A full hall almost entirely in French hands: The German volleyball players are not initially fazed by this. But the hosts are coming back.
The German volleyball players have gambled away a 2-0 set lead against hosts France and have had to abandon their hopes of winning a medal at the Olympics. The team led by exceptional player Georg Grozer lost to the reigning Olympic champions in the quarter-finals in front of an impressive crowd in the arena in the south of Paris in a tie-breaker 2:3 (25:18, 28:26, 20:25, 21:25, 13:15).
The selection of the German Volleyball Association (DVV) wanted to be the first team from the Federal Republic to win a medal. The GDR selection won silver in the men’s competition in 1972. Despite being eliminated, coach Michal Winiarski’s team, which was taking part in the games for the first time since 2012, played a strong tournament overall. Against Japan and the USA, the team showed that it can keep up with the absolute world elite.
German team caused a stir in Paris
The DVV team went into the match against the team of former national coach Andrea Giani as slight underdogs. The French are not only Olympic champions, but also won the Nations League (VNL) a few weeks ago.
At the beginning, the German attacks landed too often in the French block. Grozer hardly found any gaps. But then the best blocker of the tournament so far made some defensive moves himself and also came into his own with his hard shots. Many varied attacks brought the Germans the first set.
The many French fans, who initially caused some of the stands in the hall to shake and repeatedly sang “Allez les Bleus”, fell silent after the Germans scored points.
Grozer’s serve brings the second set
In the second set, the Olympic champion and the audience really woke up. Although some French serves went further out, overall they increased the pressure on the German reception. Outside attacker Earvin N’Gapeth particularly stood out.
But the Germans did not let themselves be unsettled and came back point by point. Two important points from middle blocker Tobias Krick and a powerful serve from Grozer brought the score to 2:0. In the third set, the DVV team also initially found answers to minor setbacks. But a few mistakes and misunderstandings cost them the set.
Close decision gives France the lead
Germany stabilized somewhat. The 39-year-old Grozer scored important points, but too many attacks ended up out of bounds. The fourth set was a close one. An extremely close decision for a block touch by Anton Brehme gave France a small cushion. Moritz Reichert, on the outside position, was unable to find a way through the French block during several attacks.
The momentum had shifted. There was huge cheering when the French won 2-0 in the tie-break. Grozer landed unluckily and didn’t seem to be at full strength at the end. The DVV team fought back, but it wasn’t quite enough.
Source: Stern
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