2023-08-17 19:46:42
The German volleyball players started the European Championships at home with a commanding victory. The team of national coach Vital Heynen beat Greece 3-0 (25:19, 25:21, 29:27) in the Castello Düsseldorf on Thursday evening (17.08.2019).
“It’s not just a positive feeling right following the game,” said Heynen followingwards, who lamented the injury to winger Hanna Orthmann: “I hope it’s just a small thing.” In front of 1,256 spectators, only Orthmann’s injury-related substitution put a damper on the game. There was no sign of nervousness among the Germans at the beginning. The team quickly led 7:3 in the first set. Every point was greeted with loud cheers from the Düsseldorf audience.
Concerns regarding Hanna Orthmann
But following her point to 13:10, Orthmann, often the most successful attacker recently, had to be replaced and treated on his left leg. She didn’t come back into play. But even without the 24-year-old, the team won the set by a clear margin.
In the second round, the hosts quickly made it 4-0, but the set remained balanced for a long time. But whenever the 31st in the world rankings approached, the German team was able to quickly pull away once more. Outside attacker Lina Alsmeier and Marie Schölzel provided important points.
“We’re a team. If one goes out, someone else jumps in,” said Heynen between sentences two and three regarding Orthmann’s failure. In the third round, the Greeks were initially just ahead. The German team struggled in defense. The Belgian coach made his dissatisfaction clear during a time-out.
Three set balls saved in a row
With the score at 24:21 and thus three set points in a row for the Greeks, the set seemed lost, but the DVV team fought back with a block from Stigrot and two points from Camilla Weitzel. In the end, a Greek ball out of bounds provided the necessary two-point lead.
In the second preliminary round game, Germany meets Azerbaijan on Saturday (19.08.2024, 8 p.m. / live ticker at sportschau.de). The four best teams from the group of six advance to the round of 16 in Belgium.
1692304586
#Kickoff #Greece #German #volleyball #players #start #European #Championships #home #win