Diagonal attacker Marek Sotola was injured against Giesen and had to be carried off the field Photo: picture alliance / Andreas Gora
From BZ/dpa
The Berlin Volleys have reinforced their top position in the Bundesliga. In front of 3,754 spectators in the Max-Schmeling-Halle, the unbeaten table leader outclassed the third-placed Grizzlys Giesen 3:0 (25:14, 25:12, 25:20) on Saturday.
The success was overshadowed by the injury of the Berlin diagonal attacker Marek Sotola.
The Czech national player hit the referee’s chair with his foot when the score was 18:9 in the first set and had to be carried off the field after a three-minute break for treatment. An exact diagnosis is still pending.
Volleys coach Cedric Enard gave his two outside attackers Ruben Schott and Timothee Carle a break before the important Champions League game next Wednesday at Turkish runners-up Halkbank Ankara. Their positions were taken by Antti Ronkainen and Cody Kessel. In the pass, Johannes Tille was given preference over Angel Trinidad.
Despite these personnel changes, the Berliners dominated the action from the start. The Finn Ronkainen in particular not only convinced with powerful serves, but also with powerful attacks on the net. The injury-related retirement of Sotola, the player with the most points in the Bundesliga up to now, did not throw the hosts off course in the long term. The Brazilian Matheus Krauchuk, who came on for him, fitted in very well.
However, with their weak acceptance, the Gieseners also made considerable strides towards the opponent. The fact that the Lower Saxony left the end of the third set open until 7:20 p.m. was primarily due to the BR volleys losing concentration. In the end, Krauchuk converted the second match point.