Sport berlin. Berlin: The Ultimate Sports Metropolis – Top Events, Venues, and Activities

What makes Berlin Germany’s number one sports city. How does Berlin regularly host top international events. Which cutting-edge sports venues can you find in Berlin. Why are Berliners the heart and soul of this sports metropolis.

Table of Contents

Berlin’s Status as Germany’s Premier Sports City

Berlin has firmly established itself as Germany’s undisputed sports capital. The city’s rich sporting heritage, world-class facilities, and passionate fan base have propelled it to the forefront of the national and international sports scene. But what exactly sets Berlin apart from other major cities in Germany when it comes to sports?

Unparalleled variety of sporting events
State-of-the-art venues and infrastructure
Enthusiastic and welcoming local population
Strong support from local government and businesses
Rich sporting history and tradition

These factors combine to create a unique sporting atmosphere that is hard to match elsewhere in the country. From professional leagues to amateur competitions, Berlin offers a diverse range of sporting experiences for both participants and spectators alike.

International Sporting Events That Put Berlin on the Global Map

Berlin’s reputation as a sports metropolis is bolstered by its ability to host major international events. The city has become a go-to destination for organizers of prestigious championships and tournaments. Which events have contributed to Berlin’s sporting pedigree?

European and world championships across various sports
2015 UEFA Champions League final
Annual Berlin Marathon
ISTAF (International Stadium Festival) athletics meeting
German Open tennis tournament

These events not only showcase Berlin’s organizational capabilities but also attract thousands of visitors, boosting the local economy and further cementing the city’s status as a sports hub.

Iconic Sports Venues That Define Berlin’s Sporting Landscape

Berlin’s impressive array of sports venues plays a crucial role in its ability to host world-class events and nurture local talent. From historic stadiums to modern arenas, the city boasts facilities that cater to a wide range of sports. Which are some of the most notable venues in Berlin?

Olympiastadion (Olympic Stadium)

The Olympiastadion is perhaps Berlin’s most famous sports venue. Built for the 1936 Olympic Games, this historic stadium has since undergone extensive renovations to become a modern, multi-purpose arena. It regularly hosts football matches, athletics events, and concerts.

Mercedes-Benz Arena

Formerly known as the O2 World, this state-of-the-art indoor arena is home to Berlin’s professional ice hockey and basketball teams. With a capacity of up to 17,000 spectators, it also hosts major concerts and other entertainment events.

Velodrom

The Velodrom is Europe’s largest fixed cycling track arena. It hosts various cycling events and competitions, as well as concerts and other performances. The venue’s unique design and excellent acoustics make it a favorite among both athletes and music fans.

Max-Schmeling-Halle

Named after the famous German boxer, this multi-purpose indoor arena is primarily used for handball, volleyball, and boxing events. It’s also a popular venue for concerts and trade fairs.

An der Alten Försterei

Home to 1. FC Union Berlin, this football stadium is known for its unique atmosphere and passionate fans. It’s one of the few remaining stadiums in Germany with a significant number of standing places, contributing to its electric matchday experience.

The Role of Berliners in Shaping the City’s Sporting Culture

While impressive venues and high-profile events are important, it’s the people of Berlin who truly breathe life into the city’s sporting scene. How do Berliners contribute to Berlin’s status as a sports metropolis?

Enthusiastic support for local teams and athletes
Active participation in amateur sports and fitness activities
Warm welcome extended to visiting fans and athletes
Volunteer work during major sporting events
Preservation and celebration of the city’s sporting heritage

The passion and dedication of Berliners create an infectious atmosphere that enhances the sporting experience for everyone involved, from professional athletes to casual spectators.

Popular Sports and Teams in Berlin

Berlin’s diverse sporting landscape is reflected in the variety of popular sports and successful teams based in the city. Which sports and teams enjoy the most support in Berlin?

Football

Football remains the most popular sport in Berlin, with several professional teams calling the city home. Hertha BSC and 1. FC Union Berlin compete in the Bundesliga, Germany’s top football division, attracting thousands of fans to their matches.

Basketball

ALBA Berlin is one of Germany’s most successful basketball teams, with a strong following in the city. The team competes in both the German Basketball Bundesliga and the EuroLeague.

Ice Hockey

The Eisbären Berlin (Berlin Polar Bears) are a dominant force in German ice hockey, with multiple championship titles to their name. Their games at the Mercedes-Benz Arena are often sell-out events.

Handball

Füchse Berlin (Berlin Foxes) represent the city in handball, competing in the Handball-Bundesliga and European competitions. The team has a dedicated fan base and has achieved notable success in recent years.

Athletics

Berlin has a strong tradition in athletics, hosting the annual ISTAF meeting and producing numerous Olympic and world champions in various disciplines.

Amateur Sports and Recreational Activities in Berlin

Beyond professional sports, Berlin offers a wealth of opportunities for amateur athletes and fitness enthusiasts. How can residents and visitors get involved in sports activities in the city?

Numerous sports clubs catering to various interests and skill levels
Public parks and green spaces ideal for jogging, cycling, and team sports
Indoor and outdoor swimming pools throughout the city
Climbing walls and bouldering gyms
Ice skating rinks in winter
Watersports on Berlin’s lakes and rivers

The city’s commitment to promoting an active lifestyle is evident in the wide range of facilities and programs available to the public, making it easy for everyone to engage in their favorite sports or try something new.

The Economic Impact of Sports on Berlin

The sports industry plays a significant role in Berlin’s economy, generating revenue and creating jobs across various sectors. How does sports contribute to the city’s economic well-being?

Tourism boost from major sporting events
Employment opportunities in sports-related businesses
Revenue from ticket sales, merchandise, and broadcasting rights
Increased investment in sports infrastructure
Positive impact on related industries such as hospitality and retail

The economic benefits of Berlin’s thriving sports scene extend far beyond the stadiums and arenas, contributing to the overall prosperity of the city and its residents.

Future of Sports in Berlin: Upcoming Events and Developments

Berlin’s status as a sports metropolis is set to grow even further in the coming years. What can we expect from the city’s sporting future?

Continued investment in sports infrastructure
Bids for hosting major international events
Development of new sports technology and innovation hubs
Expansion of grassroots sports programs
Increased focus on sustainability in sports

With its strong foundation and forward-thinking approach, Berlin is well-positioned to remain at the forefront of the global sports scene for years to come.

In conclusion, Berlin’s status as Germany’s premier sports city is the result of a unique combination of world-class facilities, passionate fans, diverse sporting opportunities, and a rich sporting heritage. From hosting major international events to nurturing grassroots participation, the city offers a comprehensive sports experience that is hard to match. As Berlin continues to invest in its sporting infrastructure and attract top-tier events, its position as a true sports metropolis is only set to grow stronger in the future.

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When it comes to sports, Berlin is Germany’s number one. The city has regularly hosted a glittering array of top international events, including European and world championships in a wide range of sports, as well as the 2015 UEFA Champions League final. Berlin also boasts cutting-edge sports venues, from the famous Olympiastadion (Olympic Stadium) to the renowned Mercedes-Benz Arena, from the iconic Velodrom to the popular Max-Schmeling-Halle and the one-of-a-kind An der Alten Försterei stadium. And the Berliners themselves are the heart and soul of this sports metropolis, not only warmly welcoming the many festive fan groups in their bright club colours, but also loving the thrills of different sports – and only too happy to celebrate their own sporting heroes. Anyone taking a stroll across Tempelhofer Feld park on a sunny day can see just how much Berlin residents enjoy that sporting life – with everything from traditional kick-abouts to a game of Quidditch (though minus flying broomsticks in the Muggle world!).

As a sports metropolis, Berlin is also inspired by its many top clubs. Football club Hertha BSC, fondly dubbed the “Old Lady”, belonged to the founding members of the Bundesliga. In Köpenick in Berlin’s south-east, 1. FC Union Berlin has an enviable fan base, with loyal fans cheering on the successful fight into the First Bundesliga. When it comes to ice hockey, the Eisbären Berlin can boast a total of seven German championship titles. The Alba Berlin basketball club is ranked among the leaders in both German and European basketball. In handball, the Füchse Berlin are regularly ranked among the top competitors for national and European titles. And over on the volleyball court, the Berlin Recycling Volleys impressively showed their dominance in volleyball between 2012 and 2019 by winning seven German championships in a row – and collected their fourth national DVV Cup, the national championship and the CEV European Cup in 2016.

But Berlin also has many events drawing thousands of locals out onto the streets and thrilling the fans – including the BMW Berlin-Marathon, which regularly sees over 40,000 runners at the starting line and is always good for a new world record. In cycling, the Velothon Berlin offers both a professional and high-level mass-participation cycle race – which is why the Velothon series has grown since 2008 to one of the largest cycle race of its kind in Europe. For thrills on two wheels, Berlin’s sports classics also include the popular Six Day Cycle Race, which attracts a broad audience of sports fans. The top names in track and field events can be found at the ISTAF Berlin – International Stadium Festival Berlin – in the city’s legendary Olympiastadion and at the ISTAF INDOOR in the Mercedes-Benz Arena, both enjoyed by many Berlin families, complete with children and friends. Since 1985, Berlin has also been home to the DFB Cup final, drawing football fans from all across Germany for one of the season’s absolute highlights. And at the latest since the football World Cup in 2006, all around the globe people know the meaning of those magic words – “See you at the final in Berlin!”

Berlin is the place for sport, whether you are a professional or amateur athlete. As soon as the sun comes out, the city’s parks become a buzzing hive of activity, where locals come to relax and enjoy a whole host of activities and sports, from frisbee-throwing and table tennis to rock climbing. The city also offers more exclusive sports such as polo and golf. And wherever you go, the formula is the same: fitness plus fun equals relaxation.

Built in 1936, the grand Olympic Stadium (Olympiastadion) is the venue for many of Berlin’s largest football matches. The Hertha BSC football team regularly play at the stadium in the First Division (Bundesliga), competing against other prominent German teams. Soccer is a very popular sport in Germany and more recently has received even more interest after the announcement that Germany will be staging the World Cup in 2006.

In Berlin there are plenty of places to swim and in the summer these include the nearby beaches in West Berlin, on Wannsee and Tegeler See, or Grosser Müggelsee, which is located in the East. There are public pools at Bad am Spreewaldplatz, Wiener Strasse 59, in Kreuzberg and also at one of Berlin’s largest sports centre, The Sport- und Erholungszentrum (SEZ), Landsberger Allee 77, in Friedrichshain.

The most popular sport in Germany and in Berlin is football. It is played all over the city with several local teams to support.
Hertha BSC Berlin – The city’s highest professional football team traditionally hails from the West and plays at the awe-inspiring Olympic Stadium. usually in the erste Bundesliga (first devision), the team was relegated to second division after a disastrous 2009/2010 season. Luckily, they came back in the next season on top and will be re-joining the erste Bundesliga.
FC Union Berlin – The city’s “Eastern” team brings out an even more fervent fan base, despite the team’s usually lower ranking than Hertha. Union usually competes in the zweite and dritte bundesliga (second & third division). Their stadium is located in the east, Stadion An der Alten Foersterei.

Swimming pools can be found around the city. The city offers a complete listing. There are also some popular lakes to swim in. Weissensee is called Berlin’s “bath tub”. The Strandbad Wannsee is the most famous bathing area for locals. Take the S-Bahn lines S1 or S7 to the station Nikolassee. Mueggelsee in the south east of Berlin is also a popular swimming spot. There is also an outdoor pool, Badeschiff, open in summer that is located directly in the Spree. It is both a popular swim spot and club.

The Berlin Marathon is a leg of the World Marathon Majors series. The race draws over 40,000 competitors from over 100 countries with over one million enthusiastic spectators along the route. Begun in 1974, the event traditionally takes place on the last weekend in September. It starts and ends near the Brandenburg Gate and crosses through Charlottenburg, the Tiergarten, Mitte, Friedrichshain, Kreuzberg, Neukolln, Schoeneberg, Steglitz, Zehlendorf, and then north to the center. The course is known for being flat and even with mild temperatures. The most marathon world records for men and women have been set at the Berlin course. Because of the division of city, the marathon was limited to West Berlin before 1990. The race on September 30th, 1990 was the first time athletes were able to cross the Brandenburg Gate of a united city. Many of the runners ran through the gate with tears of joy.

Sport-Club John-F.-Kennedy-Schule Berlin e.V. is the official affiliate sports club of the John-F.-Kennedy-School in Berlin, Germany, offering a
wide spectrum of sports activities that complement the school’s own sports offerings. We offer competitive and recreational sports for children of all ages and for adults. Training is held in
English and/or German. We welcome new members in all divisions and age groups!

SC JFKS Berlin is looking forward to meet new and returning families at the annual JFKS Info Fair in the large aula of the John-F. Kennedy School. You will be able to talk to representatives
of the sport club, find out more about the sports we offer, about the locations, training times, coaches. As a parent-run organization, we are also looking forward to meeting new sporty parents
who would like to coach and volunteer in our club. See you there!

SC JFKS Berlin is looking forward to meet new and returning families at the annual JFKS Info Fair on September 6th 2017 in the evening in the large aula.
You will be able to talk to representatives of the sport club, find out more about the sports we offer, about the locations, training times, coaches. As a parent-run organization, we are also
looking forward to meeting new sporty parents who would like to coach and volunteer in our club. See you there!

Our Schüler Ram, Jeremy Trzeciak, had his last tryouts this past weekend to make the German U12 National baseball team. After two days of intense baseball, Jeremy put all of his hard work
into play. After all was said and done, Jeremy had reached his dream and was selected at the end of the tryouts. The rams coaches congratulat him on a job well done. Even though we cannot take
credit for his accomplishment, since he came to us already with the determination of making the national team, we will ride along on his bandwagon of success. Jeremy has shown what it means not
to give up! Now that you made it, keep working hard because the others sure will be. Along with Jeremy, 10 other players were chosen and another 5 will follow to fill out the team. Jeremy has the
following major events in front of him now: U12 European championships in the Netherlands and the U12 world championships in Taiwan. All the best of luck and success.

On the hot and sunny weekend of June 5-6, 2016, JFKS Rams Lacrosse team organised and hosted the U16 German Championships in Lacrosse for 2016 at the JFKS sport field. Eight girls and boys teams
participated, from all over Germany, as well as their coaches, parents and supporters. We are very proud to announce that JFKS Rams Lacrosse girls team won the championship for 2016 and are
the Deutsche Meister! Go Rams! Grow the game!

This is what Mr. Chad Felt, Max’s former LL coach and JFKS teacher, wrote as he watched the game on October 1st in Cleveland, Ohio. Mr. Felt kindly shared with us not only this photo, but also
team photos from over fifteen years ago, showing Max Kepler’s baseball beginnings in Berlin: Mr. Felt coached him with Dave Chilton (Cubs), Karen Wingo, a JFKS elementary teacher (Devil Rays),
and again with Karen and David Rosenfeld for the Marlins. Incidentally, three others on that Marlins team went on to play college ball: Zach and Nate Ferster (Baldwin Wallace College) and Momo
Felt who pitches at Dickinson College.

Congratulations to JFKS Rams Lacrosse! They are the
second best U16 girls team in Germany! The final game against Hamburg who won the German championship took place on June 7th, 2015, at Berlin-Lichterfelde stadion, and at one point our girls were
leading by three points. Big congrats Coach Matthew Baildon who started the lacrosse program at JFKS in 2011,
and to everyone who helps coaching and organizing, to all the parents and of course the girls!

From the 2015 season on, the Rams will be adding a division in the BSVBB (Berlin/Brandenburg Softball and Baseball League) “Schülerliga”. These
players are in the age bracket from 9-12 years. The German baseball league goes by birth year only, which means that the following years are eligible: 2003/2004/2005/2006 for 2015. This will be
in addition to the normal American Little League Baseball program. If you have any questions please contact Coach John Dillon.

Six SC JFKS gymnasts competed in the recent BTB team competition „P5-Mannschaftswettkampf weiblich“ in Berlin Weißensee on September 14, 2013. The girls showed impressive routines on the
horizontal bar, vault, balance beam, and floor. Altogether, about 50 gymnasts from different Berlin gymnastics clubs participated in this event. In their age group 2002 and younger, the SC JFKS
girls achieved second place after the team from the TSC Berlin, and followed by the Charlottenburger TSV who was third. Thank you to the trainer and parents for their support and time.

For the first time in history of our baseball program, the SC JFKS baseball team Rams participated in German Baseball Youth Championships 2013 (Deutsche Meisterschaft Jugend) in
Paderborn. The boys and coaches travelled to the tournament hosted by Paderborn Untouchables on September 21-22, 2013. The best eight teams in German youth baseball competed. The Rams played
against the Sollingen Alligators, the Buchbinder Legionäre, and the Stuttgart Reds. They seemed to be evenly matched in each game but had some bad luck so this year it was last place in the
tournament. But, needless to say, we are proud of what the Rams achieved this year. Great job, and keep it up!

The most popular sport in Germany and Berlin is soccer. He played throughout the city with several local support teams.
Hertha Berlin – the city of the highest professional football team traditionally originally from the West and plays at the impressive Olympic Stadium. typically at Erste Bundesliga (1st DeVision), the team relegated to the second division after a disastrous 2009/2010 season. Fortunately, they are back next season at the top and there will be a Erste Bundesliga reunion.
FC Union Berlin – The city’s “Eastern” team allows for an even more ardent fan base, despite the teams generally lower than Hertha’s rating.The union usually competes in the Zweite and Dritte Bundesliga (second and third section). Their stadium is to the east, Stadium der Alten Foersterei.

Pool Pools can be found around the city. The city offers a complete listing. There are also several popular lakes to swim in. Weissensee is called Berlin’s “bath”. Strandbad Wannsee is the most famous bathing spot for locals.Take the S-Bahn line S1 or S7 to Nikolassee station. The Mueggelsee in southeast Berlin is also a popular swimming destination. There is also an outdoor swimming pool, Badeschiff, open in summer, right in the Spree. It is both a popular swim place and club.

Berlin Marathon leg of the marathon majors of the world series. The race attracts over 40,000 competitors from over 100 countries around the world with over one million enthusiastic spectators along the route. Launched in 1974, the events traditionally take place over the last weekend in September. It starts and ends at the Brandenburg Gate and crosses Charlottenburg, Tiergarten, Mitte, Friedrichshain, Kreuzberg, Neukölln, Schoeneberg, Steglitz, Zehlendorf, and then north of the city center. Certainly known for being flat and even with moderate temperatures. Most marathon world records for men and women were set during Berlin. Due to the division of the city, the marathon was limited to West Berlin until 1990.The race on September 30, 1990 was the first time athletes managed to cross the Brandenburg Gate from a single city. Many runners ran through the gate with tears of joy.

MOSCOW, June 17 – RIA Novosti.Russian Lyudmila Samsonova beat compatriot Veronica Kudermetova and reached the quarterfinals of the tennis tournament in Berlin, the prize fund of which exceeds 450 thousand euros. The second round match lasted 1 hour 20 minutes and ended with Samsonova’s victory with a score of 6: 4, 6: 3. with American Madison Keys, who previously knocked out the first racket of the tournament Arina Sobolenko from Belarus.

It is curious that the majority of black athletes in the United States supported the Berlin Games, believing that it would be more reasonable to demonstrate the usefulness of their race directly at the Olympic stadiums.They were not mistaken: the black American Jesse Owens became the most outstanding athlete of the Games. The runner won four gold medals in the 100, 200 and 4×100 meters relay, as well as in the long jump. Owens’ compatriot Carl Lewis was able to repeat this achievement, but only in 1984. I must say that Jesse Owens was one of the most outstanding athletes of his time. In 1935, a year before the Olympics, he set six world records within 45 minutes, including the first time he crossed the eight-meter mark in long jump, which lasted 25 years. Owens subsequently stated that he had never received such a standing ovation as in Berlin.

The opening ceremony of the Games continued the tradition of lighting the Olympic flame since 1928, and for the first time the flame was brought from Olympia by runners passing the torch like a baton. This is how the tradition of the Olympic torch relay was laid. This episode is vividly displayed at the beginning of the film “Olympia” by German director Leni Riffenstahl, which has become a masterpiece of world documentary filmmaking. It should also be said that the opening of the Olympics was broadcast live on television for the first time. The Berlin Olympics passed without any incidents, strictly according to the planned plan and on an unprecedented scale. After World War II, the set of actions of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in choosing the host country for the 1936 Games was recognized as erroneous, after which the committee made a public apology.

There is a legend that at the Games Adolf Hitler refused to shake hands with Jesse Owens. In fact, the protocol of the time did not provide for the introduction of athletes to the chancellor, and Owens himself later denied that he was ever in the presence of Hitler.But upon returning to the United States, the athlete again had to experience the daily humiliation that blacks in his country were subjected to, both on public transport and elsewhere, and he did not fail to compare this with the treatment he received in Germany. In 1984, four years after Jesse Owens passed away, his widow recalled that he never complained about Hitler’s Germany.

The XI Olympic Games of 1936 are often referred to as Owens’ Olipiad. Firstly, because the American athlete became the protagonist of the Games, won four gold medals and set two Olympic records, and secondly, the black athlete with his achievements marked the victory of the world community over the racial prejudices of Nazi Germany.One cannot ignore the fact that before the start of the Olympics, Hitler tried to disguise the racial issue, repeatedly stating that Jewish athletes should not be excluded from the German team. So the German Jewish woman Helen Mayer won a silver medal in fencing.

Renting a supercar in Berlin will enable you to fully enjoy a super-fast driving experience as you test your racing car on wide European highways.For some, this is a real chance to feel what real Formula 1 drivers feel when they sit behind the wheel of famous race cars. For others, it is an opportunity to quickly move around Europe without compromising on quality and comfort. And someone, perhaps, will decide to make their old dream come true.

Most of the sports cars in our fleet can reach speeds of the order of 300-350 km / h, accelerating from zero to a hundred in just 2.9-3 s, and their power fluctuates in the region of 500-700 hp. with. Thanks to their low center of gravity, downforce and aerodynamic properties of the body, they have incredible cornering stability, demonstrating high safety and amazing dynamics, even on difficult road sections.

Diagnostics, treatment, rehabilitation, prevention of sports injuries and diseases, planning optimal training programs, development and implementation of progressive methods at all stages of patient recovery – these are just some of the main activities of sports physicians in Berlin. Berlin’s annual investment of more than 2 billion euros in scientific research, including in the field of sports medicine, ensures its constant development and technological progress.

The main tasks of sports physicians in Berlin are prevention and treatment of specific diseases and injuries, as soon as possible rehabilitation after them with maximum restoration of functions.These tasks are successfully solved with the help of modern technologies, which are distinguished by high efficiency and low injury rate. Arthroscopic and robot-assisted surgeries, neurophysiological monitoring and computerized intraoperative navigation, innovative implants, laser and ultrasound techniques that replace the scalpel are all common practice in sports medicine in Berlin.

The work of a professional athlete is associated with constant overload, often at the limit of human capabilities. Ordinary sports fans often face medical problems. All of them may need diagnostics, development of personal training programs, treatment, rehabilitation, counseling on the prevention of injuries and sports-related diseases. Athletes from different countries have long appreciated the possibilities of sports medicine in Berlin, which allows them to achieve high results in sports without losing their health.No wonder the capital of Germany is traditionally considered the European center of sports medicine.

Zenit Kazan will start on Wednesday at the group stage of the Champions League instead of Tuesday. It was expected that within three days the team of Vladimir Alekno will play three first round matches in the German capital – with Jastrzębski, Berlin and Ljubljana.However, on Sunday it became known that there will be only two matches. The Polish club decided not to go to Berlin – the team has an outbreak of coronavirus and a shortage of healthy volleyball players.

On November 18, Jastrzembski reported six players tested positive for coronavirus. The whole team went into quarantine, and a few days later it became known that two more players and one representative of the coaching staff were infected with the infection.Last week, the players of the Polish team began to slowly return to training, but PCR tests before playing in the Champions League showed the presence of coronavirus in three players. Moreover, there are positions in which the team simply does not have volleyball players due to illness and injury.

“Even before Friday’s tests, the trip to Berlin seemed extremely difficult given the condition of the players after their illness. Three matches in three days can be dangerous for the health of volleyball players, – said the head coach of Jastrzębski Luc Reynolds . – And now we have even fewer players. We are simply not ready to field an efficient team, as required by the level of the Champions League. ”

Does Jastrzembski’s failure to show up mean automatic withdrawal from the tournament? Judging by the precedent with “Arkas” – no. At the same time, the Turkish club was credited with technical defeats in matches with Perugia, Civitanova and Tour for failure to appear in France due to coronavirus. The Poles will probably be allowed to play the second round matches in Kazan, but will they do it themselves, having the luggage of three “techies”? It will be difficult to compete even for the second place in the group.

Given the absence of Jastrzembski, Zenit Kazan will probably start the Champions League on December 9 with a meeting with Berlin. This match is interesting because of the confrontation between the two connecting victors of the 2012 Olympics – Alexander Butko and Sergey Grankin . But it may not take place. The thing is that on November 14, Grankin received damage to the calf muscle during training.Magnetic resonance imaging showed a muscle fiber rupture.

Berlin played four matches without its captain, and it was extremely unsuccessful. First, the capital team in the championship “dry” lost to its principal rival “Friedrichshafen”, and then in the quarterfinals of the German Cup sensationally lost to “Netzhoppers” (2: 3), despite 35 points Benjamin Patch . Berlin have owned the trophy since 2016 and this is a serious blow for the club. In the Bundesliga, the team is also not going smoothly: two defeats (the first was from Bul) is more than in the entire last season.

In the absence of Grankin in Berlin, Frenchman Pierre Pujol passed, and his emergency replacement was Sebastian Kuchner . He retired in 2019, but has now resumed it to help the club, where he spent seven seasons (2012 – 2019). In the last match of “Berlin” with “Luneburg” (3: 0) Grankin replaced Küchner in the application, but entered the court only once – when the score was 20:14 in the first set.It is not yet clear whether Sergey is ready to play a full-fledged match.

But the French sideplayer Timothy Carle , who has also not played since mid-November due to problems with the abdominal press, has fully returned to the main squad. In a meeting with Luneburg, he showed 73% of the implementation of attacks (11/15). Last week, Berlin strengthened the blocking line by signing Frenchman Kevin le Roux . It will compete with Anton Brehme and two Brazilians – Eder Carboner and Renan Morales .

On the first game day, Berlin will play with Ljubljana. This rival last season frayed the nerves of both the Germans and Kuzbass and Fakel, taking points away from everyone. Then, as part of the Slovenes, the diagonal was lit by Bozidar Vucichevich . In the summer, he was supposed to move to Gazprom-Yugra, but the deal fell through – in Surgut they decided not to spend money on the legionnaire when they learned that the Super League had become closed and no one would fly out of it.

Vučičević stayed in Ljubljana, where now he is no longer diagonal number 1 – he shares playing time with Mitar Djuric . Also in the summer, the Slovenes took the second setter of the national team Gregor Ropret and the Iranian blocker Amir Hossein Tukhtekh . The head coach of the Iranian national team Vladimir Alekno and his assistant Tomaso Totolo will surely get accustomed to this guy.In general, Ljubljana has hardly changed compared to last year. The team is currently leading the national championship (10 wins in 11 matches) and the MEVZA Central European League (5 wins in 6 matches).

With replacement Butko Laurent Alekno Zenit barely beat one of the championship outsiders – ASK (3: 2). There was no lightness in the actions of Zenit, and the number of their mistakes went off scale – 32 (10 + 10 + 4 + 4 + 4). Maxim Mikhailov Shot out touchdown 7 times. It’s hard to remember when this happened and if it happened at all. At the Zenith tie-break, Erwin Ngapeth rescued by serving and attacking, while Mikhailov and Artyom Smolyar did a good job on the block.

“We left after a long break. It doesn’t happen that you don’t play for three weeks, and then you go out and everything is fine. It is always difficult, no matter what the master is. Training is one thing, but the atmosphere in the game is completely different. The game rhythm is important, – said after the game with Nizhny Novgorod the blocking Zenit Artyom Volvich . – We only trained, physically worked a lot. You saw that the speed was poor. All this was done in order to perform well in Berlin. “