European Olympic qualification Halle/Westfalen (W): 2008 Olympics will be without German national team
Germany failed to spring a major surprise as they missed out on the Olympic qualification following a 0-3 semi-final loss to Russia (15-25, 23-25, 17-25). For the first time since 1992, they failed to qualify for the Olympic Games. In tomorrow´s final (Jan 20, 15.30h) Russia will face the winner of the second semi-final between Serbia and Poland. Best scorers were Angelina Grün (13), Cornelia Dumler and Christiane Fürst (each 10) for Germany, Ekaterina Gamova (23) and Liubov Shashkova (13) for Russia.
Starting seven Germany: Tanja Hart, Angelina Grün, Hanka Pachale, Cornelia Dumler, Christiane Fürst, Corina Ssuschke und Heike Beier.
Starting seven Russia: Marina Sheshenina, Liubov Shachkova, Natalia Alimova, Ekaterina Gamova, Natlalya Safronova, Yulia Merkulova, Ekaterina Kabeshova
It certainly was a special atmosphere in the GERRY WEBER STADION, with 5.300 fans supporting Germany with standing ovations from the first whistle on. It seemed to help – Germany´s started with some deliberate and precise work. Gruen, Dumler and Fuerst won the first points, only the serve didn´t click, resulting in three service faults early doors (7-7). Then Russia´s biggest weapon, their block, came to life, and Ssuschke was blocked. Guidetti´s troops hung in there (9-10) but several mistakes allowed the favourites to pull away (11-16). Two great defensive plays from Pachale and Hart brought the crowd back into the match before in-form Gamova took over with her great offensive skills. It was her who converted the set point.
Photo Conny Kurth: The Russian block was too strong for Germany.
The pattern remained the same in the second set. Germany kept close the distance, especially with captain Gruen chalking up points, while Gamova and Shashkova did the damage for Russia. After a mistake from Gruen, Russia seemed to pull away (15-18), but Germany´s fighting spirit and the frenetic support from the local fans helped them to get back into the match (18-18). A string of mistakes gave Russia a three-point lead – only for Gruen to serve an ace and clinch another winner (22-23). Gamova failed to convert the first set point but did better on the next attempt to give her country a two-set lead.
Russia quickly pulled away in the third thanks to sharp serves from Shashkova as well as good work from their block (2-8). German coach Guidetti tried to turn the tide with the help of substitutions as he brought on Kozuch and Weiß, then Bouagaa and Radzuweit. But there was no stopping the Russians who cruised into the final, with a misunderstanding between Dumler and Gruen ending Germany´s Olmypic dreams.
Statements
Germany coach Giovanni Guidetti: "It was a perfect game for Russia. You can only congratulate them on that. We had big problems. Our service was much too weak, our block almost non-existent and we could never really put Russia under pressure. Of course we´re very disappointed not to go to the Olympic Games, but now I have to prepare the team for the next task the Grand Prix."
Germany captain Angelina Gruen: "We´ve shed a few tears and there are some more to follow now that we´ve missed out on the sports highlight number one. I believe we lacked experience and continuity in this tournament. That has to change in the future. We should play more matches against high-class opposition to reach a level which will allow us to beat teams like Russia."
Russia coach Giovanni Caprara: "I am very proud of my team because we put on a great performance today. Our will and dedication were superb. If my team keeps playing like this, it will be very hard for anyone in the world to beat us."
Russia captain Liubov Shashkova: "We had carefully prepared us for this match and managed to carry out the game plan very efficiently. Our service and block was great. That was key to a clear and well-deserved victory."
Germany international Heike Beier: "We had no chance, Russia were better in every aspect of the game. Maybe things would have gone differently had we won the second set but we have to admit that Russia today played at a higher level than we did."