Berlin Volleys Stumble in Champions League Qualifier against SVG Lüneburg
The Berlin Volleys’ pursuit of a berth in the Volleyball Champions League quarterfinals hit a roadblock on Wednesday as they were dealt a 3-2 (19:25, 25:23, 23:25, 26:24, 25:27) setback in the first leg of their all-German qualifying tie against SVG Lüneburg.
In front of a partisan crowd of 3,200 spectators, Lüneburg’s middle blocker Simon Torwie emerged as the standout performer on the court.
The thrilling encounter reached its climax in a nail-biting tiebreak that was settled only after 11 match points, with Lüneburg prevailing on the eleventh. The Volleys, for their part, squandered two match points at 21:20 and 25:24. The second leg of the tie will be held on February 26 in Berlin.
Both sides entered the contest shorthanded. For the hosts, attacker Theo Mohwinkel was hampered by an injury, while head coach Stefan Hübner was sidelined due to illness. The visitors, meanwhile, had been hit hard by a flu outbreak that disrupted their preparations.
Lüneburg enjoyed a distinct advantage in blocking throughout much of the match and generated more pressure with their serves than their opponents. Notably, Berlin’s outside hitters Ruben Schott and Moritz Reichert missed several scoring opportunities against the spirited Lüneburg defense. In the fourth set, the visitors let slip a comfortable 20:14 lead, nearly failing to force a tiebreak.
Match Overview
The opening set was a tight affair, with Lüneburg eventually prevailing 25:19. Mittelblocker Torwie proved instrumental, scoring crucial points and setting the tone for the hosts.
Berlin responded in the second set, overcoming a 16:14 deficit to level the match at one set apiece. Outside hitter Robert Kromm led the charge for the Volleys, showcasing his attacking prowess.
The third set was another close contest, with Lüneburg edging out the Volleys 25:23. The hosts’ strong blocking continued to pay dividends, while Berlin struggled to find consistency in their attack.
In the fourth set, the Volleys seized the initiative early on and built a 20:14 advantage. However, Lüneburg staged a remarkable comeback, saving multiple set points and ultimately tying the match at 2-2 with a 26:24 victory.
The tiebreak was a back-and-forth thriller. Both teams traded blows, with neither able to pull away convincingly. In the end, Lüneburg converted their eleventh match point to seal the win.
Player Performances
Simon Torwie was the driving force behind Lüneburg’s triumph, excelling in both attack and defense. His 20 points, including five blocks, proved invaluable for the hosts.
Opposite hitter Jan Zimmermann also made significant contributions for Lüneburg, contributing 15 points and keeping the Volleys’ defense on edge with his powerful serves.
For Berlin, outside hitter Ruben Schott led the scoring with 22 points, but his performance was marked by some uncharacteristic errors. Robert Kromm, with 18 points, was another key attacker for the Volleys.
Implications
Despite the setback in Lüneburg, the Berlin Volleys remain the favorites to progress to the quarterfinals. However, Lüneburg have shown that they are a formidable opponent and will be no pushovers in the second leg.
The return match in Berlin on February 26 promises to be a high-stakes affair. The Volleys will need to improve their blocking and reduce their errors if they are to avoid being eliminated from the tournament. Lüneburg, on the other hand, will be aiming to make the most of their home-court advantage and pull off a stunning upset.
