Germany’s head coach Raúl Lozano strives with a vengeance for the participation in the final round of the 2009 European League in Portimao slated for July 18-19. The Argentinean coach appointed super star Jochen Schöps for the matches against Romania in Bamberg (11/7 at 7.30 p.m. and 12/7 at 5 p.m., both shown at www.laola1.tv); for the opposite playing in Russia with Odintsovo this is the first cap in this year’s European League.
Before the final preliminary round weekend, the German team is in best position to qualify for the final round, after titleholders Slovakia, European Champions Spain and host team Portugal already booked their respective tickets. Still, there are two victories needed, because Belgium is breathing down Germany’s neck by only having the worse set difference (Germany 25-16, Belgium 24-18). In case that Germany wins both matches and loses no more than 2 sets, the final round is safe. The squad looks differently compared to the last weekend: Sebastian Schwarz (Generali Haching) and Sebastian Krause (A10 Netzhoppers Königs Wusterhausen) will take a brake while Markus Steuerwald (VfB Friedrichfshafen) has his first appearance in 2009.
Raúl Lozano states about the matches with Romania: “We want to try to clearly win both matches against Romania, in order to qualify for the finals in Portugal independently from the results of Belgium. Nevertheless the main target remains the qualification for the World Championship. Therefore we will try to integrate Jochen Schöps slowly to give him the chance to find his rhythm. Probably he will make one match.”
His counterpart and forerunner as German head coach, Stelian Moculescu, thinks that Lozano’s way is right: “Raúl Lozano tries to introduce his ideas and to change things, which is good. Germany is the favorite and will win. They want to go to the Final Four and therefore they have to win.”
Before the final preliminary round weekend, the German team is in best position to qualify for the final round, after titleholders Slovakia, European Champions Spain and host team Portugal already booked their respective tickets. Still, there are two victories needed, because Belgium is breathing down Germany’s neck by only having the worse set difference (Germany 25-16, Belgium 24-18). In case that Germany wins both matches and loses no more than 2 sets, the final round is safe. The squad looks differently compared to the last weekend: Sebastian Schwarz (Generali Haching) and Sebastian Krause (A10 Netzhoppers Königs Wusterhausen) will take a brake while Markus Steuerwald (VfB Friedrichfshafen) has his first appearance in 2009.
Raúl Lozano states about the matches with Romania: “We want to try to clearly win both matches against Romania, in order to qualify for the finals in Portugal independently from the results of Belgium. Nevertheless the main target remains the qualification for the World Championship. Therefore we will try to integrate Jochen Schöps slowly to give him the chance to find his rhythm. Probably he will make one match.”
His counterpart and forerunner as German head coach, Stelian Moculescu, thinks that Lozano’s way is right: “Raúl Lozano tries to introduce his ideas and to change things, which is good. Germany is the favorite and will win. They want to go to the Final Four and therefore they have to win.”
