Matthew Anderson
This result totally reversed the outcome of the match played by these sides only a few weeks ago at the World League finals where Germany had rallied to a 3-2 win. Team USA totally outclassed their opponents in blocking (11 vs. 4) and scored also more aces (6 to 4) to improve their Olympic record with Germany to 2-0.
Matthew Anderson continued his strong form, scoring 15 points with an excellent 45% strike rate on spikes. USA captain Clayton Stanley was also very effective in attack. USA’s offence was well marshaled by Donald Suxho, who carried the majority of the setting load, finishing with an average of 11.67 per set, two more than anyone else in the match.
Germany’s top scorer, György Grozer, finished with 12 points, but he was responsible for many of the team’s wayward serves and spikes, which impacted on his effectiveness.
Even though the match was closer than the scoreboard indicates, the USA were never seriously challenged. In the first set Germany got off to a flying start, going up 4-0, but after calling a time-out to break the momentum the USA fought back to even the set 4-4. It was close from there all the way to the end of the set, which USA won 25-23.
For the first 21 points of the second set the teams were never more than two points apart, but then the USA took control, opening a five-point lead that they protected until the end to win the set 25-16.
Germany’s attacking play in the first two sets was far less efficient than their opponents’ and their spike effectiveness percentage was less than half of the USA’s. On defense the story was the same, as the USA block rate per set was also twice that of the Germans.
The third set began as the second ended, with USA controlling the majority of the points and opening a small lead. Germany rallied, particularly when facing seven match points, but was unable to claw back the difference.
USA, who have won two matches without dropping a set, take on fellow unbeaten team Brazil on Thursday, while Germany will face a Serbia team needing to win to stay in touch with the pool B leaders.
All the results from Olympic matches can be found here:
Volleyball – Men Volleyball – Women
