From BZ/dpa
Leaders Grankin and Patch have left BR Volleys. With flat hierarchies, however, the Berliners remain on the road to success.
The sixth national cup title is a piece of the jigsaw puzzle in the maturing process for the BR Volleys after the big upheaval before the season. “That was a big step in the development of our young team,” said the coach Cedric Enard after the 3:1 win against SWD powervolleys Düren in Mannheim on Sunday.
The twelve-time German champion showed particular maturity after losing the first set. The team swung to a style of play that the more experienced team from Düren could no longer cope with. “First we had to shake off the pressure,” Enard explained the problems at the start. Playing in front of more than 9,000 spectators like in Mannheim is not everyday life, even for the volleys that are so popular with the audience.
Volleys coach Cedric Enard was very happy with his team Photo: picture alliance / photo booth | Photo booth / Reuhl
Sometimes those responsible are amazed at the progress that the team has made since the start of the season in October.
“We lost five class players, not just Benjamin Patch and Sergej Grankin,” recalls the managing director Kaweh Niroomand of the personnel changes before the season and states: “We now have a new pecking order with flat hierarchies, everyone takes responsibility for themselves. That makes this team strong.”
Johannes Tille, for example, who initially was only second choice as a setter behind the Spaniard Angel Trinidad, has now taken on a leading role as a setter.
Diagonal attacker Marek Sotola has long since aroused the interest of wealthy clubs with spectacular performances. “We won’t give it away for any money in the world,” emphasizes Niroomand. Sotola’s contract with the BR Volleys runs until 2025.
Berlin’s Marek Sotola (r) against Düren’s block of three Photo: Uwe Anspach/dpa
Friday against Düren again…
The BR Volleys can’t enjoy the cup victory for too long. On Friday there will be a new edition of the final in the Bundesliga intermediate round at the powervollleys Düren. Five days later, club world champions SSM Perugia are guests in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals in Berlin. “The next few weeks will be tough,” says Niroomand.