Who is going to win (olympic volleyball)?

Mens' Indoor: USA has a great chance, but they had an easy route to the World League Championships. I think Brazil wins, and maintains their #1 world ranking according to FIVB.com

Men's Beach: The Xu-Wu team (CHI) has an excellent opportunity to win on home sand. Harley-Pedro have the top ranking in the world though, and get my vote. I expect the Dalhausser / Rogers team to medal.

Women's Indoor: Brazil are the top ranked, and are my favorites to win. Expect strong showings from Cuba and China as well. I doubt USA will medal.

Women's Outdoor: May/Walsh no doubt.

The indoor men's tournament is going to be awesome and may be the most fun to watch out of all 4 volleyball competitions. I really think the USA will win. Brazil may have thrown the World League Final Round to rest it's players for Beijing, but I doubt it. The USA's recent Gold Medal in World League has served notice to the World, we're back. :)

Indoor Women is a complete toss up. I think the USA has a chance, but Italy, Cuba, and Puerto Rico are playing some great ball lately. It depends on who works harder for it.

Beach Women is a complete no-brainer. I'm almost not even interested in watching because of it. That's the only problem with May-Treanor and Walsh as a team. Predictability is not good for competition. Hat's off to them though, but it would be more fun to watch if we didn't know who was going to dominate.

On the other hand, Beach Men will be close. I really like Rosenthal and Gibb and they are the hottest team on the AVP tour lately and seem to be peaking at the right time. Phil Dalhausser and Todd Rogers will medal but the Gold is truly reachable by only 3 teams. I think the team of Brazilians Harley Marques and Pedro Salgado have a chance to medal and even take Gold. I'll predict the Brazilians will get Silver with USA teams getting a Gold and Bronze.

Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh

GBHJ