Despite facial paralysis, Brehme is making volleyball players dream
The German volleyball team is back at the Olympics for the first time in twelve years. They're even causing a stir among the USA, thanks in part to Anton Brehme's impressive performances. Despite having to go to the emergency room just weeks before the tournament began in the Philippines, the 24-year-old is still going strong.
Anton Brehme has a small issue before Germany's volleyball team's preliminary round finale - rest days can be dangerous for the middle blocker. "A rest day is always a bit of a cheat day for me, where I might indulge in something that's not entirely healthy," Brehme admits.
So far, these days haven't hindered him. Brehme is playing exceptionally well in Paris, with some already calling it the tournament of his life. As the quarterfinal hopes rest on his shoulders, the 2.06-meter tall powerhouse from Leipzig is set to play a leading role in Germany's volleyball comeback on the Olympic stage after twelve years. Living his dream in the French capital, Brehme is fulfilling a childhood wish by participating in the Olympics alongside volleyball stars like Georg Grozer and captain Lukas Kampa. "My family was very sports-oriented, and we always watched the games on TV," Brehme says. "Of course, you sometimes think it would be cool to be a part of it someday." That it's actually happening now is something he never thought possible.
Emergency Room in Manila
His career was hanging by a thread in 2022. Persistent knee problems and subsequent surgery forced Brehme to take a year-long break, during which he wasn't sure if he'd ever be able to play again. "I considered quitting volleyball," Brehme recalls.
It sounds a bit cliché, but he came back stronger than ever. He won the double with Berlin Volleys and then moved to Italian powerhouse Modena. After the Olympics, he's set to join Polish champions Jastrzebski Wegiel.
His plans were almost tragically derailed five weeks ago during the Nations League in the Philippines. Suddenly, Brehme couldn't feel his right cheek. He ended up in the emergency room in Manila, with the Olympics suddenly seeming far away. Fortunately, the worst fears were not confirmed, and an inflamed facial nerve was the cause.
Brehme still struggles with the consequences. Apart from the half-sided facial paralysis, his eye is constantly watering, and he's having trouble hearing. "Many sounds are at least twice as loud," he told the RedaktionsNetzwerk Deutschland. But he's not letting it get him down, and he's already 80% recovered from the facial issue.
With these promising conditions, Brehme is set to continue his winning streak on Friday. He scored an impressive 15 points in Germany's opening upset against world number two Japan (3:2) and the same number against the USA (2:3). He's eager for game number three. "Now we have a real final," Brehme says. "And that's the most fun."
Anton Brehme's impressive performances in volleyball have been a key factor in stirring up interest from the USA in the German team, as they aim to make an impact at the Olympics after a twelve-year absence. Despite a recent health scare in Manila's emergency room due to an inflamed facial nerve, Brehme is still playing at a high level and is a crucial player for Germany.
