VfB Friedrichshafen, the German vice-champion and record cup holder, returns to international volleyball after a year away, facing Mladost Zagreb in the CEV Volleyball Cup on November 14. Due to venue capacity issues, they compete in the second-tier CEV Cup instead of the Champions League. Despite challenges, including financial constraints and injuries, the team aims for a strong performance and hopes to advance further in the tournament, with support anticipated from fans in the upcoming matches.
VfB Friedrichshafen Returns to International Volleyball
After a year away from European competition, the German vice-champion and record cup holder, VfB Friedrichshafen, is set to make its comeback on Thursday, November 14 at 4:30 PM. They will face Mladost Zagreb in Croatia during the CEV Volleyball Cup. Sports director Radomir Vemic expresses his excitement, stating, “There will definitely be a bit of goosebumps,” as the team prepares for this long-awaited moment, which they have diligently worked towards since last season.
This matchup marks the round of 32 in the CEV Cup, where VfB Friedrichshafen previously received a bye in the last 64. Managing director Thilo Späth-Westerholt describes his team as “slight favorites” against the Zagreb club. He highlights the advantage of having Ivan Zeljkovic, a former champion with Zagreb, on their roster, as he is familiar with many of the players they will face. Head coach Adam Swaczyna acknowledges this connection, noting that Ivan can provide valuable insights ahead of the game.
Challenges of Champions League Participation
Despite having qualified for the Champions League through their performance, VfB Friedrichshafen will compete in the second-tier CEV Cup. The reason behind this decision lies in the insufficient capacity of their home venue, the Spacetech Arena, which does not meet the 2,500 spectator requirement for the Champions League. Späth-Westerholt explains, “Sportingly, we would have qualified for the Champions League again, but we still do not have a hall that can accommodate 2,500 spectators.” This situation forced Friedrichshafen to withdraw from the Champions League last year, a decision that was painful for everyone involved.
The financial burden of renting larger arenas, such as the ratiopharm Arena in Neu-Ulm, was also prohibitive, with costs around 30,000 euros per home game being “economically unfeasible.” The club worked closely with the European volleyball association, CEV, but ultimately could not secure the necessary approval for their own arena, which holds 1,000 fans.
Even this season, the unchanged hall situation continues to impede Friedrichshafen’s ambitions, as other teams participate in the Champions League. Späth-Westerholt acknowledges the disappointment but emphasizes the need to accept their current reality. Instead, the focus has shifted to making a strong run in the CEV Cup.
Playing in Croatia may not be a disadvantage, as the team anticipates having the support of their fans in the decisive second leg on November 20 at 8 PM. VfB aims to establish a solid foundation for advancing to the round of 16. Swaczyna notes that their injured players are recovering well, and the team is returning to a sense of normalcy, despite the challenges posed by travel. In the long term, the 13-time German champion aspires to be back in the Champions League, but for now, their goal remains clear: “We want to get as far as possible” in the CEV Cup, affirming that “we don’t have to hide internationally.”
Stay tuned for the broadcast on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, at 6:40 PM on SWR1 Baden-Württemberg.