The German volleyball players must be full in the Philippines right at the beginning of the World Cup. The opening game against Bulgaria (Saturday, 11.30 a.m.) is extremely important for the further course of the tournament.
Already last Sunday (07.05.2025) the plane took off to Manila with the German national volleyball team on board Frankfurt/Main. The team of coach Michal Winiarski had almost a week to get used to the conditions on the West Pacific state and to prepare for the start of the world tournament that is all right.
Difficult group
Because there is a key game against the Bulgarians. Only with a victory in the first group game against Eastern Europeans can Germans probably hope for the round of 16.
“Our group is really difficult”says national coach Michal Winiarski, “But the most important day for us is September 13th, the game against Bulgaria.”
Slovenes the hardest chunk
Only the two group first come to the round of 16 at this World Cup, which is played for the first time with 32 instead of 24 teams. Two days after the start on Monday, September 15, the duel against Chile (7.30 a.m. in German), the blatant outsider follows. Then on Wednesday, September 17, against group favorites Slovenia (3 p.m. German time), the most difficult task and perhaps the “final” for the group victory.
Volleyball national coach Michal Winiarski
Success against the Bulgarians and against Chile, according to the German calculation, and the milestone would have been achieved. “Bulgaria has made enormous progress and a young, strong team, Slovenia is favorite – but we have often proven that we can survive against every opponent”says national coach Winiarski.
Grozer: “Medal is in”
In the Nations League Most recently had a 2: 3 defeat against the world ranking 15. Bulgaria given. Better remembered the DVV volleyball players – in the world rankings to number eight – their Olympic tournament in Paris. Germany had convinced with strong performances last summer despite the dramatic quarter-final against host France, which should now also succeed at the World Cup.
This is not the only reason why optimism is great among the Germans. “I have to honestly say if we exhaust our potential and remain mentally stable, then there is a medal in it”, said Georg Grozer. The 40-year-old diagonal attacker is the star in the German team again.
Team new compiled
After the Olympic Games, however, the Michal Winiarski team changed. Among other things, captain Lukas Kampa resigned, other players such as the two Berlin Moritz Reichert and Ruben Schott are currently taking a break.
“A lot of things are thrown together, that can be interesting”says Moritz Reichert: “We definitely have a good team at a high level and are well staffed in all positions.”
Place of venue as a good omen
By the way, the Germans will be in the “Mall of Asia Arena“With up to 20,000 spectators in the half million city of Pasay City South in the metropolitan area of Manila (23 million). Maybe a good omen: This is exactly where the German basketball players got their world championship title two years ago.