the net. I would have to say he set the tone for the match when he came out bombing his jump serve and stuffing down the left sider for Georgia. Once he got hesitant it made my job very easy to run down his shots.
We started off game 1 up 8-1. The only way they got that first point was because I got stuffed after I scooped a ball. We sided out and Phil went on a 7 point run from the service line highlighted by a couple of aces and a bunch of blocks. From there on out it was more a question of what was going to be the final score of the first game. The points just kept coming in bunches and I think the first game score ended up being 21-12.
In the second game we again came out strong with a sideout and then went on a 3 point run. I think we switched sides up 6-1 and just continued to stretch our lead. I think it was 17-8 at one point. We gave up a couple of sloppy points on lazy passes and bad shots but the final score was 21-13 I think.
All in all it was a very solid effort by Phil and I and now we get to play in the Gold medal match vs. Marcio and Fabio.
We started off game 1 up 8-1. The only way they got that first point was because I got stuffed after I scooped a ball. We sided out and Phil went on a 7 point run from the service line highlighted by a couple of aces and a bunch of blocks. From there on out it was more a question of what was going to be the final score of the first game. The points just kept coming in bunches and I think the first game score ended up being 21-12.
In the second game we again came out strong with a sideout and then went on a 3 point run. I think we switched sides up 6-1 and just continued to stretch our lead. I think it was 17-8 at one point. We gave up a couple of sloppy points on lazy passes and bad shots but the final score was 21-13 I think.
All in all it was a very solid effort by Phil and I and now we get to play in the Gold medal match vs. Marcio and Fabio.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Todd & Phil in the Gold Medal Finals !!!
Rogers-Dalhausser USA [2] def. Geor-Gia GEO [15] 2-0 (21-11, 21-13) 0:42
Into the Semis
I have been having trouble finding time to keep everyone up to date. I wanted to blog everyday but it just seems like there is to much to do to get it all done. Also, wanted to let everyone know who is posting that I am reading your post and I appreciate all the support. Have not had the time to post back though but certainly will once the games are over.
Good times the last couple of days. We had that battle against Swizterland and the next day I went to the airport and picked up my wife. Very happy to see her and have her here in support. No kids though. It was a decision that I agonized over for awhile but felt it would be the best call not to have them here. After being here for a couple of days I am glad I made that decision. My kids would not have had a very good time. They would have loved watching me play but they would have been bored out of their minds most of the time. Not to mention that all the venues are a fair distance away from one another and you have to spend about 30 minutes or more in a cab to go to most of the venues. If I actually play for another 4 years and happen to make it to the 2012 games, then I would definetely take them. Long ways away though and I have no desire to even think that far down the road.
On Monday morning we beat the German team of David Klemperer and Eric Koreng. Very athletic team and a couple of very good guys in general. I have the utmost respect for both of them as players and people. Phil played very well. Probably the best he has played so far. I played okay but struggled to pass a bit which made it tough for Phil to set me with consistancy. This of course led to errors, blocks and digs for the Germans. We were fortunate that we won the match in 2 games.
Today we trained in the morning at the site and then Melissa and I did a little shopping at the USA House. They have some great stuff there with the Olympic Logo and USA on them. Winding down the day now. Time to take a steam, have some dinner, and hit the hey for tomorrow's 9am match vs. the Georgian team.
Good times the last couple of days. We had that battle against Swizterland and the next day I went to the airport and picked up my wife. Very happy to see her and have her here in support. No kids though. It was a decision that I agonized over for awhile but felt it would be the best call not to have them here. After being here for a couple of days I am glad I made that decision. My kids would not have had a very good time. They would have loved watching me play but they would have been bored out of their minds most of the time. Not to mention that all the venues are a fair distance away from one another and you have to spend about 30 minutes or more in a cab to go to most of the venues. If I actually play for another 4 years and happen to make it to the 2012 games, then I would definetely take them. Long ways away though and I have no desire to even think that far down the road.
On Monday morning we beat the German team of David Klemperer and Eric Koreng. Very athletic team and a couple of very good guys in general. I have the utmost respect for both of them as players and people. Phil played very well. Probably the best he has played so far. I played okay but struggled to pass a bit which made it tough for Phil to set me with consistancy. This of course led to errors, blocks and digs for the Germans. We were fortunate that we won the match in 2 games.
Today we trained in the morning at the site and then Melissa and I did a little shopping at the USA House. They have some great stuff there with the Olympic Logo and USA on them. Winding down the day now. Time to take a steam, have some dinner, and hit the hey for tomorrow's 9am match vs. the Georgian team.
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Todd & Phil vs Geor-Gia (GEO) - Semi-finals !
Round of 4:
Semi-finals
51 20-Aug 09:00AM Rogers-Dalhausser USA [2] Geor-Gia GEO [15]
= 19-Aug 09:00PM EDT, 6:00PM PDT
52 20-Aug 10:00 Ricardo-Emanuel BRA [3] Marcio Araujo-Fabio Luiz BRA [4]
More details at: http://ToddJRogers.Com/
Semi-finals
51 20-Aug 09:00AM Rogers-Dalhausser USA [2] Geor-Gia GEO [15]
= 19-Aug 09:00PM EDT, 6:00PM PDT
52 20-Aug 10:00 Ricardo-Emanuel BRA [3] Marcio Araujo-Fabio Luiz BRA [4]
More details at: http://ToddJRogers.Com/
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Todd & Phil vs Klemperer-Koreng GER
Round of 8:
18-Aug 10:00 Rogers-Dalhausser USA [2] vs. Klemperer-Koreng GER [8]
10:00PM Sunday EDT, 7:00PM Sunday PDT
More details at: http://ToddJRogers.Com/
18-Aug 10:00 Rogers-Dalhausser USA [2] vs. Klemperer-Koreng GER [8]
10:00PM Sunday EDT, 7:00PM Sunday PDT
More details at: http://ToddJRogers.Com/
Friday, August 15, 2008
Olympic Draw
Well I was totally wrong on how the draw worked! We ended up being the 8th seed and will play Laciga/Schneider from Switzerland. The winner of our match will then play the winner of China and Germany (Klemperer/Koreng).
The Swiss are a dangerous team. They are both former blockers and both have big jump serves especially Martin Laciga. He is not afraid to go for it at any time within a game. They both pass okay and set very well. Martin likes a shoot set to the pin and Jan likes a bit of lob set but not quite out to the pin. They are probably 6'6 and 6'5 respectively.
The last time we played them was in Norway where we beat them in 3. In that game we won easily in the first game. They were trying to bomb their jump serves and missed a lot of serves. In the second game they served me jump float serves and caught me totally off guard. We battled and I actually had a dig and chance for putaway at 20-19 but Jan stuffed me and then proceeded to stuff me 2 more times in a row. In the third we won 15-11 or 12.
Looking forward to playing at 9am tomorrow morning. The women have started us off strong so hopefully us men can continue that trend.
The Swiss are a dangerous team. They are both former blockers and both have big jump serves especially Martin Laciga. He is not afraid to go for it at any time within a game. They both pass okay and set very well. Martin likes a shoot set to the pin and Jan likes a bit of lob set but not quite out to the pin. They are probably 6'6 and 6'5 respectively.
The last time we played them was in Norway where we beat them in 3. In that game we won easily in the first game. They were trying to bomb their jump serves and missed a lot of serves. In the second game they served me jump float serves and caught me totally off guard. We battled and I actually had a dig and chance for putaway at 20-19 but Jan stuffed me and then proceeded to stuff me 2 more times in a row. In the third we won 15-11 or 12.
Looking forward to playing at 9am tomorrow morning. The women have started us off strong so hopefully us men can continue that trend.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Round of 16 : Todd & Phil vs. Laciga/Schnider SUI
16-Aug Sat. 09:00 Rogers-Dalhausser USA [2] vs. Laciga M.-Schnider SUI [20]
(Fri. 9:00PM EDT, 6:00PM PDT)
More details at: http://ToddJRogers.Com/
(Fri. 9:00PM EDT, 6:00PM PDT)
More details at: http://ToddJRogers.Com/
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Rogers-Dalhausser USA [2] vs. Conde-Baracetti ARG [14] - RESULTS
Match just finished...
RESULTS posted to: http://www.ToddJRogers.Com/
Match will be on television tonight during NBC Prime Time Olympic coverage.
RESULTS posted to: http://www.ToddJRogers.Com/
Match will be on television tonight during NBC Prime Time Olympic coverage.
Beijing Update
Been a bit lax in blogging and I apologize for that. Things have been up and down here for those of you that have not been following the progress of Phil and I. Lots of stuff to talk about but I will stick to the 2 matches we have played so far as well as the one we play tomorrow morning. You can also check out www.volleyballtribe.com which is a website that myself and some friends have been working on. I will put some stuff on a blog there as well.
In our first game on Saturday night we lost to the Latvians in 2 games. 21-19 and 21-18. I give them credit as I felt they played a solid game. Our game was very poor however. Our serving and block defense were atrocious. I think I dug 2 balls and Phil blocked 2 balls. Not sure on those numbers but it was how I remember it. Phil was like a tree getting chopped away on by a lumber jack. The right side guy must have chiselled off of him a dozen times or so. Then if the ball did get by him I would shank it into the stands. Our sideout game was average at best. All in all it was a terrible game for us. Felt like we were in a bit of a fog. The silver lining in the game was that we lost by 2 and 3 points respectively and we felt we played poor and they played well.
In our second match on Monday night we played the number 1 Swiss team. We played well pretty much the whole game and I think gave up a total of 4 real points on 2 aces, a chuck set, and I got scooped on a cut shot. The scores were 15 and 10 I think. Totally different Phil at the net. He shut down the right sider for Switzerland in a big way and when the ball actually got past him, which was not very often, I gobbled up most of them. It was nice to play at the level we know we can play at. We both served well and sided out well too.
Tomorrow morning at 9am we play the team from Argentina. Big game as the winner of the game will for sure move on. The loser will have to wait to see what happens in the other matchup in our pool to see if they move on. I look at it as the start of single elimination for Phil and I. If we win we are definetely out of pool play and there is still a chance that we could win our pool and keep our seed. We just have to take care of our business first though.
In our first game on Saturday night we lost to the Latvians in 2 games. 21-19 and 21-18. I give them credit as I felt they played a solid game. Our game was very poor however. Our serving and block defense were atrocious. I think I dug 2 balls and Phil blocked 2 balls. Not sure on those numbers but it was how I remember it. Phil was like a tree getting chopped away on by a lumber jack. The right side guy must have chiselled off of him a dozen times or so. Then if the ball did get by him I would shank it into the stands. Our sideout game was average at best. All in all it was a terrible game for us. Felt like we were in a bit of a fog. The silver lining in the game was that we lost by 2 and 3 points respectively and we felt we played poor and they played well.
In our second match on Monday night we played the number 1 Swiss team. We played well pretty much the whole game and I think gave up a total of 4 real points on 2 aces, a chuck set, and I got scooped on a cut shot. The scores were 15 and 10 I think. Totally different Phil at the net. He shut down the right sider for Switzerland in a big way and when the ball actually got past him, which was not very often, I gobbled up most of them. It was nice to play at the level we know we can play at. We both served well and sided out well too.
Tomorrow morning at 9am we play the team from Argentina. Big game as the winner of the game will for sure move on. The loser will have to wait to see what happens in the other matchup in our pool to see if they move on. I look at it as the start of single elimination for Phil and I. If we win we are definetely out of pool play and there is still a chance that we could win our pool and keep our seed. We just have to take care of our business first though.
Saturday, August 9, 2008
A Visit From President George W. Bush
During an American training session Saturday at Chaoyang Park Beach Volleyball Ground, U.S. President George W. Bush (center) with players Todd Rogers (left) and Phil DalhausserYou can find Photos, Match scores, Pool Standings, and Upcoming Matches via Todd's web page: http://www.ToddJRogers.Com/
Friday, August 8, 2008
Beijing II
WOW!!!! What an opening cermonies. Really glad I walked. It is a pretty overwhelming experience when you walk down the tunnel and come out into the massive stadium with 100,000 people or so cheering. Great to see a bunch of American flags throughout the stadium. Swells you with pride.
The entire American delegation was also treated with meeting President Bush, the first lady and former President Bush. Right before we walked we went into a private hall and the President gave a short speech and then took his picture with every team. He spent a lot of time with each team which was really cool. Becoming old hat to hang with the President. :)
Have our first game today against Latvia. Not sure what exactly to expect. Figure I will just treat it like any other match and go from there. If anything, I am trying not to get to excited and be too jacked up for the match. I tend to play ohhh not so good when I get too jacked up. Start hitting balls out and stuff trying to crush everything. As you can tell though, I am excited and ready to go after a 2 week hiatus from playing. Will update you tomorrow on how it went.
The entire American delegation was also treated with meeting President Bush, the first lady and former President Bush. Right before we walked we went into a private hall and the President gave a short speech and then took his picture with every team. He spent a lot of time with each team which was really cool. Becoming old hat to hang with the President. :)
Have our first game today against Latvia. Not sure what exactly to expect. Figure I will just treat it like any other match and go from there. If anything, I am trying not to get to excited and be too jacked up for the match. I tend to play ohhh not so good when I get too jacked up. Start hitting balls out and stuff trying to crush everything. As you can tell though, I am excited and ready to go after a 2 week hiatus from playing. Will update you tomorrow on how it went.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Beijing
Got into Beijing last night with Phil. Kind of amazing as there were almost no cars on any of the roads. They have literally taken the vast majority of cars off of the road to clean out the pollution. Doubt that would ever happen in LA.
Spent our first night here in the Olympic Village and today we are moving to the Hilton which is close to the venue. This morning we went to the venue and hit the ball around. Nothing major. Just pass, set, serve kind of thing. Whenever I fly on a long flight my joints protest big time the next day. The nice thing is the humidity warms you up and gets you sweating really quick. Was good to touch the ball at the venue.
The Venue itself is very nice. Center court looks very cool and I can't wait until it is packed with people and we are playing. Should be very exciting. They have about 7 or 8 courts all around center court for players to practice on.
The air here is difficult to clarify. In that I mean that it looks really bad but the humidity makes it seem much worse than it actually is. The humidity is almost like fog. I will say this, today the sun looked like the moon through the fog, smog, haze or whatever. Pretty trippy.
Going to go hit the gym now. Just had lunch at the BNU which is the american headquarters. Very nice and the food was top notch. The gym is supposed to be very nice here as well. About 55 hours and counting until our first match!
Spent our first night here in the Olympic Village and today we are moving to the Hilton which is close to the venue. This morning we went to the venue and hit the ball around. Nothing major. Just pass, set, serve kind of thing. Whenever I fly on a long flight my joints protest big time the next day. The nice thing is the humidity warms you up and gets you sweating really quick. Was good to touch the ball at the venue.
The Venue itself is very nice. Center court looks very cool and I can't wait until it is packed with people and we are playing. Should be very exciting. They have about 7 or 8 courts all around center court for players to practice on.
The air here is difficult to clarify. In that I mean that it looks really bad but the humidity makes it seem much worse than it actually is. The humidity is almost like fog. I will say this, today the sun looked like the moon through the fog, smog, haze or whatever. Pretty trippy.
Going to go hit the gym now. Just had lunch at the BNU which is the american headquarters. Very nice and the food was top notch. The gym is supposed to be very nice here as well. About 55 hours and counting until our first match!
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Olympic Pool
Our pool, as all the pools are on the men's side is pretty solid. I would say that no one has an easy pool. Some are easier than others but that is how it should be based upon how you are seeded.
In our pool we have Swiss #1, Argentina and Latvia. We play Latvia first on Saturday night. We have played them only once before and that was in Brasil last year. It was very windy in that match and they played really poorly. They have gotten a ton better and gave Matt and Casey all they could handle in Paris. They are young guys around 23 or so. They are really fiery as you might expect. They are not very big. The blocker is probably 6'4 and the defender is around 6'1. They both jump well though and I expect a much tougher match against them than what we had in Brasil last year.
In our next match we play Argentina at 9pm Monday night. This will be a bit weird since Phil and I have not played them since I think 2006 in Austria. We beat them there. This year Martine Conde has been injured and only played in Marseille and Switzerland and then sat out Austria while Baracetti played with Salema. They are a very crafty team with great shots and use the whole court. Martine is a silly good defender. I expect them to be at 100% and going all out like we will be.
In our last match we play Heuscher/Heyer at 9am on Wend. morning. We have played them in Australia, Italy, Paris?, and Russia. We have won all the games. They can serve tough and get us in trouble. They can both block as Heyer is 6'8 and Heuscher is 6'5 with hops. They play very up and down defense. Sometimes they are on and sometimes they are not. Obviously I hope they are off against us.
Should be a fun pool and am looking forward to competing against those guys.
In our pool we have Swiss #1, Argentina and Latvia. We play Latvia first on Saturday night. We have played them only once before and that was in Brasil last year. It was very windy in that match and they played really poorly. They have gotten a ton better and gave Matt and Casey all they could handle in Paris. They are young guys around 23 or so. They are really fiery as you might expect. They are not very big. The blocker is probably 6'4 and the defender is around 6'1. They both jump well though and I expect a much tougher match against them than what we had in Brasil last year.
In our next match we play Argentina at 9pm Monday night. This will be a bit weird since Phil and I have not played them since I think 2006 in Austria. We beat them there. This year Martine Conde has been injured and only played in Marseille and Switzerland and then sat out Austria while Baracetti played with Salema. They are a very crafty team with great shots and use the whole court. Martine is a silly good defender. I expect them to be at 100% and going all out like we will be.
In our last match we play Heuscher/Heyer at 9am on Wend. morning. We have played them in Australia, Italy, Paris?, and Russia. We have won all the games. They can serve tough and get us in trouble. They can both block as Heyer is 6'8 and Heuscher is 6'5 with hops. They play very up and down defense. Sometimes they are on and sometimes they are not. Obviously I hope they are off against us.
Should be a fun pool and am looking forward to competing against those guys.
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