The German volleyball players started the World Cup in Poland and Slovenia with a defeat against Olympic champions France.
The team of the Polish national coach Michal Winiarski kept up with the big favorites for a long time, but had to admit defeat on Friday in Ljubljana with 0:25, 26:28, 24:26.
The sticking point for the Germans was the second round when they missed four set points. The best DVV attacker was Moritz Karlitzek with 17 points.
Pressure before the second game
For Winiarski’s team in Group D, a win in the second group game on Sunday (28.08.2022) against outsiders Cameroon is mandatory. On Tuesday she will play her last group game against Vice European Champion Slovenia. Only the first two teams in each group and the four best third-placed teams advance to the round of 16.
The Germans, with Georg Grozer skipping the finals, were wide awake in the beginning and didn’t let the Nations League winner pull away. But then they made too many attacking mistakes. France used their fourth set point.
Four set points, but no set win
Winiarski’s team got off to a lightning start in the second round to make it 7:2 and remained in the lead at 19:14. However, the French then picked up on serve. Germany even earned four set balls, but made too many mistakes in attack. Superstar Earvin N’Gapeth saved France’s comeback in the second round.
The Germans didn’t give up. They were also in the lead for a long time in the third period. When it came down to it, the French were back in the block and successful with the second match point.