Robert Kromm
Now the 22-year old Austrian Thomas Zass, also a newcomer to the heavily modified VfB team, is the only remaining diagonal attackers.
The experienced Victor Batista Lemos (Dominican Republic) and José Manuel Rivera (Puerto Rico) to bring more consistency and precision in attack and adoption. The most important requirement, however, for all tasks is Max Günthör. The native “Häfler” returns after five years back in Düren and Unterhaching. “Günthör is very important for us because he is a unifying figure,” said Stelian Moculescu.
His longtime trainer and promoter Mihai Paduretu said: “I’m not mad or anything,he goes home. We wish Max all the best.“
“Nano” Steuerwald returns to Haching
As a replacement for Günthör, Haching committed the 2.07-meter Belgian Matias Raymaekers and 2.05-meter Konstantin Shumov. The Finn with Russian roots comes as the Dutch international Jan Willem Snippe from the Italian Serie A1. In mid-September, surprisingly also returned setter Patrick Steuerwald after Haching where he matured. “We are confident that we will keep him until the end of the season“, said Mihai Paduretu.
“Generally,” said VfB manager Mau, “there are more players in the market, than it were two years ago.” So the BR Volleys national player Robert Kromm obsolete after seven years abroad, returned to the capital. “We were in Verona in a section of about 3,000 spectators,” said the veteran. “In Berlin, I will hopefully enjoy playing in front of 7,000 or 8,000 people. The average attendance was a good indicator of what the leaders make the club, how they acquire sponsors or lure people into the hall. This is an aspect that has impressed me. The environment is just right,” said Kromm.
TV Buhl can play a good role
After the top three in the league again and again the name of the distinguished club TV Buhl is heard when it comes to qualifying for a good placement. Manager Georgios Vlachojannis is happy indeed about the compliments of the competition, but with reference to the many young players on board, he says: “We’re not too excited. Our goal is first direct qualification for the play-offs” The key signings for the club from Baden are the Australian international Adam White (foreign adoption) and the young, Serbian setter Luka Cubrilo.
Breaks in Düren and at CV Mitteldeutschland
Of the clubs in the bottom half CV Mitteldeutschland and Sachsen-Anhalt were the most active. Because the departure of numerous performers such as Mark Siebeck and Christian Langer, coach Matthias Münz has changed his team thoroughly. Only a handful of players from the last season is still in the squad. Among other things, the middle blocker Artur Augustyn and Philip Ichovski came from Poland and Austria. Lawson Bradley was chosen for the diagonal position. And Erik Shoji, the younger brother of Berlin setter Kawika brings Hawaiian flair to the CV Mitteldeutschland.
Evivo Düren also has rebuilt the squad after a disappointing preseason. Also the new coach Michael Mücke can work with seven new players. TV Rottenburg sat up on the return of middle blocker Tibor Filo. The Netzhoppers have signed with 2.05-meter Nicolai Kracht from Düren. Up VC Dresden builds the team on the basis of the Polish middle blocker Alan Wasilewski from Warsaw and setter Santino Rost from VC Gotha.
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