Dhe failure to grab the first title of the season was no surprise. Nevertheless, Christophehaben, the new coach of the volleyball Bundesliga club United Volleys, showed himself on the day after the 0: 3 (18:25, 19:25, 20:25 ) -Defeat of the Frankfurt Supercup against champions and defending champions Berlin “a bit disappointed” with the performance of their own players in Schwerin. “I think we can do better,” said the Belgian. But not only the weapon, which he had proclaimed as one of the strongest of his selection before this season opener, the serve, did not work as desired. “You have to take risks against a team like Berlin,” commented the 43-year-old on the five aces, but also 13 mistakes in the service of the cup winner. Just assuming one was better than the other person.
The Berliners, armed with the self-confidence of the favorite, presented themselves in a form that the Frankfurt coach eighth of them had never seen before. Above all, diagonal attacker Benjamin Patch, with 18 points top scorer, could not be brought under control. “He was outstanding and clearly enjoyed playing in front of people again,” said eighth. Officially 947 spectators, including mostly supporters of the eventual winners, saw a long phase one-sided game in the Schwerin arena, which was over after just under 70 minutes. “If the Berliners maintain this level,” said eight, “then they can’t be beaten this season.”
On their own side, the two most successful point collectors Daniel Malescha (12) and the only 22-year-old Robin Baghdady (10), who faced his previous club, were positively noticed. Byron Keturakis and Leon Dervisaj have not yet harmonized with their many new colleagues after being injured in one and illness in the other.
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There is not much time to get together better before the first league game. On Sunday morning the volleys did not return to Frankfurt until after 3 a.m., on Tuesday they are already on their way back to the capital. At the Netzhoppers KW-Bestensee in Brandenburg, the club that Eighth trained last year, they will give their VBL entry on Wednesday (7.30 p.m.). The re-edition of the cup final in February is a better indicator of your own performance than the duel with the defending champion, who has dominated for years.
Only nine teams left in the league
The field in the volleyball Bundesliga has cleared once again: after the withdrawal of TV Bühl, which last reached the quarter-finals like the volleys, and the regular return of the talent factory of the VCO Berlin to the lower house, only nine teams are in the first class. The league has therefore introduced an intermediate round in which the eight quarter-finalists play off the play-off positions.
United managing director Guido Heerstraß welcomes this, as it offers more opportunities to inspire sponsors for net sports. While the volleys have never been easy since they started in the Bundesliga six years ago, the pandemic and the associated ban on spectators last season increased the need to catch up in this regard. “The situation remains tense despite Corona aid,” says Heerstraß.
A new permanent presence on the Internet should further improve the chances of all clubs to advertise themselves: All games of the men’s volleyball Bundesliga are filmed with several cameras and commented on by insiders, can be seen on the streaming service Twitch. At the Supercup you could get a first taste of it. Creators, moderators and chat participants had expected a lot more excitement for this premiere in a competitive game.
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