Michał Winiarski has something to think about. Germany fails at the start of the Nations League
Not long ago, the Germans could enjoy their victory over the Polish national team, but now the mood is worse. Michał Winiarski's players started the Nations League with two defeats.
Michał Winiarski has done a great job with the German national team so far. At the end of the previous national team season, his players sensationally qualified for the Olympic Games, playing in a group with the Italians and Brazilians. The Germans also played solidly in the friendly match against Poland, which they won in Spodek in Katowice 3-1. However, their opening of the Nations League is bad.
Michał Winiarski has something to think about
In the first match of this year's Nations League, Germany defeated Italy. This time they turned out to be much weaker than Italy, losing 0:3 (21:25, 18:25, 23:25). Interestingly, in the third set our western neighbors were leading 23:19 and it seemed that they were heading for victory in that set. From that moment on, however, their form seemed to decline, which the Italian representatives took advantage of.
A similar situation occurred in the second match of the Nations League, in which Germany competed with Cuba. In this case, Filip John and company won one set (24:26, 20:25, 25:28, 23:25). As for this match, the players led by Winiarski had a several-point advantage in the fourth set (21:17) and it seemed that they would lead to a tie break. However, there was a lack of concentration on their side again, which meant that after two matches they have 0 points in the Nations League table.
The results are not Winiarski's only concern
During the match against Kuba, we also saw a dangerous situation involving Tobias Brand – a receiver known from playing for Bogdanka LUK Lublin. He suffered an unlucky injury in the third set.
While falling down the block, the German unfortunately stepped on the leg of an opposing team player and probably sprained his ankle. He left the field with the help of his teammates. Therefore, Winiarski will have to rearrange the composition of his team.