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Super League Timeout - Special Edition: Final 4 Preview
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It’s the ultimate volleyball showdown! In this special edition Timeout episode, I'm joined by fellow Volleyball England commentator and Super League fanatic Michael Hanson-Morris as we preview the much-anticipated Final 4 Weekend of the Dynamik Men’s Super League and Maaree Women’s Super League, taking place 5–6 April at Crystal Palace.
We dive into the drama of the regular season, break down the semi-final matchups, and make our bold predictions for who’s making the finals. Expect plenty of volleyball geekery as Michael brings the stats, insight, and passion you’d expect from someone who’s followed the league all season long and been right there on the mic for Super League Live.
🔥 Will Essex Rebels Men go better than last year’s 4th place finish?
🔥 Can Malory Eagles (men and women) bring the title home for the first time in years?
🔥 Is a shock result on the cards?
We also highlight the two massive semi-final matchups that are 1-1 in the regular season:
- Essex Rebels vs. SideOut Polonia (Women)
- London Giants vs. Malory Eagles (Men)
🎟️ Tickets are still available via the Volleyball England website – don’t miss out on the biggest weekend in English volleyball!
📺 Can’t make it? Catch all the action on the Volleyball England YouTube livestream.
Connecting Through Conversation
That. That Volleyball Guy. Hello, I'm Luke Wiltshire, the host of that Volleyball Guy, and if you love volleyball as much as me, then you're in the right place. That Volleyball Guy Hello, and welcome to a special edition of that Volleyball Guy, the Super League show time out in partnership with Volleyball England for this special preview episode of the upcoming Final Four weekend of both the Māori Women's Super League and the Dynamic Men's Super League. Final Four weekend, then, taking place on the 5th and 6th of April at Crystal Palace, and I am really pleased to be joined on this special edition episode where we're going to preview those semi-finals.
Speaker 2:For you to be joined on the show for this special edition by my fellow colleague part of the Volleyball England commentary team. It's Michael Hanson-Morris. Michael, welcome, thank you very much for having me on, luke. We've had the pleasure of working together on well, what have we done? Uh, cup finals last year, opening weekend, five nations um, it's always a pleasure to sit down with you and talk volleyball, so thank you ever so much for giving me giving up some of your time no worries.
Speaker 1:I mean it's a perfect launch into what's going to be a very busy april with, obviously, the cup finals, but obviously we start off with the final fours back in london, which is, uh, going to be a showpiece event and for those of you listening at home, you may be thinking I recognize that voice.
Speaker 2:Yet Michael is, uh, one of the lead commentators for Volleyball England as part of the commentary team and, uh, I must say, a very, very, very good commentator. Love working with you, michael. Um, I'm absolutely gutted that I won't be there. I'm frustrated, I'm annoyed because I'm so gutted, um, because it's going to be an epic weekend of volleyball, but I know you're going to be there, michael, so hence asking you on the show to give us some of your thoughts yeah, no, I say it's um.
Speaker 1:I think the excitement's kind of building, obviously the week of the finals obviously, obviously I think as well it's obviously going to be odd not being in Kettering. I think it feels like it's kind of our second home, me and you especially on the comms team, along with Jess and the others we've got joining us. But I think the way the draws worked out as well, having it in Crystal Palace, it's quite a southern heavy group of finalists as well.
Speaker 2:So everything I've heard about ticket sales is it's going really well, so it should be a should be a bumper weekend, awesome, thank you. And, on that note, it's not too late, can you know? Head over to the volleyball england website to get your hands on some uh tickets for the super league final four weekend. If you're not able to make it, then you get the, the lovely, the lovely opportunity to listen and watch the live stream where you'll hear Michael and, like Michael said, the rest of the commentary team, who do a marvelous job, um commentating on these matches. So, yeah, if you're not able to make it, but I would highly recommend, get yourself down there. It is a great venue, crystal Palace, pretty iconic for British volleyball, so you're definitely in for a treat.
Speaker 2:Now, before we dive into the conversation, something you need to know about Michael that we haven't really prepped for is this man knows his stuff, everyone okay. He preps like I've never seen before. He's got stats and, to be honest, I'd be absolutely lost on the commentary team if he wasn't around, because he is the one who stats prepsps, looks at all the information, he knows a lot about all the teams and the players. So I'm really, really looking forward to having a chat with you, michael, about your thoughts as we head into this Final Four weekend. So we're going to start with the Maori Women's Super League then. So before we dive into looking at the two semifinals, let's just have a quick chat about the season overall. So, michael, what are your thoughts on the regular season?
Speaker 1:then I think it was a really interesting one on the women's side. Obviously a lot of teams suffered some adversity moments with injuries, illnesses, and it kind of made it really dynamic. It felt like early on, if you probably looked, the top four were set pretty early with the way Lionhearts came out. I know we'll talk about more, but Leeds made it a really impactful end of the season. They got on a real, real good run. Obviously now they lost in the Cup semi-final as well. Last week they were playing some really good volleyball but they couldn't quite squeeze over the line. But I think the the relegation race as well was impactful.
Speaker 1:It had some twists and turns and Dark Star Derbyshire in particular, um, had a really good end to season. I think if you said two months ago, uh, kind of as you started this show, it's like they're probably dead and buried, um, and they had a terrific end to the season. Obviously didn't quite get what they wanted, which is a definite place in Super League for next year, but they've got that opportunity again. But I think it was a really maybe not as top heavy in terms of overall talent, but probably one of the deeper Super League seasons and it made for some really interesting action.
Speaker 2:Yeah, absolutely your point. Exactly that it was competitive, lots of good matches, lots of three twos in the league as well and makes for an exciting, exciting Final Four. Also worth noting, right that you know, due to the restructure and looking at Super League next year, that three teams going down. The teams knew that at the start of the season, right? So it's, yeah, interesting, three teams going down. So this year Wessex, the new team to the league, will be relegated. Cambridge and University of Nottingham, the three women's teams that will be relegated. Cambridge and University of Nottingham, the three women's teams that will be relegated. So, michael, putting you on the spot, what team do you think would be maybe slightly disappointed with their season and where they finished in the league?
Speaker 1:do you think, from your experience, I mean, I think you've got to look at Cambridge. Obviously it's easy to pick out relegation sides, but I think that the moment that swung the season was the first week of March when they had Wessex and they lost the game. Obviously Wessex, first win of the season, huge win for Wessex. But if you look at that, those two points arguably might keep Cambridge in the league. That would have tied them. If everything had gone how it finished the season, that everything had gone how it finished the season, that would have tied in with Dark Star.
Speaker 1:I'm not quite sure how the tie-break would have worked, but then it would have put a bunch of pressure on that Durham game against Leeds as well on the last week, last week of the season, for Durham potentially to avoid that automatic relegation. So I think Cambridge will have some regret, obviously had a couple of injuries down the stretch as well which really hurt them. They forfeited the game in Durham due to injuries. They traveled with seven and I think one of the outsides came down after like 10 points and they didn't get to play that game. So if you look at two sides separated by four points in the standings, when you have to forfeit a game 3-0, you've got a bunch of disappointment and regret on that season Absolutely.
Speaker 2:I think your point's really valid about depth of the Cambridge team. I remember we discussed that right back at the start of opening weekend. Noticeably, I think they only had a squad of about nine then for opening weekend and we both made comment on they're going to need to strengthen their depth in their squad if they want to compete at this level. So, you know, play some really good volleyball. Unfortunately, injuries and, like you say, some of the depth, they will be relegated next season. So on the flip side of that then, sir, which team do you think would be quite satisfied and quite happy with their overall league standing position? This?
Speaker 1:season. I mean the obvious one is London Lighthouse. Right, you're in a position and again we've managed to speak to the coaches as a VE staff in the build-up to Final Four, so I've got a little bit more insight. But this is a team that 12 months ago was in the relegation playoff. So obviously that first year of Super League we know how hard it is to make the jump and maintain a league position and that was kind of our target for year one just ensure that you're in the Super League the year after. And then they've made a giant stride into the Final Four and they've got a chance and they're really deserving. They've had a really strong season. They've not necessarily done it with what stands out as a massively talented roster, but they've got contributions from everyone and that's really really led to success and they've managed to have a balanced seven or eight. That's really kind of, given that core stability.
Speaker 2:Yeah, no good point. And again, going back to opening weekend, I remember we sort of I'm pretty sure you'll know this because of your analytical brain they lost their opening weekend match. I'm, I think, to cambridge right, um, and we both sort of looked at each other and thought, I think they're going to be all right, and, speaking to their coach, that he wasn't, he wasn't concerned at all. He was actually quite the opposite, saying new bunch of athletes, they need to get to know each other a little bit. We need time to gel. We haven't trained much and, like you said, they uh, they went on to have a very successful season. So let's look forward then to the final four weekend and look at the two semi-finals we've got.
Speaker 2:So so up first will be Mallory versus Lionheart. So Mallory finishing the regular season in the first position, winning 17 out of their 18 games, their only loss being to side out. And, like you say, lionheart, go into this in fourth place. So first team plays fourth. But go into this in fourth place, so first team plays fourth. Interestingly, you know, as the regular season, mallory have won both of the games, going into this Early on in the season, winning 3-2. And then later on in the season, winning 3-0 against the fellow London-based team. So, michael, talk to me about that game. What are your thoughts? What should the crowd look out for? Talk us through that game, what, what, what? Your thoughts, what, what's, what should, uh, the crowd look out for?
Speaker 1:talk us through that game yeah, I think I think on paper it's, it could probably come over relatively simple tasks for mallory. They've again they were difficult to leave out of talking about team team of the year and obviously them finally winning the league for the first time in a while doesn't quite mean as much now we've got playoffs, but that's, that's the important thing for that team. And well, that one loss on the season I know they were disappointed, they got blown off the floor by side out, um. So I think they're really kind of feeling in a lot of form, a lot of confidence. But there's that kind of added pressure for Mallory that now we've got to finish the job, um, so they've got to make sure they've got a, they've got experience and that's the thing.
Speaker 1:This core group been together Chloe Allen, selena Batiste, ari Sierra, jojo Cruz like this group have played together for a lot of time, so they've kind of been in this high pressured scenario. Obviously they came through a five set last year to win bronze after a semi-final. That I know shook a lot of the group up, not quite closing that one out. And I think Mallory, on paper, have just got depth and they've got the ability, if things go wrong, to really change the game with the bench and they've got such a versatile system, the one true team in the league. In theory, they can run three setters on the court and not lose a lot. Obviously, scalina's really slid from setting at the start of the year to playing outside and they've got the ability with Claire Kellum to kind kind of run a 2-6, 1-5 system. Really, whatever, whatever's cooking in Jeff and Carol's brains and I think we both know that could be a lot of things um, and that kind of hybrid system and obviously then adding George McGovern in January was a huge piece um, and that's just given them so much versatility in the style of playing the offense that it's really difficult for teams to match up with them.
Speaker 1:Um, at the moment. Um, and I think that that's the key for mallory and for line hearts. It's. It's about who can step up. We know what mash is going to do. Like, if you look at mash's raw numbers this season, it's it's crazy. It's 760 swings, it's nearly 300 kills. It's 225 digs, it's 500 service receptions. Her numbers are incredible. But who is that other person to really step up and get the ball onto the floor, because that's really where this Lionhearts team have struggled is trying to find another real contribution, especially from the outside opposite position, and to beat Mallory in the defence they've got that's what Lionhearts are going to have to do. So it'll be interesting in a one-off game and that's what it is who can potentially be an X factor that we don't expect? That might swing this game.
Speaker 2:Yeah, you're right. Obviously Mallory do go into the game as favourites, but it's been the league in the first position. But, like you mentioned, it's a one-off match. Anything can happen. In front of a good crowd, different venue, no sort of home advantage for either of these teams, obviously for Mallory as well. Michael Grace Lazard, you know, best attacker of the season or one of the best attackers of the season, the Maori Women's Super League. So how do Lionheart stop that? How do they sort of figure out that, do you think?
Speaker 1:I mean, I think the big thing is they should, in theory, get Mallory Porchere back. She's been abroad for a lot of February, march with Super Bowl commitments and some of the other stuff she does, and she's top of the blocking charts as well. She's a terrific individual defender. So if you can get Mallory matched up with Grace on rotation, that will be a really, really interesting battle to watch. And I think that that's kind of where it starts, because, yeah, grace is playing phenomenal the semi-final on Sunday. Then it's Dark Star.
Speaker 1:I mean, some of the swings were some of the best swings we've seen all year and real, real catching with venom. And it almost felt like you felt sorry for the derby back, though you just wait, almost waiting for someone to catch one in the head. But but Grace has really grown and it's the first year back in what is her natural position. It's kind of shown that now she's got some reps, she's feeling really comfortable and ultimately, if malory to win the whole thing. If we're looking big picture, it's going to be a lot about how grace plays along with chloe and georgia this week yeah, and I think from a coaching perspective, as a coach myself, it will.
Speaker 2:It will come down to service, service strength for Lionhearts. You know, if they can serve well and serve aggressively and try and take out that middle offense of the Mallory team, then they may have some joy, but a really, really good game lined up for you in the first semi-final then. So moving on to the second semi-final, the big one, I think, because two very, very tight teams side out versus side up. You're taking on Essex Rebels and this is this is the one, because it's one all in the regular season, right and side out, winning earlier on the season 3-2, and then Rebels winning 3-2 later in the season. So it's one all.
Speaker 1:All could go either way, michael, your thoughts um, you know I'm going to correct you when you make mistakes, luke, sorry, but it was 3-0 side out in the start of the season and it was quick, apologies, it was one of.
Speaker 1:It was one of side outs best performances um the two games against Essex and Mallory. They played just either side of Christmas. They blew both teams off the floor, um, and that was really impressive. But yeah, obviously Essex took the win. What three weeks ago now? And that cost side out the league title. Um side out needed to win it. And Essex winning it in the fifth set gave Mallory the chance to clinch the league. So it's definitely, uh definitely, going to be a fun one. That and that and that game. Three weeks ago it was. It was on international women's day and it was. It was a perfect example of what women's volleyball is in this country. Now it was back and forth um Essex in the fourth set blew side out the water. I mean it was 25, 11, I think, off memory, um, I will need double fat checking on that. And then, obviously, the fifth went down, essex winning 17-15. And it was a.
Speaker 1:I think it's a big psychological win for Essex and I think that's the real factor is the psychology at play, because it's an Essex team that have always been in around the top four but they've always struggled to beat the top two teams. They've always kind of been that third, fourth place team that can't quite get over the hurdle and winning one before going to Final Four plus the Bucks final. I think it's going to give that group a lot of confidence to go in and say, ok, we can play with you. If we play to our best we can win the game. And I think the job Alex has done there is really good. But I think the interesting thing is both teams were missing big players in that game. So there was no Julia Haney for Essex, there was no Carla Mulley for side out. So now you're adding two leaf through offensive weapons in different positions and how that swings the balance of the game is going to be a real interesting thing for that progression of the game. Interesting thing for that progression of the game.
Speaker 1:However, I think potentially side out lost a big piece in the cup final on Sunday. One of the middles, valeria Busquets, went down with what I'm going to guess was a pretty serious knee injury. Looking at the reaction and I think side out losing her normally would cause panic, panic bells. But they've done such a good job, mark Chris and the rest of the coaching staff. They've done so well dealing with adversity all season. You look at the amount of games. Carla Mulley's missed six games. I think Merv's the only one that's played 18. Out of 18, I think Alice Jagielsa's played 13 or 14. Yulia Tokarenko's played 13 or 14. And you'd think any given year, if you're pulling out two free starters out of games, that this would be a team that struggled. And yet Side Out were right there for the league. So I think the depth of Side Out's going to really test this Essex team and I think it's going to be a fascinating semi-final. I think Side Out will win, but if Essex win, don't call me surprised.
Speaker 2:I think I think it's got the earmarks of a five setter. Well, yeah, you're absolutely right. Um, just commenting on your point around Sider, obviously having Mark at their coach on the uh on the show, uh, a couple of weeks, whenever it was now um talking about the game in question, they, I think he was missing five or six of his outside players and ended up using different people and, you know, still having depth, he had people out due to injuries and sickness and things like that. So I think your point is really valid around the depth that Seidel have. But, yeah, I completely agree with you.
Speaker 2:I did warn you everyone that Michael is the stat man and I knew he was going to correct me as soon as I got that bit wrong. Is the stat man and I knew he was going to correct me as soon as I got that bit wrong. Um, but, uh, yes, I think the game yeah, obviously second v, third is going to be the game that you know on paper should be the closer game. So, um, but like we said, anything can happen. So, two, two huge semi-finals. So, michael, I'm putting you on the spot then. So, semi-finals predictions for both the semi-finals and then the final, tell me I'm just.
Speaker 1:I mean, I think, um, if you go on it on paper, um, obviously you probably take mallory to beat lion hearts. I've just said I think side out or edge essex, but that could be anything. But I think when I look at it bigger picture and look at some of the potential matchups um come Sunday as well, I think side out of favorites um to win it all just because of depth. And I think yeah, you talked about it I think the person that's maybe gone under the radar with side out is how well Merv has set this year, because she's had a consistent change in who she's setting to and the fact that that offense has still been able to consistently find success, no matter who's in what position. I'm pretty sure that Casey Bell played one game outside and she's been a middle of her whole career and the way Mark's chops and changing they found success.
Speaker 1:I think that strength in depth will just edge it. But again, I really think on the women's side it's, and again I'm going to say it, on the men's side. So I think it's any of the three teams really will feel like they can come in and win two games in two days and come away with it and that's what makes it so fascinating from a from a prep standpoint is both all these teams are going to know each other's strengths and weaknesses and it's all about, realistically, who performs on the day. And we've got three really, really talented teams and then the dark horse in Lionhearts that have shown they can take every team in the Super League to five sets. So, yeah, it's going to be interesting, but yeah, for me, side out, going in at least, are favourites.
Speaker 2:Awesome, thank you. Thank you. Right, let's move on to the dynamic men's Super League then. So again, what to say? Another great season. I mean, I've been involved in volleyball in this country for the last 15 years and it's so refreshing and nice to see different teams and you know competitive teams Because for a while you know it's been the same the same names at the top of the table and this year, notably the two finalists from last year not making it to the Final Four. We'll talk about that later, but again for you, michael. Thoughts on the regular season from a men's perspective.
Speaker 1:Carnage that's the one word for the dynamic men's Super League side. It was like you looked at the start of March and I was chatting with I know I went back and forth with you on messages, talking to a couple of people at practices and games we were at and everyone was like there's about six teams that could go down, there's about six teams that could make Final Four and it felt like March became super pivotal. And again a couple of injuries, probably Rob Nosting with a chance to be there losing Griffin at the time they did, which was really unfortunate. You look at Essex Blaze having a great opportunity and then losing twice to Stockport and again it was just battle for battle.
Speaker 1:And I think my regret is how much the roster changed late in the season. It made it and making final four preps for a couple of the teams, especially London Giants, it's like a whole different team than what I saw in November and I think that's a really fascinating thing that some of these teams have really retooled. But I also think it's a huge compliment to the league that so many teams made additions to try and stay in the league and I think that's a huge thing going forward, that suddenly the weight of how important being in the Super League is and I think if teams are going to continue to do that, I would personally sorry Rob like to see the signing deadline brought forward a month or so and have it at the end of January so teams aren't just stocking up for three or four games at the back end of the year.
Speaker 2:But I think the weight of the fact the importance of teams want to put on staying in Super League is kind of shown how and where the sport's going. Yeah, yeah, really good points, really good points. And you're right, like testament to the league and the the development of the Super League over the years, especially that's a couple of years where it is definitely up, you know, stepped up a gear and the the standard is is you know it's good, good volleyball, you know you're going to be. If you get yourself down to Crystal Palace for both the Maori Women's Super League and the Men's Super League, then you're going to see some fantastic volleyball. So, michael, same question to you Team that are going to be disappointed with their overall season. I think it's probably pretty obvious.
Speaker 1:Yeah, of course it's IBV Polonia. Of course it's. It's going to be a big shock for them, not, um, not well, I mean it on paper. You would have thought, going in, they didn't, they lost. Yes, they lost some, some pieces, but you also looked at what was coming back? Um, with the likes of Ben Titi, maggio and people like that. You're like, yeah, you almost penciled them in top four before the season started and then to finish ninth and finish ninth quite comfortably in the end, not really having a chance come the opening the last two, three weeks of season to save themselves is is a huge shock and it'll be really interesting to see how they kind of retool and go about it, because we know, with three teams going down, getting out of division one next year is not going to be easy in its in its own right and you're right, and your point earlier about trying to add to their roster, for me too, too too late.
Speaker 2:For ibb polonia it was a little bit too late. The effort you know. They definitely picked up with some of their new additions and got some results, but it was a little bit too late. Um, we were, we were worried about them for opening weekend. What we saw opening weekend and I think you know that's how their season's been. But you're right, teams wanting to stay in the division, three teams dropping out of the dynamic men's super league this year, so Essex Blaze, ibb Polonia and Stockport. So, michael, on the flip side of that, which team will be really happy with their overall performance, do you think?
Speaker 1:really happy with their overall performance, do you think I mean it's tough, obviously, essex winning the league again. I know it was a target going into season of Alex Porter thinking he could, but I think I think Newcastle kind of becoming that team in the northeast to take out Durham and again that that spot could have gone to to. I probably thought going in late Nottingham were going to do it, but obviously Newcastle beat them back-to-back weeks and that really cemented that final sports spot. So I think, taking over that kind of crown in the North East beating out their local rivals in Durham, I think Sam's done a terrific job.
Speaker 1:It's not easy blending people in from two different university programmes Some of the athletes at Northumbria, some of them Newcastle. Yes, it's got advantages, but I think trying to find a blend when they sometimes are playing against each other, sometimes training with each other, and balancing out how those training schedules work is, isn't an easy thing, um, and you'll know that from a coaching side, I know that from a basketball coaching side that balance is not easy to find and Sam and those guys done a terrific job, um, of doing that. And again, on paper they're probably not the team that's coming in with the best hope at Final Four. But you've also seen glimpses when they've got it right this season that they can play with anyone in the league Absolutely.
Speaker 2:So let's look forward then to the two semifinals. Let's start with the first one, which will be the league uh, winners, essex Rebels taking on the team that's uh that you just mentioned, sam Shenton's Newcastle Knights team. So, uh, essex going into this, obviously winning both their games Michael, just fact check me here 3-1, 3-1, both times. Yeah, that's, that's about weeks, yeah, so what's, what's that game gonna look like? What's the key thing for Essex? Um, obviously they do go into that as probably the favorites, but talk us through your thoughts on that game uh, I mean Essex obviously playing really confidently.
Speaker 1:Um one loss on the season again. Just won the Bucks national championship. Being a UEL side, that if you combine UEL and Mallory they were 0-4 against losing every game in five sets. So to sweep that final 3-0 I know was really big.
Speaker 1:I think this game is as simple as how can Newcastle slow down the middles? Because the two match-ups back in January were dominated by Thomas Jefferson and Devin Pascal, the two Essex middles. They both hit nearly 700 plus between. I think Thomas was 670 off the top of my head and Devin was somewhere north of that as well. So the question is can there be a response from Newcastle to slow down the middles?
Speaker 1:But and it feels similar to side out in saying this but there was a injury, big injury question mark on the Essex side as well. Thomas Shatman came out the quarterfinal last week against Giants in the third set with again what looked like an ankle injury, rehabbing that in two weeks. I haven't spoken to Alex yet. It's one of my jobs for this week to do a check-in, so at least I've got a rough idea. Obviously nothing will come out publicly of that, but if Thomas can't go, can Hasan go? Because Hasan played eight, nine points and came out with what I'm assuming was a dislocated finger, because our good old friend Alex Chinnery described it as his fingers pointing the wrong way. So either that's a broken finger or dislocated finger, which, if you lose both of those, then who is that next player up for Essex?
Speaker 1:Alex has got good depth, but the dynamic about offense, if they lose Hassan and Thomas, will definitely shift um and it will allow Newcastle to maybe sit in on the middle a little bit, because we know a lot of the ball is going to go to the outside in Jacob Kern. But they've been able to balance it so well by having Thomas or Hassan when he's needed to step in and they've both had really good years. I mean, I'm looking at Thomas, one of the worst hitters in Essex, and he's hitting 230, which says the strength and depth they've got. But I don't know if they can't go how that shifts. So I think that's a real interesting thing. But yeah, if they can slow down the middles, then that gives Newcastle a chance to kind of be in the game and cause some issues, and the fact that they've taken two sets off Essex says a lot that they know they have and can have success in their moments.
Speaker 2:Yeah, and you know, I know Sam Shenton well and I know he will be doing his homework, he will have watched footage, he will be planning, he'll be talking about his game plan. There'll be a plan, there'll definitely be a plan. They'll go into that game and I think they'll feel confident and I think they'll feel like they can definitely do it. Like you say, essex do go in as the favourites, but I think Knights are a good team. They play some good volleyball and I think you're in for a really good game. Obviously, you mentioned Kern and Pascal for Essex, two of the best attackers in the league. So it will be a case of can they shut them down? Can they serve well? Can they put some pressure on the Essex defence to stop them running their offence system? So, yeah, a really good game to look forward to.
Speaker 2:Second semi-final then, again, probably the big one, because it's two take on three and it's a battle of the London teams, right? So we've got London Mallory taking on the in-form London Giants and again Michael. 3-0 to Mallory earlier on in the season and then a 1-3 loss for Mallory, so I think it's 1-0 in in in the regular season. So they're both going into this game. Uh, looking to win this tiebreaker. What are your thoughts on this one?
Speaker 1:I mean rip up the 3-0 at the start of the season. This Giants team is completely different. We had them at Super League. We had both these teams not against each other, but the Super League live in Crystal Palace in November. And I was updating my notes last week and I was like no longer with the team, no longer with the team, no longer with the team. I think there's two players in Noah Lissandra in the middle and Lovpreet Sandhu, who's kind of moved positions a little bit but has now kind of settled at opposite. In this line-up they're the only two that have played like 10 games I expect to see the court. There's a couple that we may see the court, but they're the two standouts. If not, it's five new players, realistically, from what we saw in November.
Speaker 1:So I think it's a really interesting game because Giants have to prove they can win in a fourth and a fifth set like they've really they've had one of the more bizarre seasons I I can think of. They. They played 60 sets in 54 in 18 games. So you, they, this team has got little to no experience of playing in set fours and set fives. Yeah, all 11 of their wins were 30 or 31 and all. Seven of their losses were 30 or 31, so they haven. So I don't believe they've gone to five all year. So the question is now if Mallory go to five, they'll be confident. So can Giants have enough to win it in three or four? And that's where it gets tricky.
Speaker 1:I think they've got a lot of regret from the semifinal at Essex. Yes, the first two sets were super close, but it was pretty much tied in the thirds when the injuries that you talked about happened to first Thomas and then Hassan, and Giants then capitulated, with Essex having to play players that weren't expecting to see the floor in a tight third set. So I think that may have shaken a little bit of confidence. But the one thing we know is someone that knows how to win on the big stages is Mihal Stoev, and he's been there, he's done it, he knows Mallory really well and I know he'll be coming up with a really good game plan to try and slow up Mallory's offense and really put some pressure on.
Speaker 1:And again, they have the confidence because you said it when they met middle of February and it's the game that really swung the league for Essex and cost Mallory, whilst Giants winning in in Mallory 3-1 and it was fairly convincing as well. So I think that's uh, I think it's going to be really interesting to see kind of the adjustments. Mallory have started to really get a settled seven now, but they have more impact off the bench. So if things don't go well, um, the ability for Mallory just to change it up a little bit is, is there a little bit more than Giants. But I think Giants are the informed team and they are gonna be going in full of confidence that they can not just beat Mallory but potentially win the whole thing.
Speaker 2:Michael, as always, very insightful. You know your stuff, you know all the facts and the numbers and you're right. But for me, volleyball, like most sports, is who turns up on the day you can go into these games of the game plan, but who turns up mentally strong enough on these games? And you say, like you said, the the coaching experience of jefferson williams, carol gordon in the grand at mallory, like they will have lots of tricks up their sleeve and I know they've got lots of depth um in their, in their squad, in terms of players can play out of position, different setting um setting options, different libras. Obviously got the experience dan hunter in their team who also play out of position, different setting options different libros.
Speaker 1:Obviously you've got the experienced Dan Hunter in their team, who also takes more of a leadership role as well. I actually think Dan's a really good point. I think Dan's an absolute X factor in this weekend because he's been in and out of the Mallory line-up. They lost Remy Cordeaux, who was again challenging for best live, and him and Dan were pretty much on the same level early in the year. They were both really impactful. But Dan came in back end of the season and again his passing against a Giants team that can really go big on serve, especially Sandu in particular, like Dan's passing, I believe it's a 2-5-5 on the gear, which is crazy. So if Vade Kam really can really settle in on that serve receive and get the offense going, um, I think that'll be it and that's a lot, a lot relying on dan and that pass, uh, that passing unit for mally to really hold up, because the games they've struggled, that serve receive unit has really struggled yeah, no, very good point.
Speaker 2:And, like you say, dan is very, very experienced volleyball player, played played an Olympic game, knows the deal and under pressure, I know he's a champion of mindset and will control and support his team as well. So for me, michael, my opinion on that one is flip a coin. I think it would go either way. I think it's probably a five-setter in my opinion, but, like you say, really good point. You make around Giants not going to five, winning most of their games, three nil, especially since the Christmas period. So you're right, I think for me and I'm a huge mindset man like I think it will come down to the day, the mindset, the experience of some of the coaching and some of the players in both of their teams. So certainly, uh, an interesting semi-final. So can you call it? Can you call, like the, who's going to win both games and who do you think is going to win the final overall? Is it just too close to say I?
Speaker 1:I'm going to be slightly biased here. Um, I want to see Essex Mallory again because I obviously did that Super League live game at the start of March and that was an absolute blast to commentate on. That was that was had twist turns, we had blood delays late in the fifth set and I think everyone walked out the gym that day going, yeah, we, we could see that again. I'll see, we get to see it in the cup final. So maybe do we want the see it in the cup final. So maybe do we want the same final as the cup final.
Speaker 1:But if I get that twice more, you'll count me as a happy commentator. So I'll tell you that much. Um, and obviously we had the Essex Mallory first week in the bronze medal game last year. So, um, I'd love to see Essex Mallory just from that point of view. But, um, I think your point about Johns being in form is really interesting and I think probably they will be the more confident of the two teams going into that last game on Saturday. So I would not be shocked if we saw an Essex Giants final.
Speaker 2:Michael awesome.
Speaker 2:And you're right, I'm having a flashback to that bronze medal match last season Me and you on the commentary the Mallory versus Essex Rebels, essex getting the bronze last year. So interesting that the two teams that we mentioned, durham and Polonia, not in. You know, polonia being relegated this year, like we've mentioned, and Durham not making it. But what a season of volleyball. I'm just gutted. Like I said at the start, I'm gutted. I can't be there. I will be trying to sneak and watch from you know, on my phone and listen to your uh, your uh expert commentary and analysis, as always. Thank you ever so much, uh, for joining us on the show today. I wish you all the best for the commentary. I know you'll do a fantastic job, like you always do. It's not too late, guys. You can still get your hands on some tickets for the final four weekend heading over to the Volleyball England website. And, michael, final words from you then. If you're not able to get to Crystal Palace, talk to us about the live stream.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I mean we've got some. I'm not going to reveal anything, I'm going to keep a couple of surprises mean we've got, we've got some. I'm not going to reveal anything, I'm going to keep a couple of surprises, but we've got some. Got some things planned on the on the commentary side, obviously jc, part of the media comms team at volleyball england, her work really close with on the live streams. We've we've had a couple of meetings. We're bringing some new elements to the live stream that hopefully will will make it even more watchable at home. So we I will say we've got a little couple more graphics than normal. Um, we've got a couple more graphics than normal. We've got a couple of special guests joining us and commentary for the weekend as well.
Speaker 1:But yeah, it's going to be one of those weekends that if you want to see high-level volleyball, definitely tune in, get your thoughts in the comments. It's one of the things we enjoy most on the broadcast is we've got you tuning in, giving your thoughts and stuff. It definitely is exciting and I think the biggest thing for me is hopefully the atmosphere. The crowd comes through as well because from everything I've heard talking to some of the coaches in the week talking to volleyball. England staff, like this is going to be a big crowd, um, and I think, hopefully, if you can't make it, obviously we'd love to have you in person.
Speaker 1:If you are coming heads up, bring sunglasses. It's crystal palace. Um, that's going to be an ongoing joke on stream all weekend. But, um, yeah, join in, let keep keep active, even if you're at home. Let us know your thoughts and we'll engage with you guys as well, because this is as much about the eight teams on the floor. This is about the whole, of whole of the community coming together on what is going to be a fun weekend and I will say this I think there's going to be at least three, five setters big, bold statement, michael, um, but yeah, no, I think I agree with you, um, but yeah, no, you're absolutely right.
Speaker 2:It is a great venue and personally, you know, I, I am really proud and I'm going to look at the live stream to look at, you know, what is hopefully a, a huge audience and a good crowd, because that's what that sort of volleyball deserves and those players and those athletes deserve to play in front of a huge crowd. So, being in London, like you say, with quite a Southern-based Final Four teams in both the Maori Women's Super League and the Dominic Men's Super League, hopefully we'll see a packed audience. But from me, lou Wiltshire, host of that volleyball guy, whatever you're up to, just remember, keep playing, keep supporting but, most importantly, keep that spirit alive. Thank you for listening that volleyball guy.
