Allianz Team Blog A warm welcome

For a few months now I have been able to call Düren my home – and that is exactly how it has felt from the very beginning. I would like to take you along on my first impressions here at the powervolleys.

Even before I had arrived in Düren, I already felt incredibly welcome. Everything was perfectly organized in advance, which immediately gives you a sense of security and a good feeling. Because of the World Championship I joined the team a little later – a pretty great alternative to a classic pre-season, by the way 😉 – but I was already in touch with all my teammates. Still, I was curious what it would be like to join a team that had been training together every day for weeks. Would there already be fixed little groups? Would it take a while to find each other? Not at all. My very first day, which went straight into a practice match, did not feel like a “first day” at all. Everyone was open right away, everything felt natural and easy – on the court just as much as off it. The timing with my hitters developed quickly, and away from the court the mood was excellent from the start. It is rare for a team to feel so connected in such a short time. A truly warm welcome.

After a few weeks of training and friendlies the season finally got going properly, and I could hardly wait for our first home match – for several reasons. For one, I had already been to a home match against Friedrichshafen last season, so I knew how special the atmosphere in a full Arena Kreis Düren can be. For another, competitive matches are simply something completely different from friendlies. And finally, we were playing Berlin – where my national team coach works. As a volleyball player you could hardly wish for better circumstances.

Then the time had come. The opening show alone gave me goosebumps, and we ran onto the court through flamethrowers – another very special welcome 😉. And then the match itself: an intense five-set thriller in which an incredible crowd in a completely sold-out arena carried us the whole way. In that moment you really had the feeling that we had arrived as a team and had been embraced by the people of Düren.

At the same time, this home match put a socially important topic in the spotlight – “Pink October”. Together with our strong partner Allianz we set a pink signal and raised awareness for the early detection of breast cancer.

The start of the season was wonderful – but above all we have our eyes on an equally wonderful ending. The chemistry in the team is right and the support is there. Now it is time to create something unforgettable here together.

Together for Düren. Together for the region.