Seven weeks can be a long time. With the full focus on the sport the training center allows in Kienbaum, at one time the quiet was too much for volleyball players and their coaches. “It can certainly start, so slowly. Over the past few days, a little cabin fever has started,” says outside attacker Jennifer Janiska, a few days before the start of the World Cup in the Netherlands and Poland.
National coach Vital Heinen agrees. “Seven weeks was too long,” says the Belgian. “Five kilometers, then the first home comes where you can find something.” The team’s opening match against Bulgaria (7pm / Sportdeutschland.tv) is set to take place on Sunday in Arnhem, Netherlands. Then it is against Kazakhstan, Serbia, USA and Canada. The top four teams in the group advance to Round Two.
Everyone appreciates the preparation and the conditions. The team found its rhythm and worked carefully. And apparently it didn’t spoil the atmosphere. “I must say that I have not experienced such team spirit and team spirit in a long time,” says Janiska. Everyone wants the tournament to start now.
“It’s a really interesting mix that we have,” says Lena Stigroot. Age match is good. Some players in particular, such as SC Potsdam’s Laura Emonts, who is back after a long break, would fit in very well with the team. “It is difficult for opponents to prepare for Germany,” Heenen says. “We have 14 clowns.” The team is changeable, may play a more classic system, but also new ones with three experts up for approval.
who is good for every man
After successful years as a men’s coach, change continues for Henen, who dared to make the leap to the women’s team at the start of the year. “Of course I learned a lot, but almost every day I still think: Wow, I didn’t think about that,” says the Belgian. It is a change of attitude that can do good to any person. Regarding the coach, Stigroot says, “We are like sponges that absorb their experience and their trust in their teams.”
The team is in an intermediate stage after exceptional player Louisa Lippmann moved to beach volleyball. In the Nations League in the summer, the team narrowly missed the final round. Regarding the World Cup target, Janiska says, “We definitely want to reach the early stages.” Above all, Heenen wants to see good performances. They have long term plans. DPA
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