"Painful" five-part crime drama ends dramatically for Germany
The final serve goes straight out: After leading 2:0 in sets, the German volleyball team misses out on a spot in the semifinals. Olympic champions and hosts France prove more savvy. Georg Grozer laments a "sad story".
Ruben Schott took one last risk - and hammered the ball out. In Hall Sud, a wave of jubilation erupted, and Georg Grozer crumbled. The German volleyball ace's medal dream had burst dramatically. Despite leading 2:0 in sets against hosts France, Germany lost 2:3 in a thriller that lasted nearly two hours, ending their Olympic comeback. Disappointment and sorrow were written all over their faces.
"It's a sad story, terrible, painful," said Grozer, after finally gathering himself and leaving the court. Alone, he had stayed there after the final serve error in the tiebreak. What was going through his mind? "That these were my last Olympics. We fought, we fought - but it wasn't enough," said the 39-year-old Grozer.
Coach Michal Winiarski's team had pushed the reigning Olympic champions to the brink with a strong performance. But like in the quarterfinal loss in London in 2012, their journey ended in Paris, among the best eight. The bare numbers of another volleyball drama: 25:18, 28:26, 20:25, 21:25, 13:15.
"Maybe it was the lack of experience in the end, after all, the French are Olympic champions, they know exactly what this game is about. Maybe they also had a bit more luck," said Schott: "But we can be incredibly proud of ourselves, even if it hurts now."
Greatest German success is 52 years old
The DDR team's silver medal in 1972 was the greatest success of a German team so far. Grozer and his teammates wanted to follow suit 52 years later, their ambitions backed up by their performance in the preliminary round: With two wins against Japan (3:2) and Argentina (3:0), and a narrow loss to the three-time Olympic champions USA (2:3), Germany advanced to the knockout round.
There, a back-and-forth battle unfolded with some spectacular rallies. Germany pulled ahead midway through the first set, benefiting from French mistakes. The French started the second set stronger, each point cheered loudly. The DVV team kept up, but found it harder against France's block-field defense.
The hosts also handled Germany's powerful serves better, with Earvin N'Gapeth finding his rhythm. Germany stayed in the game, but Grozer's set-winning point didn't change the course of the match. France clawed their way back, won their first, then their second set, and the atmosphere in the arena boiled over.
Despite their strong performance in the preliminary round, including a win against Japan in volleyball, Germany failed to secure a spot in the semifinals. The team, led by volleyball ace Georg Grozer, lost 2:3 to hosts and Olympic champions France, with the deciding set going to France 15:13.
In the heart of the thrilling match, German player Ruben Schott took a risk, but unfortunately hammered the ball out, leading to a wave of jubilation in Hall Sud and ultimately sealing Germany's fate.
