Stuttgart loses 3rd final game against Potsdam – SWR Sport

In the third final game of the “Best of Five series” for the German volleyball championship, the women from Allianz MTV Stuttgart lost 2:3 to SC Potsdam. Another home defeat puts Stuttgart under pressure to win in Potsdam on Friday.

The disappointment of the volleyball players in the blue jerseys was palpable. Once again, the Stuttgart team failed to beat SC Potsdam at home. The MTV lost 2:3 and fell behind 1:2 after victories. On Friday (8 p.m.) the women from Potsdam can make everything clear with another success in front of their own audience. Stuttgart is doomed to win in order to keep their chance at the title.

The fear opponents from Potsdam

The women from Stuttgart had already lost twice this season with 0:3 against the women from Potsdam in front of their home crowd in the Scharrena. Once in the round of points, then surprisingly last week in the first final game. And this time? Started Stuttgart in the first set with a powerful service series for a quick 3-0 lead. A block point and two powerful attack hits by top scorer Krystal Rivers delighted the audience. Apropos: The atmosphere was fantastic from the first serve. 2,251 fans, for the first time this season the MTV home arena was completely sold out.

Frighteningly weak first sentence from Stuttgart

It’s all ok? Are you kidding me? Are you serious when you say that. The great start of the MTV was quickly consumed, the Potsdam women dug into the game and took the lead 8:6, 12:9 and 14:10. A first round that was increasingly tough for Stuttgart. Especially Simone Lee, the second American next to Krystal Rivers, struggled with her many missed attack balls. Bad memories of the first final game in the Swabian metropolis were awakened, while Potsdam continuously increased the lead through their variability and good block work to 19:12. After 20 minutes, the almost flawless guests converted the first of nine (!) set balls to a clear 25:15. Sobering for shockingly weak women from Stuttgart.

Second round with Stuttgart superiority

Second sentence, new luck for the MTV? Not at first. This time Potsdam started with a 3:1 lead. Immediately afterwards, however, the opposite picture to the first round. Now Stuttgart suddenly hit everything. Tore Aleksandersen’s team had finally adjusted to the guests’ game, gained increasing self-confidence and security over 6:3, 13:6 and 16:8, and thus also acted more aggressively on the serve. And Simone Lee also found her way back to her usual effectiveness with her powerful attacks during this phase. “Stuttgart’s most beautiful sport” was now unstoppable. With 25:14, the MTV managed to equalize the set 1:1.

Stuttgart messes up the 3rd set

The third set was completely balanced and exciting. 6: 6, 8: 8, 10:10, 12:12, 15:15, Potsdam could not be shaken off. And suddenly the thread was broken again with the Stuttgart women. Potsdam screwed the result up to 20:15 and won this third round with 25:21. The surprising 2:1 set lead for Stuttgart’s “fear opponents”.

Hard-fought equalizer to make it 2-2

MTV under pressure. The fourth round was also hotly contested, in which Stuttgart was able to pull away by 14:10. In an intense show of strength, the MTV team brought the fourth set home with 25:22 with a 22:22. Set equalization to 2:2 – so the tie-break had to decide.

Disappointing Stuttgart women in the tie-break

The women from Stuttgart had nothing to add here. Potsdam dominated the fifth round and deservedly won 15:9 and thus the match 3:2. The second home defeat for MTV, which was shockingly weak at times, in this series of finals. The top stars Krystal Rivers and Simone Lee were also unable to set any decisive accents in the attacking game against the well-structured women from Potsdam.

Stuttgart must win in Potsdam on Friday to force a fifth final game on Sunday in front of their home crowd.

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