Germans pump life on last eight bid

MANILA, Philippines — Germany knew before flying to the Philippines that it would need to summon all the strength and courage it could for it to have a chance at making it to the final round of the Men’s Volleyball Nations League.

It did.

And fancied France was the unwilling victim as the Eagles overcame the Roosters in a 25-23, 25-27, 25-20, 25-23 victory yesterday that boosted the hopes of the Germans to catch the eighth and last ticket to the final round.

Gyorgy Grozer went on a spiking spree, coming through with a match-best 21 points he laced with 18 kills as the Germans jumped from 11th to ninth with 12 points on a 4-5 record.

Jean Patry and Trevor Clevenot paced France with 20 and 17 hits.

Germany was actually tied for eighth with Cuba and Argentina but the Cubans had the highest set ratio while the Argentines had the worst.

For the Germans, whose last two biggest feats came half a century ago when they struck gold in the 1969 World Cup in East Germany and 1970 World Championship in Bulgaria, to make the final eight, they would need to sweep their last three games here in the third and final week of group stage action.

Germany plays dangerous Canada today, powerhouse United States Saturday and last-placer Iran Sunday.

In its last five participations in this annual event, Germany failed to progress past the preliminary phase as its best finish came six years ago when it wound up ninth with a 7-8 record.

This could be the year the dry spell would end for the Michal Winiarski-coached Germans.

The French, for their part, remained at No. 5 with 17 points despite absorbing their third defeat against six wins.

Interestingly, the Roosters would have a chance to avenge their stinging defeat to the Eagles with a possible clash in the Olympics next month in Paris.

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