VfB Suhl LOTTO Thüringen stunned previously unbeaten Allianz MTV Stuttgart 3–2 in a dramatic Bundesliga showdown, dealing the league leaders their first loss of the season.
Backed by 1,800 fans at the Wolfsgrube arena, Suhl prevailed 25–16, 20–25, 21–25, 25–20, 15–7 in a match that lasted nearly two hours and served as a preview of next week’s German Cup final, where the two teams will meet again in Mannheim.
Suhl dominated the opening set before Stuttgart regrouped to take the next two and move within a set of victory. The hosts responded with a strong fourth set, led by American outside hitter Mackenzie Foley, who scored a match-high 26 points. Monika Brancuska added 23 points and was named MVP.
Suhl controlled the decisive tiebreak from the start, racing to an 8–4 lead at the changeover and closing it out 15–7.