Germany - VBL 1. Bundesliga 2023/24

Quote from Matthias

It wasn't nearly as clear as the result says. Dresden was leading 23:16 in 1st set and 20:17 in 3rd but nobody terminated the ball when it counted. Janiska's attack performance was embarassing, Jasper is a limited player and Frohling just is not it yet. However Jimerson as MB is really impressive, Dresden's best transfer besides Jegdic

Potsdam played without reception but very aggressive in attack. I expected Lazaro to be first setter but Guncheva did a really good job!

Dresden for now seems to have the exact same problems like last year. Way too little firepower in attack (except Jimerson). Jasper did a decent job but it needs a tall and strong attacker besides her. Janiska was really bad today. I don't understand, why Waibl did not substitute her. Also Lemmens was invisible. Frohling had some great attacks but she's far away from the stable scorer, Dresden will probably need. BTW Berger and Grbavica will still be out for many weeks so Dresden has very little substitute options in near future (especially since Fidon-Lebleu seems to have some issues as well..)

Potsdam was extremely aggressive in attacking. With Taubner and Harbin they have an extraordinary duo on the OPP position. Also Kokkonen and Buterez were great.

I also think Dresden is too weak again this season to be among the top three teams, most likely they will end up being fourth or fifth like last season. Waibl is far too optimistic IMHO.

Yesterday four three set wins, from which was only remarkable Dresdens in Wiesbaden, I had expected a really close match - likely Wiesbaden played less well as in Stuttgart and Dresden better as against Potsdam.

The expected close match happened in Vilsbiburg, where the hosts Rote Raben won only in tie-break after trailing 0:1 and 1:2 in sets against Suhl.

Dresden was better than against Potsdam mainly because Frohling was really good and Jegdic was amazing as always.

Dresden played with only 11 players. Fidon-Lebleu was missing. I really wonder whats up with her. She even barely played in the test matches. For now Dresden only has Boonstra as substitute for OH and OPP.

By the way. I saw that Vilsbiburg only had 9 players in their roster for the last two matches...

And Rivers didn't even have to travel to Münster. Of course the Supercup is on Sunday, but that's still strange.

In terms of spectators, the first two match days were also a success, as despite the many turbulences surrounding several clubs, the number of spectators was kept quite stable compared to the previous season. The sold-out Supercup is also a good sign. Despite two fewer clubs in the league, it shows that volleyball is, as in the previous season, number 2 behind football in women's sports. It remains to be hoped that this will not change over the course of the season.

As Schwerin has 2 of my 3 favourite Dutch VBL players (Nova & Indy) I will be supporting them, but still hoping for some Jolien playing time & power I registered yesterday already (as I got confused with the date lol) so hopefully it works and I can watch it live!

Sportklub 4 will broadcast too

Both teams with unstable reception so far. Power of Rivers made the difference eventually.

I really love this "mein block" song they're playing

The game is enjoyable so far! Wish there would be more slide/first tempo attacks but I guess passing isn't good enough for that - although it seems better than set 1. If Schwerin can't stop Rivers soon they will be in trouble

Kästner lacks connection with almost all players

Bongaerts and Rivers do have a good connection and I also found Haneline pretty good. Never heard of her before but a nice suprise to me. On Schwerin's side Tutku had some nice angles but nobody stood out to me

Kayla Hanline played for Dresden in the previous season and kept them often alive alongside with Monique Strubbe (also now in Stuttgart) as middles, due to the lack in attack power of Dresden with OHs and opposites.

Anyway, due to the difficulties in preparation for Stuttgart before this match this was a rather acceptable performance. And now finally won the supercup a second time, where the team somewhat underperformed in the last years.

Quote from Matthias

Laszlo Hollosy got banned for five matches for his behavior in the last match

Where did you read this?