Match report The hottest dance of the year

It will be a special evening: in the return leg of the German championship semifinal, SWD powervolleys Düren host SVG Lüneburg at Arena Kreis Düren on Sunday at 18:00. The match sold out the week before, shortly after tickets went on sale – faster than ever. Dyn broadcasts live.

Ready for another trip to Lüneburg

The pressure is on the hosts, and head coach Christophe Achten makes no secret of it: if Düren loses the return leg after the 0-3 in Lüneburg, the season is over. If Düren win, the deciding match takes place a week later at the favorites and cup winners. Achten says the team would love to travel to Lüneburg once more.

The injury woes continue

Düren’s line-up is still open. Zac Hutcheson is out for the rest of the season with a foot injury. Key player Robin Baghdady has had muscular back problems for more than two weeks, and whether he can play will probably only be decided on match day. Like the long-term injured Nico Wegner, both are outside hitters. Without Baghdady, Ryan Poole is the only specialist outside hitter for two positions, so one must again be filled by a player from another position.

Achten announces new ideas to trouble Lüneburg – with or without Baghdady. One thing is certain, he says: the team will learn from the first leg, give Lüneburg nothing and fight with everything it has.

Ready for the hot dance

Düren want to make better use of their counter-attack chances. Against a top team like Lüneburg they are rare, and too many went unused in the first leg. Achten acknowledges the quality of SVG: they lost the first leg of the CEV Cup final 0-3 to Piacenza but were on equal terms for two sets. His team will focus on itself and count on its great fans. Despite everything, all players are highly motivated and optimistic – ready for the hot dance.