Defeat against Italy: The German volleyball players missed direct Olympic qualification on Saturday (September 23, 2023).
Coach Vital Heynen’s team lost 0:3 (20:25, 22:25, 15:25) against favorite Italy at the qualifying tournament in Lodz. Due to the second defeat in the sixth game, the selection of the German Volleyball Association no longer has a chance of jumping into one of the first two places in the group, which brings a ticket to Paris 2024.
The first set clearly went to the Italians. In the second round, the Germans fought back from a long deficit, but ultimately lost the set. In the third set, the DVV selection initially held its own before the Italian team pulled away.
Now it’s all about points for the world rankings
After the narrow 2:3 against Poland on Friday, it was the second defeat in a row for the German team. In the last group game against the USA on Sunday (5.30 p.m.) the team is now aiming for points for the world rankings. Next June offers one last chance for the Germans to take part in the Olympics for the first time since Athens 2004.
Two starting places for the Olympics will be awarded in each of the three groups of eight in Poland, China and Japan. All group opponents play against each other once. Another chance at the Olympic Games will be in June next year via the world rankings, for which every game counts.