In a recent development, the Berlin Volleys, the champions of German volleyball, showcased an impressive display of ambition and determination. Their aspiration was evident right after they secured their place in the quarter-finals of the Champions League. They achieved this feat through a clean sweep victory of 3-0 in their second leg against Tours VB. The team’s coach, Joel Banks, didn’t mince words when he proclaimed their desire to achieve even more in the tournament.
The path to further glory, however, is not an easy one. The Volleys are set to face the formidable Itas Trentino, Italy’s top-tier team, in the next round, which features the best eight teams. The first leg of the face-off is scheduled to be held on February 21st in Berlin, while the second leg will be played on February 29th at the South Tyroleans’ home ground.
The Volleys captain, Ruben Schott, reflected on their impressive performance in Tours. He stated, “In Tours, we sent a small signal that we are always a force to be reckoned with, even in Europe. We want to take this spirit with us into the duels against Trentino.” However, the past records do not paint a very promising picture for the Volleys. In both 2021 and 2022, they were eliminated in the quarter-finals of the premier class against Trentino.
Despite the daunting challenges, the Volleys are riding high on their recent victory. An 8-day gap from their 3-1 win in the first leg didn’t seem to affect their performance. On Thursday, they managed to keep their calm and deliver a convincing performance against their opponents. Playing in front of a packed crowd of 3,250 spectators in the sold-out cauldron in Tours, the team remained undeterred and focused on the game.
Reflecting on their performance, Banks said, “Not many teams here have gone 3-0 in recent years.” Schott agreed, attributing their success to their heart-filled play and risk-taking attitude, while also highlighting their good service in the game.
On Friday, the BR Volleys embarked on their flight back to Germany in high spirits. However, their destination was not Berlin, but Munich. Their journey continues as they have another task ahead of them in the Bundesliga. They are set to face the newly promoted ASV Dachau on Saturday at 8 p.m.
