Commentary on the match between Slovenia and Germany (third round of Group E, 2025 Men’s Volleyball World Championship)
Slovenia and Germany delivered yet another dramatic clash at the Volleyball World Championship. Even before the match, it was clear that this was a do-or-die encounter, with nothing less at stake than a place in the round of 16 from second position in Group E and a meeting with the United States on Monday, 22 September.
The gamble and tactical ideas of coach Soli paid off, as Slovenia took the first, third, and fourth sets, with the young and dynamic Mujanović once again starting in reception. He was substituted by Bračko in the second set and later by Okroglič, usually a libero, in the third and fourth sets. Slovenia thus seems to have found its own version of Gianni, the Italian international who once featured as an outside hitter, opposite, and even as a middle blocker in Italy’s starting line-up.
Slovenia : Germany
 
3 - 1Pool E FIVB WCh: men
Slovenia : Germany |
Mujanović played his third match as an outside hitter, with Bračko replacing him in the second set and Okroglič taking over in the third and fourth. Is Slovenia finding its own Gianni? Photo: FIVB.
Soli, Slovenia’s head coach. His tactical ideas ultimately paid off, particularly the decision to place Okroglič in reception on the back line during the third and fourth sets. Okroglič performed excellently, especially in defence, though the lack of attacking options was certainly noticeable. Photo: FIVB.
Germany’s captain and opposite hitter Grozer has most likely played his final World Championship match for his country. In the fourth set, he was replaced by John. Photo: FIVB.
Odlično je ponovno odigral srečanje Ž. Štern, še posebej dobro je tudi serviral. Foto: FIVB.
Slovenia are through to the round of 16, winning the fourth set 25:22.
Germany’s players saved the first match point. Najdič came in to strengthen the block. Röhrs then served decisively and powerfully… into the net. Slovenia are through to the round of 16.
Slovenia and Germany produced a dramatic encounter in Group E of the 2025 Men’s Volleyball World Championship, with a place in the round of 16 on the line. From the outset, it was clear that both sides were playing with enormous intensity. Slovenia started strongly, building a four-point cushion late in the opening set thanks to a sharp block from Kozamernik and an ace from Ropret. With Tine Štern hammering from the back row, Slovenia claimed the first set 25:21 and immediately signalled their intent.
Germany struck back in the second set. Brehme’s powerful serving, including several aces, opened up a commanding lead. Bračko briefly came on for Slovenia in reception but struggled under pressure, while Grozer and Brand punished with strong attacks and serves. The Germans surged clear to take the second set comfortably 25:17, levelling the match at one set apiece.
The third set was the most enthralling, a tug of war marked by brilliant defensive play from both sides. Slovenia’s Mujanović was decisive both in attack and with a key ace, while the Štern brothers alternated with heavy hitting. Germany, with Röhrs and Grozer relentless in attack, forced the set deep into overtime. At 29:29, Kozamernik’s serve set up a block from Ropret – a player rarely celebrated for his blocking – to seal the set 31:29 for Slovenia and restore their lead.
Germany refused to fold. With John replacing Grozer as opposite, their defence stiffened and they clawed back into contention in the fourth set, levelling at 17:17 after a series of strong rallies. Yet Slovenia’s tactical switch, moving Okroglič into reception, added stability in defence, even if it cost them some attacking options. Tine Štern’s fierce serving created the breakthrough, and Mujanović cleverly varied his attacking shots to edge Slovenia ahead again.
At 24:21, Slovenia had three match points. Germany saved the first, with Najdič brought on to strengthen the block. But Röhrs, attempting to serve aggressively under pressure, drove the ball into the net. Slovenia sealed the set 25:22 and the match 3–1, securing their passage to the round of 16.
The match underlined Slovenia’s growing tactical flexibility under coach Soli. Mujanović, still learning his role as an outside hitter, played a pivotal part, while veterans like Pajenk and Kozamernik added crucial points at the net and from the service line. For Germany, it may well have been Grozer’s farewell to the World Championship stage, as John took over in the final set. Ultimately, Slovenia’s resilience and Soli’s tactical gambles paid off, booking them a showdown with the United States in the next round.
The winner of the match between Slovenia and Germany will face the USA in the round of 16 at the Volleyball World Championship.
In the final Group D match between the USA and Cuba, the American players took a 2–0 lead in sets, which already guaranteed them at least one point. With a minimum of seven points, they confirmed first place in Group D. This means that the winner of the match between Slovenia and Germany will face the USA, as in Group E the Bulgarians swept aside Chile in the morning match to likewise confirm top spot.
Decisive Pool E clash between Slovenia and Germany for a place in the round of 16 at the 2025 Volleyball World Championship in the Philippines.
Both Slovenia and Germany entered their decisive Group E clash at the 2025 Volleyball World Championship having fallen to Bulgaria. Germany were beaten in straight sets after a marathon opener that finished 40:38, a result that seemed to fuel the confidence of the Nikolov brothers and their team. Slovenia, meanwhile, had recovered from two sets down against Bulgaria to force a fifth set and played strongly in the early stages of the decider, but eventually fell short. This left their head-to-head with Germany as a do-or-die battle: victory meant the round of 16, defeat meant packing their bags.
Theoretically, there remained a slim chance for the winner to top the group if Chile could pull off a major upset against Bulgaria. Although such surprises have already been part of this World Championship, the Bulgarians were firm favourites. Chile, however, had shown flashes of quality and hinted at their best performance yet. Still, the realistic scenario was that the victor of Slovenia v Germany would secure second place and a knockout tie with the winners of Group D.
That Group D winner looked almost certain to be the United States, unbeaten so far and yet to drop a set after convincing victories over Colombia and Portugal. For either Slovenia or Germany, this meant that second place in Group E came with the daunting prize of a meeting with the Americans in the round of 16. Only one of these two European sides would take that step forward.
For Slovenia, the main question was whether coach Alberto Giuliani’s successor, Andrea Soli, would persist with his unusual tactical set-up of using two opposites on court. Captain Tine Urnaut was still unavailable, though the reasons were not disclosed. In his absence, young opposite Mujanović has been redeployed as an outside hitter. He has seized the opportunity impressively, though he was only one swing away from becoming the hero against Bulgaria before hitting into a triple block. His reception has wavered in key moments, but he has the potential to improve.
Germany’s strengths lay elsewhere. Their middle attack was devastating whenever their reception held up, and captain Georg Grozer remained their central figure at opposite. Reserve opposite Linus John, excellent in this year’s Nations League, had yet to feature prominently but offered a reliable option from the bench. Depth was one of Germany’s advantages, while Slovenia’s younger squad members like Bračko and Marovt had seen only limited action and were still untested under pressure.
Slovenia’s setting and attacking rhythm had faltered against Bulgaria, though setter Ropret redeemed himself with strong defensive work. Backup setter Najdič added spark when introduced. Veteran middle Pajenk had been Slovenia’s most consistent server. Yet the team as a whole still had reserves to draw upon in block and defence. Germany, on the other hand, seemed mentally fragile: the crushing loss in that marathon first set against Bulgaria had dented their confidence, though they had shown in the Nations League an ability to fight back from seemingly lost positions. This decisive clash promised not just skill, but a test of nerve.
Follow the action on TV Volleyball
On TV Volleyball we will be covering the World Championship continuously – from live scores and detailed preliminary round tables to in-depth commentary on individual matches. Special attention will, of course, be given to the clashes of Slovenia’s national team, who will be aiming for a place in the knockout stage from Pool E.
