That’s the way Dieter Hofmann calls it after reporting on podium training.
Hofmann I’ve often called the second most successful coach in history. (After Arkaev.) He was long-time Head Coach of both Men’s and Women’s National Teams in East Germany.
At the end of the podium training it certainly can be said that the following teams will qualify for the World Championships 2007: Italy, North Korea, France, Spain, Brazil, Japan, Canada, USA, Australia, Romania, Germany, South Korea, Russia, Great Britain, Ukraine, China and the Netherlands.
– Further 10 teams will have to make it into the top 24 with improved performances in the competition.
– It is hard to name one favorite for the women’s team competition. Probably about five teams would have the chance to win the event.
– Considering their technical abilities and the content of their routines the team from China probably is the favorite for the gold medal. However, they still have to prove that with stability during the competition. With the new judging regulations major errors are deducted with 0.5 and falls with 0.8. So for the teams mistakes don’t anymore mean loosing tenths, it might very well mean loosing whole points.
It definitely will be an exciting event and everyone is looking forward to the start of the competition!
Gymnastics Coaching.com 