The BR Volleys are German champions in 2022 – thanks to a historic race to catch up: they were the first team since the introduction of the playoffs in 1987 to win the title after two defeats at the start of the final series.
In front of 8,553 spectators in the Max-Schmeling-Halle, the Berliners defeated VfB Friedrichshafen 3-1 (25:20, 19:25, 25:23, 25:22) on Saturday evening and thus decided the best-of-five series with 3:2 for themselves. For the capital club, the triumph means the title defense and the twelfth German championship in the club’s history.
Volleys counter the strong start of the guests
The Berliners were optimistic before the crucial fifth game. “The momentum is now on our side. But I’m also convinced that it won’t be easy for us, but I’m counting on the experience of some of our players,” said managing director Kaweh Niroomand.
And his prophecy was to come true. It was a tour de force from the first moment. After a tight start, Friedrichshafen initially pulled away slightly. In the middle of the first set, the BR Volleys were four points behind at 9:13 for the first time. The Berliners didn’t let that upset them. Driven by the audience in the sold-out hall, a strong block made it 16:15 for Berlin a little later. And the sentence now tilted completely in the direction of the home side. When the score was 24:19, the Berlin team had plenty of set balls and used the second to make it 25:20.
Tuia with power, but Friedrichshafen countered
The guests reacted strongly. In the second round, Friedrichshafen pulled away to 11:6. But as in the first sentence, the Berliners showed a reaction. Samuel Tuia in particular shone with strong attacking actions. This time, however, the guests didn’t let themselves be taken by surprise – on the contrary: they always had a counterattack ready and kept the volleys at a distance. With a 16:20 from the point of view of Cedric Enard’s team, the decisive phase of the set began. Friedrichshafen pulled through and immediately used the first set ball to make it 25:19.
Both teams were now evenly matched in the game. Delivered long rallies with brilliant attacks and spectacular rescue operations. The intensity was at the limit. No team could break away. The lead changed back and forth.
Statistically, the third set was one of the many gripping exchanges of blows in the final series. The two teams had completed a total of 16 rounds before the decisive fifth game – ten ended with a difference of only two points, eight of them only in overtime. In this third round in the seething Max-Schmeling-Halle there were only two points between the teams – and the BR volleys cheered: Tim Carle scored the point to 25:23.
One comeback follows the other
And the Berliners took the momentum into the fourth set and pulled away early with three points (6:3). But Friedrichshafen rebelled. The guests first equalized and then drew away to within four points (7:11).
The comeback of VfB was followed by that of the volleys: They were noticeably determined to decide the duel before a tie-break. With a 9:3 run, the Berliners developed a 16:14 lead. They could no longer take this advantage. They used the second match ball, in which the whole spectacle of the series was shown again, and crowned themselves champions with 25:22.
Enard: “You can’t describe the feeling”
“Before the game I said to the boys in the dressing room that it was like a dream,” said coach Cedric Enard in an rbb interview after the championship trophy was handed over, “I’ve been here for four years now – and it was the first It’s the first time we’ve had the chance to win the title at home. It’s fantastic that we did it. I’m so happy.”
The sold-out Max-Schmeling-Halle had long been a vibrating madhouse – and also inspired Enard: “Look at it, it’s wonderful. You can’t describe the feeling. These fans are just incredible.”
Broadcast: rbb24, April 30, 2022, 9:45 p.m
Source: rbb