Berlin fends off match point
New volleyball record champion will be crowned in playoff
April 23, 2024, 9:51 p.m
Subscription champion Berlin Volleys is aiming for the eighth championship in a row and the double, VfB Friedrichshafen the first title since 2015. Whoever becomes the sole record champion has to decide the final game – because the team from Lake Constance in particular missed several match points in the fourth game.
VfB Friedrichshafen has to face a decisive fifth duel with the Berlin Volleys in the fight for the German volleyball championship. Despite a 2-1 lead in the set, the club from Lake Constance also missed their second chance to join the German team by losing 2-3 (25:23, 15:25, 25:23, 19:25, 13:15) in the exciting fourth game to choose champions.
After the 2-0 lead for Friedrichshafen in the final series in the best of five mode, the score is now 2-2. On Sunday (4 p.m.) it will be decided in Berlin who will be this year’s title holder and at the same time the German record champion for the 14th championship. For the subscription champion Berlin it’s about the eighth championship in a row and the double, for VfB it’s about the first VBL title since 2015.
In front of 1,000 spectators in the sold-out arena in Friedrichshafen, ultimately only small things decided the first and third sets. VfB made fewer mistakes in the decisive phase of the opening set, then the guests improved and drew level thanks to an early five-point lead. Middle blocker Nehemiah Mote was outstanding for the guests and had spectacular scenes in both attack and defense. The fourth round in particular brought drama.
The BR Volleys seemed to be well on their way to the tiebreak with a score of 9:3. The team from Lake Constance brought back their serving strength, with only one set missing from winning the championship title. But the guests from the capital stayed cool and equalized the set. In the tiebreak, the Friedrichshafen team fell behind by three points. The hosts shortened the score again, but had to admit defeat in the end.