German derby to provide dramatic setting for Berlin and Lüneburg, with quarter-finals spot on the table

With only one win in the last 23 matches against domestic rivals Berlin Recycling Volleys, SVG Lüneburg were seen as huge underdogs before the start of the Germany derby in the play-offs of this season’s CEV Champions League Men.

But they provided a huge shock taking a 3:2 win, securing only the second win in 24 matches against the German champions, creating a dramatic scenario for the second leg, where none of the two teams has any room for mistake.

While Berlin have lost their two doubleheaders against German opposition, Lüneburg have never made it out of the 4th round so far, therefore this would be their first appearance in the quarter-finals. On the other hand, Berlin Recycling Volleys made the quarter-finals in the last four consecutive seasons.

“What was missing to win was a better attacking game. We simply didn't capitalize enough. The starting position hasn't changed much. We are going back to Berlin and have to win the game, just like before. The two sets could still be important," said Berlin’s captain Ruben Schott after the loss in the first match.

The second leg of the Germany derby in the European premium competition’s play-offs is scheduled for Wednesday, 26 February, at 19:30 CET, as Berlin are trying to bounce back and clinch the quarter-finals spot. For a direct path towards their objective, they will need a 3:0 or 3:1 win, results which they clinched in the previous five home matches against SVG Lüneburg.

But two other home matches, in 2023, in the German Cup and the German Bundesliga respectively ended with Berlin taking a 3:2 win, which would mean a golden set would decide the team which progresses to the next phase and face Polish side Aluron CMC Warta Zawiercie.

In the first leg, Lüneburg led after the first and the third sets, which they won, 25:19 and 25:23, but Berlin bounced back twice, 25:23 and 26:24, in a fiery encounter, which saw the lead change hands plenty of times.

Eventually, in the fifth set, Lüneburg were stronger, after leading throughout the majority of the last part of the match, and took it 27:25, securing the 3:2 win, thanks to 23 points from Xander Kertzynski, 21 points from Simon Torwie and 20 points from Oskar Espeland. Berlin’s ace, Jack Hanes, had 20 points.

"It won't be easy in Berlin, of course, it's always difficult. But we see what's possible and we'll build on that," said Lüneburg ‘sLorenz Karlitzek after the end of the first match.

Nevertheless, Lüneburg must complete a first if they want to progress with a bang. Since their promotion to the German Bundesliga in 2014, they have never won against Berlin in the Max-Schmeling-Halle in the German capital in 14 matches, conceding 14 losses.

One thing which could go in their favour is Berlin’s energy levels, who were not at 100%, due to a flu virus going into the team in the last weeks, which hampered their performance. But with everything on the line, there is no room for mistake in this German derby for any of the two competitors.