Disappointed, the German volleyball players sank to the ground after the match point. National coach Vital Heynen’s players did well against the hosts from Poland at the Olympic qualifying tournament in Lodz, but the ticket for Paris 2024 is after the 2:3 (25:20, 25:27, 21:25, 25:22 , 12:15) moved a little further into the distance on Friday evening. And yet: faith is still there.
“We have to win two tiebreaks, then we’ll be there in Paris, we’ll keep trying,” said Heynen, referring to the last two games against the top-class Italy on Saturday evening (8:45 p.m.) and the Olympic champions from the USA on Sunday (5:30 p.m.). Clock).
Before the decisive games, the selection of the German Volleyball Association (DVV) is now in fourth place in the group of eight with eleven points behind the Poles (12). At the top are the USA (15) ahead of Italy (12). Only the best two teams qualify directly for Paris. The USA can book their ticket against Poland on Saturday, which in turn would help the German selection – assuming they win.
After the defeat against the hosts, the German team’s frustration was quickly mixed with defiance and pride. “Last time at the European Championships we lost 3-0 against Poland, so I was disappointed. But this time we fought, that’s how we always have to play,” said Heynen. Marie Schölzel demanded: “We have to leave everything negative here today and take the positive with us for Saturday and Sunday, because we still have a chance.”
After successes against Thailand, Colombia, South Korea and Slovenia, Heynen’s selection was Poland by far the strongest opponent so far on Friday. At the last European Championship, the Poles were too strong in the round of 16. This time the victory was within reach; Italian legionnaire Camilla Weitzel was the most successful German player with 18 points.
If the Olympic ticket doesn’t work out in Poland, there would still be one last chance: until June 2024, further places will be awarded via the world rankings. The German women last qualified for the Olympics in 2004.