Germany – team
After Russia and Poland had qualified for the 2012 Olympics by topping the standings of the FIVB World Cup held this past November in Japan, while the 2011 European silver medalists of Italy had pocketed their pass in early May after claiming the Continental qualifier in Sofia, three more teams have joined the group that includes, quite evidently, also the hosting country, i.e. Great Britain.
As they participated in the Olympic qualifying event that got started some ten days ago in Tokyo, the 2011 European champions of Serbia swept all of their matches there, conceding only one set to their opponents in seven matches, with the sole 3:1 win resulting from their clash with Korea. As they are missing some of the stars who wrote a good share of Volleyball history this past decade, e.g. Ivan Miljkovic and Nikola Grbic, the Serbians found back their best play after a couple of pretty disappointing campaigns at the World Cup as well as at the European qualifier in Sofia. Serbia will be vying for additional glory in London after the then Yugoslavia had stood on top of the podium in Sydney back 12 years ago.
As for Germany, the group around Belgian-born head coach Vital Heynen delighted the home fans in Berlin by sweeping three matches in a row, including a breathtaking five-setter against Cuba, where the Caribbeans could not capitalize on a couple of match balls. After edging the 2010 vice World champions on Saturday, the much awaited triumph and party followed on Sunday as Georg Grozer & Co. powered past the Czech Republic of Jan Stokr with the score of 3:1. Vital Heynen said after the “final match” with the Czechs: “It was the toughest day of the tournament. We needed the win while the Czech Republic didn’t mind about winning or losing. It wasn’t a very good game. We didn’t show our full potential but it was enough”. “It’s a very emotional moment for us and we are very proud of our qualification for the Olympic Games. It was a tough game. The Czechs didn’t have any strain while it was about everything for us. They put us under pressure but we fought hard against it and deserved the win. It’s an honor for us to participate in the Olympic Games” stated team captain Björn Andrae. Germany celebrates hence its second consecutive participation in the Olympics after the previous generation had attained the same goal 4 years ago while the group was being mentored by Stelian Moculescu.
A similar adventure experienced the guys of Bulgaria who, after missing out on an Olympic berth this past May, regrouped under their head coach Radostin Stoytchev to make it to London 2012 via three consecutive home wins to cruise past Pakistan, France and Egypt in Sofia. “A dream comes true and a few people know that this victory was really suffered. I want to thank my assistant coach Camillo Placì and to say that our team deserved this victory” said a very emotional Stoytchev. With this result Bulgaria returns back to the Olympic arena after their 2008 campaign in Beijing ended in the 1/4 finals after losing 1:3 to Russia.
The final starting field of the men’s Volleyball tournament in London: Great Britain (host), Russia, Poland, Brazil (1st, 2nd and 3rd placed of the 2011 FIVB World Cup), Tunisia, United States, Italy, Argentina and Australia (winners of the CAVB, NORCECA, CEV, CSV and AVC Olympic qualifying events), plus Germany, Bulgaria and Serbia (winners of the three World Olympic Qualification tournaments).
