The German volleyball players started the Nations League season successfully and thus into the race for the last five Olympic places. At the opening tournament in Antalya, national coach Alexander Waibl’s team won the first match against France 3-0 (25:22, 25:14, 25:22) on Wednesday (May 15, 2024).
In their three further matches in Turkey, the selection of the German Volleyball Association (DVV) will face Italy on Thursday, Japan a day later and the Netherlands on Sunday (all 1:00 p.m. CEST).
Nations League, 1st game week Arrow right
National coach Weibl praises “mature performance”
“That was a mature performance. We were a little better in all elements of the game, but I am particularly satisfied with the attack, receiving and serving. We were always present and had the necessary courage in important situations,” said Waibl after the conversion Match point on association TV.
DVV team needs at least tenth place after the Nations League preliminary round
Tickets for the Summer Games in Paris will be allocated based on the world rankings after the end of the preliminary round on June 16th. Later, Waibl’s team will also compete in Arlington/USA and Hong Kong. In order to take part in the Olympics for the first time since 2004 in Athens, Waibl’s team must finish at least tenth by the deadline. The DVV team traveled to Türkiye as number twelve in the world.
Lars Becker, Sportschau, May 11, 2024 9:25 a.m
Last chance for the Olympic ticket
Antalya is the second and last chance for a ticket to the French capital for the DVV team led by captain and Libera Anna Pogany. Unlike their male colleagues, the German players missed their first opportunity to qualify for the Olympics in an elimination tournament.
Waibl looked after the DVV women for only the second time. The 56-year-old, who is also the coach of the Bundesliga club Dresdner SC (since 2009), was promoted to the national coaching position until August following the unexpected resignation of the Belgian Vital Heynen. In his debut on the DVV bench, his team won 3-2 against Romania in Potsdam last Friday.
