Team The coaching staff stays together

SWD powervolleys Düren are betting on continuity on the sideline too: assistant coaches Björn-Arne Alber and Óscar Serna Asensio and strength and conditioning coach Michael Andrei will continue to work with head coach Christophe Achten in the 2026/27 season.

For Achten, this is an important signal. The roles within the staff are clearly defined and the personal chemistry is very good, the Belgian says – which is why he is pleased to keep developing the team together.

The three bring different experiences. Björn-Arne Alber knows Düren like few others: the former setter arrived in 2002 as a player and has been on the sideline for more than 15 years. Óscar Serna Asensio moved from Spain to Düren in summer 2025 and wants to keep learning under Achten.

Michael Andrei captained the team for many years before ending his playing career at almost 40. His long career was also down to how carefully he looked after his body – knowledge he now passes on as strength coach so the players are in peak physical shape for the Bundesliga.

The 2026/27 squad: Robert Viiber, Tobias Hosch (setters), Jordan Canham, Andres Jefanov (opposites), Kyle Paulson, Robin Baghdady, Omar Hoyos, Paul Nusterer, Marcin Ernastowicz (outside hitters), Philipp Lauter, Daniel Wetter, Preslav Petkov (middle blockers), Troy Gooch (libero).