Men´s Olympic Qualification Düsseldorf: Germany starts tournament with sovereign victory over Chinese Taipei
The German national team started the Volleyball Olympic Qualification Tournament in Düsseldorf in front of the excited spectators with the hoped for and expected victory against the young team from Chinese Taipei with a 3-0 (25-18, 25-15, 25-17)victory.
The starting line-ups of the two teams
Germany: Simon Tischer, Jochen Schöps, Björn Andrae, Marcus Popp, Ralph Bergmann, Marcus Böhme, Markus Steuerwald
Chinese Taipei: Li Sheng Cheng, Chia Jui Tai, Wei Lun Chien, Yao Chiang Lu Chiang, Ming Chun Wang, Tien Yu Chiang, Jung Chung Hung
From the first rally on the German team put the opponent under pressure. Tischer’s and Schöps’ service were the basis for a 8-4 lead at the first technical time-out. The Germans blocked well while their opponent struggled with defence. Chinese Taipei’s head coach took a time-out after Tischer served an ace to the 14-8 lead. It worked; the guests scored two points in a row however the German team remained cool (16-11). Tai hit the ball through the German block twice (21-17). But in the end it was Pampel, substituting Bergmann, who scored the 25-18 with an ace.
The second set began like the first one. However, the guests form Chinese Taipei took the lead (2-3). Andrae served two service points, which was the beginning for a series of points for the host team (8-4). While the team from Chine Taipei could not convince with their defence, the German players remained nervous until a series of spectacular points right before the second technical time-out (16-8). Although the guests scored some fast balls via the middle position it was the experience of the Germans and an ace served by Markus Böhme that decided the second set (25-15).
Both teams started with the same line-up. Chinese Taipei took the lead after a strong service of Chiang (1-3). Even though the German team caught up it was the guest team leading at the first technical time-out after a fast attack (6-8). After a block of Schöps the Germans equalled to 10-10 and took the lead (11-10). Jung Hsiang Chang requested a time-out at 13-11. Finally the German attacks became stronger; Böhme spiked successfully and led his team with 16-13 into the second technical time-out. Mark Siebeck substituted Bergmann for service at the score of 21-16 and was lucky: his team scored two points with strong blocks. Captain Hung served poorly and setter Tischer was the one to kill the first match ball (25-17).