Canada sweeps Germany for back-to-back wins


FILE–Canada’s Danny Demyanenko during a VNL  2024 Week 3 game at Mall of Asia Arena. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Canada earned its second straight win in Manila after dominating Germany, 25-19, 25-18, 25-21, to bolster its Final Eight chances in the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) 2024 on Thursday at Mall of Asia Arena.

Buoyed by its five-set win over fan favorite Japan two days ago, Stephen Maar and Arthur Swarc dropped 15 points each to lift Canada to fifth place with a 6-4 record.

“I think we did a good job in serving and passing today. Our team had pretty flawless volleyball,” said Maar after nailing 14 kills. “Germany gave some good fight in the end and I think we handled it really well, so I’m happy for the team.”

VNL 2024 SCHEDULE: Week 3 Manila, Philippines leg

In Maar’s second time in the Philippines, he’s glad that he is now in better shape to play in front of Filipino fans.

“This is my second time in the Philippines. Last year, I was struggling a lot physically with my body. Obviously, it’s a long travel to come here so it’s not so easy sometimes. This year, we were able to be a bit more prepared and I think that’s really helping start off our week, so I’m really happy [and] grateful for all our medical staff who did a really good job,” the Canadian spiker said.

Sward had 11 kills, two blocks, and a pair of aces. Setter Luke Herr paced the Canadians, as Eric Loeppky added 11 points to stave off Germany’s last-ditch effort in the third set.

READ: VNL 2024: Canada denies fan favorite Japan in five sets

Canada eyes its third win in Manila against No.4 Brazil (6-3) on Friday at 3 p.m. The Brazilians still have a game against USA on Thursday evening before their crucial match.

“Brazil is obviously another gifted team, technically. Probably a bit more similar to Japan, they’re quite skilled in passing and blocking,” Maar said. “I think we’re gonna have to watch our game back, see what went well, what didn’t go well, see what we can do better to beat Brazil.”

Germany couldn’t sustain its momentum from a 25-23, 25-27, 25-20, 25-23 win over France less than 24 hours ago as it slid to a 4-6 record in 11th place.

György Grozer, who scored 21 points against France, sat out. Moritz Karlitzek stepped up for the Germans with 13 points. 



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Germany battles USA on Saturday at 11 a.m.

Germany beats France, stays in Final Eight hunt


Gyorgy Grozer of Germany during a game against France in the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) Week 3 in Manila.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — György Grozer stepped up for Germany with 21 points to stun France, 25-23, 25-27, 25-20, 25-23, to keep their Volleyball Nations League (VNL) Final Eight bid on track on Wednesday at Mall of Asia Arena.

The 39-year-old Grozer, who wasn’t part of last year’s Germany team in the VNL to focus on the Olympic qualifier, continued to prove that age is just a number as he led a balanced attack to beat contender France and improve to a 4-5 record for ninth place behind No. 8 Cuba (4-4).

“For me, this is my first game after a long time for the season to finish so of course, I have my mistakes still and it’s not going around but we are working on [it],” said Grozer after pounding 18 kills, two aces, and a block. 

VNL 2024 SCHEDULE: Week 3 Manila, Philippines leg

“I think today we did already really great things like [in] the team. We were fighting. In important moments we didn’t put down our heads, we stayed strong and we were fighting against really really strong team so I am glad that we won today.”

It’s Grozer’s first time to play in the Philippines and he’s loving the experience, playing in front of an ecstatic crowd.

“It was really great. I was really surprised and happy that we had so many fans today here and I mean, two different teams played [today] like France and Germany and there’s a great atmosphere in the gym,” said Grozer, who retired twice from volleyball in 2016 and 2020 but still decided to keep on playing. “I was really enjoying and thanks to all the Filipino fans who are supporting us and pushing us. It’s really great to play here in the Philippines.”

The Germans prevented the French from forcing a decider after fighting back from a 19-21 deficit in the fourth set. Lukas Maase took charge to give Germany a 23-22 lead but his error tied the set anew. Moritz Reichert and Grozer delivered the finishing blows for their second straight win coming off a Week 2 win over Turkey.

READ: VNL set for Manila leg with Japan and USA headlining

Maase and Reichert delivered 12 points each. Tobias Krick and Tobias Brand added 10 points, as setter Lukas Kampa’s playmaking led to five double-digit scorers.

Seeking to make it to the final week in Poland, Germany battles Canada in less than 24 hours on Thursday at 11 a.m.

France remained in fifth place with a 6-3 record tied with Japan as Jean Patry carried the team with 20 points off 17 attacks two blocks and an ace. Trevor Clevenot had 16 points to backstop Patry.

The French Spikers try to bounce back against Iran on Friday at 11 a.m.



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