For some, it is coming down to the wire

Watch for some good games coming this week and potentially on into Marseille in 2 weeks. As always you have all the teams vying for the last spots to get into the Olympics. For them, Russia and Marseille are huge as they are all dropping small point tourneys and can improve drastically in either event.

On the men's side you have 5 teams within 180 points of each other vying for the last 3 spots. They are in order of highest points: Italy 1, Latvia, China 2, Canada, and Japan. Canada is not here in Russia and only Italy 1 is in the main draw. The other 3 teams have to qualify first. Right now Japan is outside looking in but with a 17th place finish they will jump into a tie with China 2. Italy 1 is looking solid and would need some crazy stuff to happen for them not to be in. Latvia looks solid as well. You never know though. I think one of those last 3 teams needs a 9th to clinch it here. I will be looking forward to seeing how they are all doing as the tourney progresses. There are a few other teams that with a 5th could jump in the mix but it is unlikely.

The high level battles are very interesting as well. On the men's side you have Brasil battling it out for the 2nd spot. Marcio and Fabio can clinch it with a 4th here in Russia if Harley/Pedro take a 5th or worse. They are both dropping a 480 so can only improve if they get to the semis. On the German side you have Julius and Christoph in with David and Eric looking very solid. But, if Jonas and Urbatzka can get to the finals again it could make it very interesting coming into Marseille. They are 410 points behind but are playing very well right now. David and Eric need a 5th to improve. We shall see.

On the women's side the battle to get in is with roughly 5 teams. From top to bottom they are Switzerland, Japan, Georgia, Mexico and France. They are all split by 150 points and all dropping anywhere from 80 points to 160 points. Mexico is currently out at #25 right now but they are dropping 80 points and if they can get out of their pool they will move ahead of all 3 of the teams that are ahead of them. Plus they are playing pretty good ball right now. France needs a 9th to move up into the Olympics. Again, should be entertaining to watch and see what happens.

The higher level battles are taking place with 3 countries: USA, Brasil and Germany. The USA stuff has been really interesting over the past 3 weeks. Rachel and Tyra hurt themselves badly in Germany but came back strong in Paris to make it interesting. Now though they need to win here in Russia to keep their hopes alive. Same thing for Matt and Casey actually so both teams are not looking great to make it to the Olympics. Both teams do have the talent to win though but would need all the other teams from the USA to do poorly. The real battle with USA is with Boss/Ross and EY/Nicole. Boss/Ross are 80 points behind and with only a 5th and a 5th by Ey/Nicole they would pass them. Boss/Ross are dropping 360 points where as EY/Nicole are dropping 480. The Brasilian team of Shelda/Ana Paula have a shot but need good tourneys in both Russia and Marseille. I think they need about a 2nd or 3rd here in Russia and then a similar finish in Marseille to make it happen. That is of course without Renata/Talita improving their position. Shelda/Ana Paula are certainly good enough to get those finishes but they need help if Renata/Talita are to finish poorly in both of those tourneys. Lastly are the Germans. Goller/Ludwig are in a very solid position and would have to do poorly and have the other teams make the finals to put them in a bad position. Okka/Stephie are in the drivers seat over Brink-Abeler/Jurich. They are ahead by 370 points and both are dropping 300 point finishes. If Okka/Stephie take a 9th or worse then Brink-Abeler/Jurich could make up some serious ground by getting into the semis. Lot of work to be done there though.

So that is it in a nutshell. This weekend should clear up a lot of Olympic spots and it makes the tourneys more interesting. Kind of like playing fantasy football. Even the most boring game can be entertaining if you have a guy on that team on your fantasy team.