Men´s Olympic Qualification Düsseldorf: Germany qualified for the Olympic Games after 36 years
Germany’s dream came true in another five set thriller: After beating the team from Spain 3-2 (25-23, 25-23, 23-25, 22-25, 15-10) the team of head coach Stelian Moculescu will travel to the Olympic Games for the first time in 36 years. In front of almost 5,000 fans the players acted nervously almost throughout the whole match and even enabled their opponent and European Champion from Spain to catch up after leading by two sets. Maybe it was the spectators or the will of the player that made the difference in the fifth set – but the Germans were the lucky ones to receive the hoped for ticket in the end!
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The German team was already celebrated by the frenetic fans when entering the court and caught the better start. They ran away to 5-2 when Bergmann served an ace. The Germans attacked perfectly and were leading by four points at the first technical time-out (8-4). When the team of head coach Marcelo Mendez caught up to 9-8, Stelian Moculescu requested a time-out. With a block against Andrea the Spanish equalled at 10-10. The teams fought for every single ball, knowing how important the ball points might be in the end. At 13-14 the Spanish team took the lead for the first time and Stelan Moculescu substituted Tischer by Dehne. The Spanish served an ace (13-16). Schöps came back with a monster spike after the time-out. The German team caught up to one point after a serve fault of Spain (17-18) but again Spain was more powerful: Stelian Moculescu requested another time-out at 17-20. Ralph Bergmann blocked in the right moment: 20-21 and time-out Spain. Germany equalized after a strong service of Siebeck (22-22). After Schöps served well he was the one to kill the spike for the set ball (24-23) and also the finish the first set (25-23).
Again the German had the better start (3-1). The Spanish team started to get nervous (5-1) and their head coach substituted several players. The team caught up a little, also due to some German mistakes, but was always behind until the first technical time-out (8-5). This time the German team was able to keep the pressure until 11-8 when the Spanish blocked Schöps and caught up to 11-10. At 14-12 Popp failed to broaden the gap, Andrea failed twice but Germany was still leading 16-15 at the second technical time-out. None of the two opponents took the lead (17-16 and 18-17). But then it was Bergmann to kill a poor reception of Spain: 19-17 and time-out Spain. The players around captain Falasca scored twice and this time it was Moculescu to request the time-out (19-19). When Kromm hit out, Spain took the lead for the first time 21-22. But then Dehne blocked (22-22), Suela lost his nerves and hit out. Germany was in the lead again (23-22). Hübner killed a spike: set ball Germany (24-23). Again Germany was lucky and the Spanish team hit out (25-23).
The Spanish team was lucky in the beginning (1-3) but the Germans wanted to fulfil their dream desperately (3-3) and took the lead when three players blocked Rodriguez (5-4). The lead changed and the guests were the ones leading at the first technical time-out (6-8). Popp played, which was the beginning of a small series of points for the host team (9-9). It was not encouraging enough and the Spanish went away to 9-13. Germany caught up again but every time they were close to their opponents made mistakes. At 14-15 however, Rodriguez hit out. It didn’t confuse his team (16-18). Schöps killed his spike, Kromm served powerful. Germany was back (18-17) and Mendez requested a time-out. At 19-20 the spectators’s “Germany, Germany” cheers became louder and Andrea killed the ball (20-20). But then Dehne served poorly and Bergmann was blocked: 20-22. Andrae was blocked and Stelian Moculescu requested the next time-out at 20-23. Schöps killed a spike, Kromm blocked his opponent and Mendez requested a time-out during this thrilling part of the set (22-23). The German defended one set ball but lost the third set 23-25.
Popp returned, scored from behind but Spain didn’t give in (5-6). Again it was Popp who played with the opponent’s block and scored (6-6). And after an amazing spike of Schöps the Germans were leading by one point at the first technical time-out (8-7). Bergmann killed two spiked (10-8 and 11-9). But the Germans were so nervous that the enabled the Spanish to equalize (11-11 and 13-13). When Popp was blocked, head coach substituted setter Dehne by Tischer at 13-14. It worked for a moment, but the European Champion was the leading time at the second technical time-out (15-16). Schöps started to be the most important German player who killed the balls from any position. At 18-17, after Rodriguez hit out, Spain requested a time-out. Again Schops finished the rally without mercy (19-17) and despite the pressure (20-18). But then he was blocked and the Spanish caught up at 20-20 and took the lead at 20-21. Stelian Moculescu requested a time-out to remind his players of their concentration. Then, Popp, one of the most constant players, set poorly and Schöps was blocked (20-23). Dehne came back to set. The tall Kromm came for Popp and killed the spike (22-23). This time Sevillano hit the line (22-24) and it was also him to kill the first set ball (22-25).
The last set of the tournament was to decide, which team would make it to Beijing. Untill 2-2 the teams fought hard but the Germans didn’t manage to serve well – too many points were given away (3-4). Dehne, for the first time served float and was successful. Bergmann killed a block and forced Spain’s head coach to request a time-out at 6-4. 8-5 was the score at the changeover. Andrae served an ace (9-5) and the fans turned the ISS Dome into a boiling pot. Rodriguez served into the net and it was only for more points to go for the German team (11-7). After Schöps killed a great spike none of the spectators remained on their seats (12-8) but head coach Mendez called his players to the bench for a time-out. And again the Spanish failed to put their service through (13-9). Pampel came to serve and did well. The Germans blocked: match ball Germany (14-9). The fans demanded one more point. And Schöps was the one to do them the favour (15-10).
Photo Conny Kurth: They have the ticket: The German players.
Miguel Falasca (captain Spain): Congratulations to Germany. They deserved to win the ticket to Beijing. For the sake of a fair competition we gave everything today. I wish the German team good luck for the Olympic Games.
Marcelo Mendez (head coach Spain): Congratulations to the German team. I hope they will give their best during the tournament in Beijing and maybe they will be even able to finish among to top teams. Today we gave 100% for the sake of a fair competition.
Björn Andrae (captain Germany): Cheers! The whole match was very hard, in the first two sets we were luckier in the end but after losing the third and fourth set we knew we had to give everything in the fifth set. It was a very euphoric match and the spectators helped us a lot in the last set. After a long time of hard work a dream finally came true.
Stelian Moculescu (head coach Germany): It has been a long way. We worked hard for more than nine years and I am very grateful that the boys always followed me. They didn’t earn any money but I knew we would be successful in the end. I thank god, that he rewarded the boys.
Stefan Hübner (player Germany): It was a heartthrob match, the competiton hall was full and one could not think of a better atmosphere. It was mental strength that we needed in the fifth set and thankfully it worked. I am glad we were able to play here in Germany.
Marcus Popp (player Germany): It’s a sensation for German volleyball. I am very happy that we made it.
Simon Tischer (player Germany): All that matters is the success. I am happy to be a part of this great team. Finally we have reached our biggest gaol. And I am happy that we finally proofed wrong that we always lose our nerves in close situations.