The German volleyball players around returnee Georg Grozer started the European Championship with a sovereign victory.
Coach Michal Winiarski’s German team won against Estonia on Wednesday (08/30/2023) in Perugia, Italy, 3-0 (25:22, 25:19, 25:19). The success without dropping a set gave Germany the full three points in Group A.
The 38-year-old exceptional player Grozer, who took a break from the national team last summer and in the Nations League, scored 15 points. This made him the most successful German attacker.
“The first game in a tournament like this is always very difficult“Grozer said afterwards. “Congratulations to the team, but we can do even better. We have a very difficult group, every point is important.”
Germany has first difficulties – and still wins
In the first set, the German team made too many simple mistakes at the beginning and had coordination problems on the defensive. A point and an ace by Ruben Schott provided the first major lead at 22:19.
Better access in the block game and more pressure on the serve quickly brought the DVV selection a 9:3 lead in the second round. The Estonians managed to get a little closer, but the set clearly went to Germany. Middle blocker Anton Brehme always scored important points. The German selection quickly pulled away in the third set.
Switzerland is waiting in the second group game
In the second group game, the Germans will meet Switzerland on Friday (31.08.2023) at 6 p.m. The top four teams from the group of six advance to the round of 16 at the tournament in Italy, North Macedonia, Bulgaria and Israel.
In each game, points are also awarded for the world rankings, which can ultimately be decisive for Olympic qualification.