“Only the beginning” Volleyball players draw courage after Orthmann-Aus
Antonia Stautz (M) and Marie Schölzel try to block the ball from Azerbaijan’s Polina Rahimova (l). photo
© Thomas Banneyer/dpa
Hanna Orthmann’s failure at the European Championship came as a shock to the volleyball players. But team, coach and fans help each other. The second game helps.
After an emotional victory, national volleyball coach Vital Heynen courageously grabbed the microphone and immediately issued the motto for the remaining home preliminary rounds of the European Championship. “You made the difference with your support. We need it again. That’s just the beginning. Thank you, thank you, thank you!” the Belgian called out to the 2,355 spectators in the Düsseldorf hall after the 3-1 win against Azerbaijan on Saturday evening to. This Monday we continue at the same place against Sweden (8 p.m.).
The second win in the second game had a very special value because of the circumstances. Because almost 24 hours earlier, Heynen and his team had been given bitter news: For key player Hanna Orthmann, the home preliminary round is over due to an injury.
Stigrot: “It’s difficult for us without Hanna”
It was all the more important for the team to react immediately, also to gain courage for the rest of the tournament. Captain Lena Stigrot went ahead with 19 points. “I’ve decided to attack a bit like Hanna today and bring her onto the field. Luckily that worked out quite well,” said the 28-year-old. “Because it’s difficult for us without Hanna. I’m really proud of my team and how we solved it today.”
The team made no secret of the fact that the shock at the loss of the important points guarantor and option on the diagonal position was deep at first. “Nobody expected the news. It also took a while to digest it,” said outside attacker Lina Alsmeier. “It’s a big change, but we have to keep looking. It’s sport, it can happen, it really hurts,” said Stigrot.
But the national team remembered the strength that had also brought unexpected success in the Nations League. “That every player contributes something,” said Stigrot. “It wasn’t always just Hanna. We had to make it clear again that it can stay that way.”
Heynen also used the term team in a big way. It was important that everyone stick together: players, support staff and the fans. “Everyone has to throw everything in and then have a look,” he said.
Orthmann: “Really proud of the girls”
The spectators in the sold-out hall drove the German volleyball players to a dominant first set and were there immediately in the fourth round when the game was on the brink for a moment. “I had goosebumps throughout the last ten minutes. It was so much fun and really pushed us forward again,” said Stigrot.
And the 54-year-old Heynen also played his part and was particularly active on the sidelines, even by his standards. “You can’t do that every week. Then the team says: He’s crazy,” he said. “But that was a day when I think that’s my job.”
Orthmann himself was celebrated on the field after the game. She watched the game from the stands. “Of course I would have preferred to be on the field, but I’m super proud of what my girls have done,” said the 24-year-old. “Knowing with the two wins that we can beat these teams without Hanna is really important for us,” said captain Stigrot. This should also work in the last three games in Düsseldorf.
dpa
#Subjects
