György Grozer


György Grozer, also known as Georg Grozer, or by his nickname Hammerschorsch, is a German professional volleyball player of Hungarian origin. He currently plays as an opposite spiker for Shanghai Bright and the Germany national team.
Grozer is widely known by the nickname “Hammerschorsch”, a German compound word combining Hammer and Schorsch, a German diminutive of Georg that reflects his powerful attacking style.
IG grozergeorg

Personal life

Grozer was born in Budapest, Hungary. His father, was a former volleyball player and now a coach. Grozer has two daughters, Leana and Loreen, from his first marriage. He is currently married to Czech volleyball player Helena Grozer.

Career

Club

Grozer began his volleyball journey in Hungary before moving to Germany in 2002 to play for Moerser Sportsclub.
He later played for VfB Friedrichshafen, where he was crowned national champion on two occasions in 2009 and 2010.
After moving to the Polish league, he was Polish champion in his second season with Asseco Resovia Rzeszów.
He then moved to Belgorod where, in the early stages of the season, he played a major role in the team's success in the and in the National Cup of Russia.
This season he won the Super Cup and the National Cup in Russia, and was crowned the top club team in Europe with Belgorod.
From 2017 to 2020, Grozer returned to Russia Super League, joining Lokomotiv Novosibirsk, before playing for .
He then spent three seasons in the Italian SuperLega, suiting up with and between 2020 to 2023.
Following a one-year stint in in the Türkiye Efeler Ligi, he played for during the 2024/2025 season. Currently, for the 2025/26 season, he is playing in the Chinese league with Shanghai Bright.

National team

2007

After gaining German Citizenship, Grozer began playing for the national team in 2007. He made his debut that year at the CEV European Championship, where Germany finished 5th.

2008

In the same year, Germany earned a place in the World Olympic Qualification Tournaments. Germany hosted the first tournament of World Olympic Qualification in Düsseldorf from 23 to 25 May 2008, where they emerged as winners and secured direct qualification for the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. György Grozer was part of the German squad that won the qualification tournament. However, he was not selected for the final roster that competed at the Summer Games.

2009

A year later, in 2009, he was part of the German squad that won gold at the CEV European League where he also earned the Best Blocker award. He was also part of 2009 European Championships squad. The Die Adler finished 6th in the competition.

2010

In 2010, Germany secured qualification for the [FIVB Men's FIVB|Volleyball World Championship|FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship] by finishing runners-up in Pool I of the European qualifiers. Grozer scored a total of 22 points, emerging as Germany’s fourth-best scorer behind Max Günthör, Björn Andrae, and Jochen Schöps. This marked Grozer’s first World Championship qualification and his first World Championship appearance with the German national team.
World Championships 2010">2010 FIVB Men's Volleyball World Championship">World Championships 2010
The opposite made his debut at the World Championships in 2010 that was held in Italy.
Germany was drawn into Pool F for the pool play stage of the 2010 FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship, alongside Poland, Serbia, and Canada. Germany finished third in the pool with a 1–2 win–loss record, tied on points with Serbia and Canada but edged out on set and point ratios. They opened their campaign with a straight-sets loss to Serbia, followed by a tightly contested five-set defeat against eventual pool winners Poland. Germany closed the pool stage with a dominant 3–0 victory over Canada, which secured their advancement to the second round.
In the second round, Germany faced Italy and Puerto Rico. They began with a convincing 3–0 win over Puerto Rico before falling to Italy in four sets. Germany finished second in the pool, earning the guaranteed progression to the third round.
During the third round, Germany competed against Brazil and the Czech Republic. They swept the Czech Republic in straight sets but were overpowered by Brazil in a 3–0 loss, placing Germany second in the pool and moving them into the classification semifinals.
In the 5th–8th place semifinals, Germany faced the United States and suffered a 3–0 defeat, which relegated them to the 7th place match. Then, Germany was defeated again, this time by Bulgaria, losing 3–0. Germany finished 8th overall in the tournament.
Individually, György Grozer contributed solidly in his maiden World Championship appearance, finishing with 104 total points, comprising 95 spikes, 7 blocks, and 2 aces, and ranking 19th overall among scorers. He emerged as Germany’s second-highest scorer at the tournament, behind only Robert Kromm who amassed 108 points and ranked 12th overall.
Despite the loss, Germany’s 8th-place finish in 2010 marked the nation's best World Championship result since reunification, and the best overall since East Germany placed 4th at the 1974 World Championship in Mexico.

2011

Grozer could not help the German team because of an injury.

2012

2012 saw an increase of tournament for Germany.
World League
The star opposite was included in the roster for the 2012 World League, after Germany qualified by finishing among the top 13 in the 2011 edition. The team went on to achieve a 5th-place finish, reaching the final round, which was Germany’s best performance in the competition to date.
2012 Summer Olympics – Men's European qualification
Germany participated in the European Olympic Qualification tournaments held in France and Bulgaria, aiming to secure a ticket to the London 2012 Olympics. The winner of the tournament earned direct qualification to the Olympic Games.
Germany advanced from Pool A to the crossed semi-finals and final, eventually finishing 1st place in the tournament.
Germany progressed through the semifinals to face Italy in the final at Arena Armeec in Sofia. Italy secured direct qualification to the London 2012 Olympics by defeating Germany in a dramatic five-set final, 3–2. György Grozer was a standout performer for Germany, scoring 28 points in the final, the highest of any player in the match.
Across the tournament, Grozer played 9 matches, accumulating 135 points with an average of 4.66 points per set, ranking him second overall behind Spain’s Iban Perez Manzanares.
2012 World Olympic Qualification">Volleyball at the 2012 Summer Olympics – Men's qualification">2012 World Olympic Qualification
Germany secured their ticket to the London 2012 Olympics by triumphing at FIVB Men’s World Olympic Qualification Tournament held in Berlin. The team performed strongly in pool play, finishing first with 8 points from 3 matches, posting a 3–0 win–loss record. Germany opened with a 3–0 victory over India, followed by a hard-fought 5-set win against Cuba. They closed pool play with a 3–1 triumph over the Czech Republic. The team finished with a total of 9 sets won and 3 lost, outscoring opponents 281–247 across all matches. This dominant performance helped secure Germany’s qualification for the 2012 Olympics.
Individually, György Grozer scored 63 points in the tournament, including 45 spikes, 7 blocks, and 11 aces, ranking him as Germany’s top scorer and the second-highest overall behind Jan Stokr of Czech Republic..
London Olympics
The indoor volleyball tournament was held at the historic Earls Court Exhibition Centre in West London from July 29 to August 12, 2012. The venue can house packed crowds of up to 19,000 spectators.
Germany was drawn into Pool B with Russia, USA, Brazil, and Serbia.
Preliminary Round
Germany opened their campaign against the eventual gold medalists, Russia. In a tightly contested first set that went into overtime, Germany held set points but ultimately fell 29–31. Grozer finished as the team's top scorer with 10 points, but the team was swept 0–3.
Two days later, Germany faced the defending 2008 Olympic champions, Team USA. The American side was led by Clayton Stanley and Matt Anderson. Grozer managed 12 points, but Germany lacked the offensive balance to challenge the Americans, falling 0–3.
In Germany's third preliminary match against European champions Serbia, Grozer delivered a tournament-best individual performance that was important to the team's advancement. Facing elimination after falling behind 0–2 in sets, Germany mounted a comeback to win 3–2. Grozer scored a match-high 39 points, setting the record for the highest single-match score of the 2012 London Olympics 'that is still unbeaten to date on the Men's side.
His offensive workload accounted for 44.2% of Germany’s total attacks '. Despite this immense volume, he remained highly effective, and recorded a 50.9% success rate ' and a 40.4% hitting efficiency. Beyond his offensive output, he also registered 7 kill blocks along with 3 aces and 8 digs'. His total of 39 points surpassed the combined output of Serbia's top two scorers, Aleksandar Atanasijević and Miloš Nikić. The performance stands out for its statistical anomaly across multiple phases of play.
This 39-point tally stands as the second-highest single-match scoring performance in the Olympic rally-scoring era behind Barbara Jelic's 44-point performance vs China in Sydney Olympics.
Riding the momentum of the Serbia win, Germany faced African champions Tunisia. The team controlled the match from start to finish at Earls Court. Grozer scored 11 points in a quick 3–0 victory, which secured Germany's passage to the knockout stage.
Having already clinched the 4th seed in Pool B, head coach Vital Heynen made the strategic decision to rest Grozer and other key starters against top-ranked Brazil to preserve energy for the quarterfinals. Without their primary scorer, Germany lost 0–3. Grozer did not play.
Quarterfinals
Germany’s Olympic run came to a decisive end in the Quarterfinals on August 8, 2012, after suffering a straight-set defeat to Bulgaria.
Bulgaria controlled the match through Tsvetan Sokolov, who delivered a match-high 22 points. While Sokolov converted 51.6% of his attacks, Germany’s offense stalled completely, only managing a team hitting efficiency of just 19.2%. Grozer led Germany with 12 points, but he struggled to find rhythm, committing 7 attack faults and landing only 11 kills on 28 swings. Bulgaria capitalized on these errors, wrapping up the victory in just 1 hour and 18 minutes.
Germany finished the tournament in 5th place with Argentina, Poland, and the United States. Grozer concluded his Olympic campaign with 84 total points.
Despite playing three fewer matches than the semifinalists, Grozer finished 11th on the overall scoring leaderboard. The scoring race was led by Russia's Maxim Mikhaylov and Bulgaria's Tsvetan Sokolov, both of whom played in the medal rounds.
Although the quarterfinal exit was a disappointment at the time, Grozer later described the experience as a career highlight. In a 2021 interview with Volleyball World, he reflected on the unique energy of those Games:
"The London 2012 Games was the biggest pleasure for me and I am thankful that I could be a part of it and enjoy the super atmosphere and the special energy of the Olympics. I was young. We were young and maybe the result would be different if we played again now, but anyway it was amazing for me,” he said.

2013

Eurovolley
Germany entered the 2013 European Championship. The team advanced to the Quarterfinals, where they were once again stopped by Bulgaria in a tight 1–3 loss. In a match where Germany needed their star opposite to dominate, Grozer faced heavy defensive pressure and struggled to find his usual efficiency.Scoring: Grozer scored 16 points
He recorded a 26% attack success rate and committed 5 attack errors and 3 blocked shots.
Despite the Quarterfinal exit, statistics shows Grozer's individual quality during the championships:
  • He ranked 3rd among Best Scorer ranking with 172 total points, behind Emre Batur of Turkiye and Bram Van Den Dries of Belgium.
  • He was the 2nd ranked server with 19 aces behind Dmitry Muserskiy.
  • He ranked 9th in blocking with '''23 kill blocks'''

2014

In 2014, Germany was one of 40 teams that entered the qualification process for the Continental World Championship qualification. The team advanced to the third round, held in Ludwigsburg, where they were placed in Pool K alongside Croatia, Estonia, and Turkey. Germany swept the pool, securing qualification for the 2014 World Championship in Poland.
In the tournament proper, the team’s opposite saw limited action, appearing in only two matches and scoring a total of 33 points.
World Championship 2014
The 2014 FIVB Men's Volleyball World Championship was held in Poland. Upon qualifying, this marked Grozer's maiden debut at the said championship.
First Round
Germany opened its 2014 World Championship campaign with a straight-sets loss to Brazil, 0–3. Despite the defeat, the opposite led Germany in scoring, finishing with 11 points. He converted 9 of 22 spike attempts, added 2 service aces, and contributed 3 block points.
Germany responded emphatically in its second pool match, sweeping Cuba 3–0 at the Spodek Arena in Katowice, winning 75–56 in total points in a match that lasted 1 hour and 16 minutes. Their star attacker delivered a dominant all-around performance, finishing as the match’s top scorer with 19 points. He was highly efficient in attack, converting 13 of 19 spike attempts, and supplemented his scoring with 2 block points and 4 service aces.
Germany secured a 3–1 victory over Tunisia in its third pool match. The match lasted 1 hour and 31 minutes, with Germany largely in control despite dropping the third set. Grozer saw limited action, appearing only in the fourth set, where he scored 5 points on 6 attack attempts, providing a late offensive boost as Germany closed out the match decisively. With him rested, the scoring load was carried by Marcus Böhme, who finished as Germany’s top scorer with 12 points.
Germany claimed a hard-fought 3–1 victory over Finland in a tightly contested match lasting 1 hour and 53 minutes, edging Finland 95–88 in total points. The opposite remained a key offensive contributor, finishing with 14 points, including 13 from 33 spike attempts and 1 service ace. Denys Kaliberda led the team with 17 points, while Marcus Böhme added 15.
Germany closed the first round with a convincing 3–0 win over Korea, dominating the match from start to finish and winning 75–50. Grozer scored 10 points, including 6 successful spikes, along with 3 block points and 1 ace. Denys Kaliberda led the scoring with 14 points, while [Sebastian Sebastian Schwarz (volleyball)|Schwarz (volleyball)|Sebastian Schwarz] and Marcus Böhme each contributed 9 points. The match served as a conclusion to Germany’s first-round campaign.
In a post-match interview following Germany’s victory over Korea, head coach Vital Heynen emphasized the team’s preparation and objectives.
“Our team was impressed by the Korean team. We prepared very well for today’s match, with full respect for the opponent. We are happy because our goal was to stay in Katowice, and we have achieved that.”
Second Round
In the second round of the 2014 World Championship, Germany was placed in Pool E alongside China, Bulgaria, Russia, and Canada. They finished third in the pool with 5 match points from 2 wins and 2 losses, securing a spot in the next stage of the tournament.
Germany opened with a 3–0 win over China, with Grozer leading the scoring with 17 points, including 14 spikes, 2 blocks, and 1 ace. The following day, they defeated Bulgaria 3–1, where he delivered a standout performance of 19 points, adding 10 spikes, 1 block, and an impressive 8 aces.
Against a stronger Russian team, Germany fell 0–3. Grozer remained the team’s top scorer with 10 points, contributing 7 spikes, 1 block, and 3 aces, though it wasn’t enough to secure a set. Germany closed the pool round with a hard-fought 3–0 win over Canada, where Grozer added 18 points to help secure the victory.
DateOpponentResultSets Grozer PointsSpike BlockServe
10/09/2014China3–025–19, 25–22, 25–171714/2521
11/09/2014Bulgaria3–125–16, 25–15, 23–25, 25–171910/2218
13/09/2014Russia0–317–25, 18–25, 24–26107/2713
14/09/2014Canada3–028–26, 25–22, 25–231815/2621

On the 2nd round, Grozer scored 64 points in four matches, averaging 16 points per match, consistently leading Germany’s offense.
Third Round
Germany was placed in a three-team pool with France and Iran in Pool G. The team finished second with 1 win and 1 loss, scoring 3 match points and narrowly advancing based on set and point ratios.
The team opened with a 0–3 loss to France, where György Grozer led Germany in scoring with 14 points, including 12 successful spikes and 2 blocks.
Germany bounced back in their second match, defeating Iran 3–0, with Grozer delivering an outstanding performance of 23 points, including 18 spikes, 1 block, and 4 service aces.
His scoring, combined with contributions from Marcus Böhme, Denys Kaliberda, and Max Günthör, proved decisive in securing the victory. Germany’s second-place finish in the pool allowed them to advance to the final stages of the tournament.
Semi-finals: Germany vs. Poland
Germany faced host nation Poland in the semi-finals of the 2014 FIVB Men’s World Championship at the Spodek Arena in Katowice. The match drew a raucous home crowd, with over 12,000 spectators.
Poland began the first set with aggressive serving and effective blocking, quickly taking a 2–0 lead. Germany responded with disciplined play and a series of points led by György Grozer, whose ace extended Germany’s advantage to 8–4. Despite Germany’s early lead, Poland steadily clawed back, capitalizing on precise serves from Michał Winiarski and powerful attacks from Karol Kłos. The set remained tightly contested, tied at 23–23, before Poland edged out Germany 26–24, with Michal Kubiak finishing the set decisively at the net.
The second set showcased Poland’s tactical discipline and resilience, building a two-point advantage early and maintaining momentum through strong counter-attacks. Germany kept the score close, with Dirk Westphal and Max Günthör contributing key points, and Grozer’s powerful serves helping Germany catch up to 21–21. However, Poland’s efficient blocking and precision attacks allowed them to secure the set 28–26, taking a commanding 2–0 lead.
Germany rallied in the third set, displaying tactical adjustments and resilient defense. Both teams traded points early, with Poland initially taking a narrow lead. Germany, relying on the offensive firepower of Grozer and Denys Kaliberda, gradually closed the gap. Grozer’s consistent spikes and strategic serves enabled Germany to seize the set 25–23, marking a vital response and demonstrating their ability to challenge the hosts.
The fourth set was a tense, point-for-point battle. Germany initially led with contributions from Westphal and Jochen Schöps, but Poland’s aggressive serving, efficient blocking, and smart counter-attacks kept the scoreboard even. Despite Grozer’s efforts, including spikes and a service ace, and Kaliberda’s 18-point performance, Germany could not overcome Poland’s momentum. Poland ultimately won the set 25–21, clinching the match 3–1 and securing a place in their second World Championship gold medal match in history.
In the semi-final against Poland, György Grozer scored a total of 14 points for Germany, contributing 12 points from spikes, one block, and one service ace.
Bronze Medal Match: Germany vs France
Germany captured the bronze medal at the 2014 FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship with a straight-set victory over France in front of a packed Spodek Arena, marking a sweet “revenge against Les Bleus” after they defeated them in the pool stages. György Grozer led the German offense with 19 points, followed by Denys Kaliberda with 13 and Sebastian Schwarz with 12 points. On the French side, Antonin Rouzier and Earvin N'Gapeth tallied 12 and 11 points, respectively.
Germany started strong in the first set, building an early lead with fine spikes from Tim Broshog, Schwarz, and Kaliberda. France fought back, leveling at 11-11, but Germany regained composure, with Grozer finishing the set with an ace. The second set saw Germany maintain a narrow lead, with Grozer delivering key spikes to give his team a 14-11 advantage. France briefly surged ahead at 16-15, but Germany responded with aggressive serving and Kaliberda’s decisive spike to close the set 26-24. In the third set, both teams exchanged leads, but Germany’s disciplined defense, combined with strategic blocks from Schwarz and Böhme, allowed them to maintain the edge. Although Grozer missed the first match point, Kaliberda’s final spike sealed the 25-23 set and the bronze medal for Germany.
Germany’s opposite György Grozer was the team’s most prolific scorer, finishing third overall in total points at the tournament with 193 points, comprising 151 spikes, 16 blocks, and 26 service aces. He trailed only Poland’s Mariusz Wlazly and France’s Antonin Rouzier.
Grozer became the tournament's third best scorer as he recorded 151 successful spikes out of 310 attempts, achieving a success rate of 48.71%, behind Antonin Rouzier's 244 and Mariusz Wlazly's 233.
His teammate Denys Kaliberda contributed 129 spikes from 247 attempts, with an efficiency of 52.23%, ranking him second among all spikers at the tournament behind Brazil’s Ricardo Lucarelli. Grozer was ranked 5th with a success rate of 48.71% success rate.
Germany’s middle blocker Marcus Böhme led the team with 27 successful stuff blocks, averaging 0.63 per set. György Grozer also contributed 16 stuff blocks from 75 attempts, averaging 0.37 per set.
Grozer was Germany’s top server, scoring 26 aces over 166 service attempts, averaging 0.60 aces per set. This placed him as the most effective server in the German squad and first overall among the tournament leaders.
This victory secured Germany’s first medal as a unified nation in the history of the FIVB Men’s World Championship.

2015

Germany participated in the 2015 European Championships, finishing in 8th place. The team reached the quarterfinals in Sofia, where they were ultimately defeated by Bulgaria. During the tournament, György Grozer scored a total of 46 points, averaging 3.83 points per set.

2016

Germany hosted the 2016 European Olympic Qualification tournament in Berlin but failed to secure a spot at the Rio Olympic Games. The team reached the semifinals, where they faced Poland in a tense rematch following their group-stage encounter. In a dramatic five-set thriller, Germany lost 2–3, Grozer contributed 23 points, including 17 spikes, 2 aces, and 4 blocks, which kept Germany competitive during several pivotal rallies, but was unable to prevent Poland from advancing to the World Olympic Qualification Tournament in Japan.
Coach Vital Heynen reflected on the match, noting Germany’s competitiveness and the fine margins that separated the two sides:
"We played our match and this is good. We played so well that we only missed one point to beat the world champions and stay in the race for Rio. However, Poland were better in the end and they deserved to win. I am confident that in four years Germany will be competing at the Tokyo Olympics."
Despite Germany’s valiant effort, the defeat ended their campaign to qualify directly for Rio. This marked the end of Germany's streak after having qualified for the 2008 and 2012 edition.
György Grozer finished the tournament as the second-highest scorer, accumulating 81 points across five matches at an average of 4.76 points per set, behind Poland’s Bartosz Kurek, who scored 86 points. Despite his strong individual performance, Germany was unable to secure Olympic qualification.

2017

After the heartbreak of missing Rio 2016, the team arrived in Szczecin, Poland for EuroVolley 2017.
Pool stage
Germany performed well and topped in the group stage held at the Netto Arena in Szczecin, winning all three matches to top the group and advance directly to the quarterfinals. The Germans won the opening match against Italy, where Germany recovered from a 1–2 set deficit to win in a tie-break. The best player of the match was the German opposite with 28 points, consisting of 20 winning spike, 4 aces, and 4 winning block. That was then followed by a clear sweep against Czech Republic and Slovakia where Grozer scored 19 points against the Czechs, but did not play in the third game against Slovakia.
Quarterfinals
The German team and the Czechs faced off again on Quarterfinals where Germany won 3 -1. György Grozer was again the decisive factor, scoring a match-high 23 points. While the Czech Republic relied heavily on Michal Finger and the serving pressure of Donovan Džavoronok which had 3 aces, Germany's block defense made the difference in the final two sets.
This victory set up the semifinal against Serbia.
Semifinals
In the first semifinal of the 2017 European Championship, Germany achieved a historic comeback against Serbia to reach their first-ever European Championship final. Trailing 0–2 in sets and facing two match points in the fourth set, the German team rallied to win 3–2. The victory guaranteed Germany its first European medal, surpassing their previous best finishes of 4th place.
The match was characterized by two distinct halves: Serbia dominated the opening two sets with superior blocking and serving, while Germany, led by György Grozer and a revitalized block defense, controlled the latter stages. The tie-break ended controversially when a challenge system review awarded Germany the final point, sealing the 15–13 victory. Germany won 3–2.
György Grozer was the match's top scorer with 20 points, despite struggling significantly in the first two sets. Serbia's Uroš Kovačević led his team with 19 points. The blocking battle was intense, with both teams recording 13 blocks each.
In the post-match interview, the German national team coach Andrea Giani shared his thoughts after winning the match:
"It was an incredible match, especially since we lost two sets at the beginning. It is important for our players to believe that they can win, and it is important to fight until the end. We won many matches before this tournament, because we worked a lot and improved our system of play. When we came back to the court after the break, we did a good job especially with our spikers and blockers. Our game in defence was very important in this match as well."
Finals
In the grand finale of the 2017 European Championship, Germany faced the undefeated Russian squad. While Russia was aiming for their 14th European title, Germany was appearing in its first-ever European Championship final. The match lived up to expectations, spanning five dramatic sets. despite a heroic performance by György Grozer, who scored a match-high 27 points, Germany narrowly lost in the tie-break.
Russia’s Maxim Mikhailov was named the tournament MVP.
György Grozer carried the German offense with 27 points. Russia displayed a more balanced attack led by Maxim Mikhailov and a dominant blocking performance from Dmitriy Volkov, who recorded 5 blocks alone.
Russia applied immediate pressure with aces from Dmitriy Volkov, taking an early 7–2 lead. Germany rallied to tie the score at 14–14 thanks to aggressive serving from Grozer. However, Russia pulled away late, utilizing substitute Maksim Zhigalov's service pressure to close the set.
Germany responded emphatically, racing to a 6–2 lead. The German block defense neutralized the Russian attack, and Grozer’s offensive output leveled the match at 1–1.
A highly competitive set featuring high-level play from both sides. Grozer served an ace to tie the game at 12–12, and Lukas Kampa added another to give Germany a 17–16 lead. However, Russia composed themselves in "money time," with Mikhailov securing the final points to retake the lead.
Germany played their best volleyball of the tournament in this set. Led by young middle blocker Tobias Krick, Germany dominated the net, surging to a 16–10 lead. A triple-block on Volkov extended the lead to 21–12, and Grozer forced the tie-break with ease.
Germany started the decider with huge momentum, leading 5–2. However, unforced errors allowed Russia to claw back and take a 7–6 lead. A scary moment occurred when Grozer fell and appeared injured, but he stayed in the match to score immediately after. With the score tied late, Russia’s experience prevailed, and Mikhailov scored the championship-winning point.
After the match, the coach of Germany shared his thoughts:
"We played an incredible match tonight, in our head this is a victory... I can say with pleasure that I love my players, because they remained always focused; they showed a lot of power and energy."
The head coach of the winning team Sergey Shlyapnikov speaks about how tough it was for the rest of the Russian team:
"It was a tough final match, but it is a final of a European Championship so it cannot be an easy game. We started the match very well; however, Germany soon improved their game. I was aware that anything could happen here, because we were fighting for the gold medal. So even when Germany led 5-2 in the tiebreak, I still believed in our victory and I said it to my players as well."
With the conclusion of the 2017 European Championship, the final standings were set. Germany's silver medal qualified them directly for the 2019 European Championship.
György Grozer's performance was important to Germany's silver medal run. He accumulated 117 points across 5 matches. His offensive output was highly efficient, averaging 5.32 points per set.
Beyond his scoring, Grozer was effective from the service line and at the net, recording 12 aces and 11 blocks. In recognition of his dominance, he was selected for the tournament's "Dream Team."
The silver medal marked Germany's best finish since the national team joined the competition following reunification. It eclipsed their previous record of fourth place and stands as a high-water mark for the program, as they failed to achieve the same feat in the next editions of the tournament.

2018–2020: World Championship absence and Olympic heartbreak

Following the historic silver medal at the 2017 European Championship, the German national team entered a period of stagnation and missed opportunities. The team failed to qualify for the 2018 FIVB World Championship, marking their first absence from the global tournament since 2006. In 2019, they were unable to replicate their European success, exiting the European Championship in the quarterfinals after a 0–3 loss to Poland.
The era culminated in January 2020, when Germany hosted the European Olympic Qualification tournament in Berlin, aiming to secure the sole remaining ticket to the Tokyo Olympics.
2020: Road To Tokyo
The qualification pathway for the men’s volleyball tournament at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo consisted of two main stages: the Intercontinental Olympic Qualification Tournament held in August 2019, followed by the Continental Olympic Qualification Tournaments, which offered a final opportunity for teams that had failed to qualify earlier. Each continental qualifier awarded only one Olympic berth, making the European tournament a high-stakes, winner-take-all event.
Germany entered the CEV Tokyo Volleyball European Qualification Tournament 2020 as hosts. The event was held at the Max-Schmeling-Halle in Berlin from 5 to 10 January 2020 and featured eight European teams competing in a do-or-die format, with only the tournament winner earning a place at the Tokyo Games.
Group Stage (Pool A)
Germany were drawn into Pool A, alongside Slovenia, Belgium, and the Czech Republic. They opened their campaign with a dominant 3–0 victory over the Czech Republic, followed by another straight-sets win against Belgium the following day. Entering the final pool match unbeaten, Germany faced Slovenia and opted for squad rotation, ultimately suffering a narrow 2–3 loss. Despite the defeat, Germany advanced to the semifinals as pool runners-up.
Semi Finals
In the semifinal round on 9 January 2020, Germany faced Bulgaria and capitalised on strong home support to secure a 3–1 victory. The match was decided in the closing stages by György Grozer, who scored the winning spike on match point. Grozer finished as Germany’s top scorer with 17 points.
Finals
The final pitted Germany against France, who had mounted a dramatic comeback from two sets down against Slovenia in their semifinal. The championship match, proved one-sided, as France claimed a straight-sets victory over Germany. France’s balanced team performance, orchestrated by Antoine Brizard and anchored defensively by libero Jenia Grebennikov, overwhelmed the German side, denying the hosts the single Olympic berth available. With the loss, Germany officially failed to qualify for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. Despite the disappointment, György Grozer delivered a strong individual tournament, finishing among Germany’s most productive players with 20 points.

Retirement

Following the European qualifier, Grozer announced his retirement from the German national team for the 2nd time, first being in 2016, bringing an end to a long international career.
On his Instagram account, he posted:
“It’s been a while since I’ve posted my last post, but it’s still hard to say and express my feelings.
We worked so hard as a team to get to the Olympic games but this hard qualification system stopped us right in front of the open door. And that’s it, only one team can go and chase a dream and I’m really sorry that that team is not our team.
But what I want to say…. A big thanks goes to everyone who supported us, who helped us and believed in us until the last ball that hit the floor.
It was a great pleasure to fight in previous years alongside my teammates from @team_germany_volleyball and everyone else involved.
We have achieved very important goals together and I am proud of all the steps we have taken together.
Danke schön”

Return to the National team

Following a period of rebuilding, the German men's national team, Die Adler targeted a return to the Olympic Games for the first time since London 2012. Their path to qualification was determined by the FIVB Road to Paris Olympic Qualification Tournaments.

2024: Road to Paris

Germany secured participation in the OQTs based on their standing in the FIVB World Rankings. As of 12 September 2022, Germany was the 17th highest-ranked non-qualified team, placing them comfortably within the 24-team field eligible for the tournaments.
Germany was placed in Pot 5, alongside Mexico and Tunisia. Using the serpentine system, Germany was drawn into Pool A, hosted by Brazil in Rio de Janeiro. This placement resulted in a challenging group that included the host nation Brazil and the reigning World Champions, Italy, as well as Iran, Cuba, Ukraine, Czech Republic, and Qatar.
vs. Iran
Germany dominated the offensive statistics, registering 59 attack points compared to Iran's 40. German opposite György Grozer was the match's top scorer with 23 points, including 3 aces. Outside hitter Moritz Karlitzek contributed 17 points, all from attacks. For Iran, Amirhossein Esfandiar led the scoring with 11 points, followed by middle blocker Mohammad Valizadeh with 10 points.
vs. Cuba
Following their opening win against Iran, Germany faced Cuba on 1 October 2023. Despite dropping the first set, the German team rallied behind another dominant performance from György Grozer to win 3–1. György Grozer improved on his opening performance, scoring a match-high 24 points.
vs. Brazil
After winning two consecutive matches, Germany faced the host team in the historic Maracanãzinho in Rio de Janeiro on 3 October 2023. Germany once again shocked the entire volleyball world with a 3–1 win against the pool favorites, Brazil.
Grozer was again the difference-maker, scoring 27 points. The fourth set was a dramatic affair, with Germany holding their nerve in the tie-break deuce to close out the match 28–26.
In a post match Interview, the team captain shared his opinion after a 4-set stunner against Brazil:
"I have goosebumps, I can’t believe what we did here today,” the opposite said on his way out of the court. “I want to congratulate the entire team, it’s an incredible result and we’re still processing it."
The upset propelled Germany to second place in Pool A, with three wins and nine points. The Germans will have another important match, when they will face world champions Italy.
vs. Italy
Less than 24 hours after beating Brazil, Germany faced the reigning World Champions, Italy. Continuing their "giant-killing" run, they defeated Italy 3–1 to move to the top of Pool A as the only undefeated team.
György Grozer delivered a masterclass performance, scoring a tournament-high 31 points. Moritz Reichert and Anton Brehme provided crucial support with 12 points each.
vs. Czechia
After a rest day, Germany resumed play against the Czech Republic. Avoiding a letdown after their high-profile wins, they secured a clean sweep to maintain their perfect record.
Grozer scored 14 points, with 13 attack points and an ace.
vs. Qatar
Germany officially clinched their Olympic spot with a dominant 3–0 victory over Qatar. The win guaranteed a top-two finish in Pool A.
Middle blocker Anton Brehme led the scoring with 14 points, while Grozer added 13 points.
vs. Ukraine
With qualification already secured, Germany played their final match against Ukraine on 8 October 2023. They completed a perfect tournament with another sweep, finishing 7–0.
The victory confirmed Germany's first Olympic appearance since London 2012. Veteran opposite and captain György Grozer, who contributed 13 points, was emotional after the match:
"This is crazy, it's such an incredible feeling, I can't even understand it. That shows you should never stop believing in your dreams. That's what we did and we're going to Paris."
The improbable nature of Germany's undefeated run was a major talking point in the volleyball community. On the 9x9 Volleyball Podcast, hosts Rob St. Claire and Everett Delorme discussed the team's dominance in their emergency coverage of the qualifier:
Everett Delorme:
"...no one could've seen this Rob....No one, could've predicted how dominant they were, how clean they've looked, how much of an absolute monster Grozer is. This was something else. We may never see a German team this good ever again."
Rob St. Claire:
"...they destroyed everyone they've played"
György Grozer finished as the second-highest scorer in the entire tournament.
Best Scorers
Best Attackers
Grozer finished behind Belgium's Ferre Regers and Egyptian player Rada Haikal.
He also tallied 11 stuff blocks, and 16 digs.
Germany completed the tournament with a 7–0 match record, winning 21 of 26 sets and finishing first in Pool A, thereby securing direct qualification for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.
Germany’s performance at the Rio de Janeiro OQT is regarded as the most successful Olympic qualification campaign in the history of German men’s volleyball. Entering the tournament ranked outside the top 15, Germany defeated multiple higher-ranked opponents, including two top-five teams, without dropping a decisive fifth set.
The qualification ended a 12-year Olympic absence for the German men’s national team, following failed qualification attempts for the 2016 Rio and 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.
Germany also achieved the highest point gain of 59.34 in the FIVB World Ranking during the 2024 Olympic Qualification Tournament, climbing six positions in the standings.”

Paris 2024">2024 Summer Olympics">Paris 2024

Ahead of the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, all final rosters for the volleyball tournament were released on 9 July 2024, confirming 312 athletes across 24 teams set to compete from 27 July to 11 August 2024. Initially, teams announced wide rosters of up to 25 athletes in June, but the final squads were narrowed to 13 players each. This marked the first time in Olympic volleyball history that a non-competing athlete could be included as a last-minute replacement in case of injury or illness, an increase from the previous limit of 12 athletes per team.
For Germany, György Grozer, a longstanding figure in German volleyball was the lone opposite of the squad.
Drawing of Lots
The drawing of lots for the men’s tournament took place on 26 June 2024 in Łódź, Poland, organized by the FIVB to determine the preliminary round pool compositions. Teams were seeded based on the FIVB World Rankings, and France, as the host nation, was automatically placed at the top of Pool A. The remaining teams were drawn into three pools of four using a serpentine system to ensure balanced competition.
Germany was placed in Pool C, alongside Japan, the United States, and Argentina, setting up a competitive group stage in which each team played all others in the pool. The top two teams from each pool, along with the two best third-placed teams, advanced to the quarterfinals.
The official YouTube broadcast of the drawing of lots can be viewed .
Pool Composition – Men’s Volleyball, Paris 2024:
Pool A: France, Slovenia, Canada, SerbiaPool B: Poland, Italy, Brazil, EgyptPool C: Japan, United States, Argentina, Germany
In a Men’s Volleyball Pool Preview produced in collaboration with 9×9 Volleyball Podcast and Volleyball World, host Rob St. Claire identified Germany’s reliance on their veteran opposite as a central talking point. Discussing the team’s outlook, he pointed out the importance of György Grozer’s leadership and role as the primary scorer, noting the rarity of such a team structure in the modern men’s game:
“…it’s kind of a throwback to a previous era of volleyball, when the men’s game was dominated by a high-volume scoring opposite with that level of physicality, something teams are rarely built around anymore. It has an old-school feel, reminiscent of the era when Grozer took the world by storm in the late 2000s and throughout the 2010s.
The question now is whether he can replicate what he did last year in Rio at age 39. That question alone has the potential to turn this pool on its head, and possibly influence the entire Olympic tournament. I can’t overstate how important Grozer’s level of play is to Germany and to what happens across this competition.
.... it's just so fascinating how important this tournament's going to be for this team based on the oldest player in the field. watch him Georg Grozer, and enjoy him while you can."
Match Number 1: Germany vs. Japan
Germany opened their Paris 2024 Olympic campaign with a five-set victory over Japan, ranked No. 2 in the world, in their Pool C opener at the South Paris Arena. The match marked Germany’s first Olympic men’s volleyball appearance since the 2012 London Games and resulted in their first Olympic victory since that tournament.
Japan entered the match as favorites but were immediately put under pressure by Germany’s aggressive serving and dominant blocking. Germany surged to an early 9–2 lead in the opening set, fueled by strong attacking from György Grozer and Tobias Brand, and closed the set convincingly 25–17.
Japan responded in the second set, recovering from an early deficit to level the score at 23–23. A German block error followed by a quick middle attack from Taishi Onodera and a decisive kill by Yuki Ishikawa allowed Japan to take the set and even the match at one set apiece. Momentum briefly shifted in Japan’s favor in the third set, with Yuji Nishida leading the offense in a 25–20 win to give Japan a 2–1 lead.
Germany regrouped in a tightly contested fourth set. After trailing early, the Germans rallied to a 19–16 advantage behind renewed pressure at the net. The set extended beyond regulation, with both teams exchanging match points. At 28–28, Anton Brehme delivered a crucial block to give Germany set point, before a Japanese attack error sealed the set 30–28, forcing a deciding fifth set.
In the final set, Germany established control early, opening a 7–3 lead and maintaining their blocking advantage. Japan stayed within reach, but Germany’s net defense proved decisive. At 14–12, Moritz Karlitzek scored the match-winning point to secure a 3–2 victory.
Germany finished the match with an 18–8 advantage in blocks, a key statistical factor in the upset. György Grozer led the German scoring effort with 24 total points, including 15 attacks, five blocks, and four aces.
Grozer delivered a decisive all-around performance in Germany’s Olympic opener, finishing as the match’s top scorer with 24 points. He led the German offense with 15 attack points, while also contributing significantly at the net with five blocks and from the service line with four aces. Grozer’s scoring presence was instrumental in Germany’s fast start, their resilience during the extended fourth set, and their control in the decisive fifth set, making it one of the most notable upsets of the men’s tournament group stage.
Match Number 2: Germany vs. USA
Germany’s momentum from their opening-day upset was tested in their second Pool C match, as they fell to the United States in another five-set contest at the South Paris Arena. Despite rallying from a two-set deficit, Germany were unable to complete the comeback, losing 3–2 in a match.
The United States controlled the opening phase of the match, applying consistent service pressure and maintaining a stable side-out game. Led by Matthew Anderson, the Americans held Germany at bay in the first set and closed it 25–21 with an ace from Aaron Russell. Their dominance was more pronounced in the second set, where Torey DeFalco capped a strong attacking performance with a block to seal a 25–17 win and a two-set lead.
Germany responded decisively in the third set. Capitalizing on American errors and improving their efficiency in attack, the Germans surged to an early 7–2 lead and never relinquished control. Moritz Karlitzek spearheaded the offense and finished the set with a decisive spike to secure a 25–17 win. Germany carried the momentum into the fourth set, breaking away after an early deadlock and leveling the match at two sets apiece with a 25–20 victory, powered by Karlitzek and György Grozer.
The deciding fifth set swung early in Germany’s favor at 5–4, but a sustained serving run by Maxwell Holt, including consecutive aces, allowed the United States to seize control. Despite Germany’s late push, the Americans closed the tie-breaker 15–11, with DeFalco earning match point before a German service error ended the contest.
The United States finished with a nadvantage from the service line, recording 11 aces compared to Germany’s six, a key factor in the outcome. Moritz Karlitzek led Germany with 21 points, while György Grozer added 16 points, continuing his consistent scoring output in Pool C play.
Grozer once again provided offensive stability for Germany, finishing with 16 points, including 12 attacks, two blocks, and two aces. His contributions were particularly important during Germany’s third- and fourth-set resurgence, where his scoring presence helped sustain pressure against the American block-defense system. Although Germany fell short in the tie-breaker, Grozer’s back-to-back strong performances underlined his role as a central figure in Germany’s Pool C campaign.
Match Number 2: Germany vs. Argentina
Germany closed their Pool C campaign at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games with a straight-sets victory over Argentina, securing a decisive win that confirmed their advancement from the group stage. The match took place at the South Paris Arena, with Germany delivering a controlled and efficient performance against the defending Olympic bronze medalists, who were eliminated without earning a point in pool play.
Germany asserted control early in the match through superior efficiency at the net and from the service line. Their block-defense system limited Argentina’s attacking options, while consistent side-out play allowed the Germans to maintain scoreboard pressure throughout the opening set. Germany’s offensive balance and reduced error count proved decisive as they steadily built separation.
Argentina attempted to respond through Facundo Conte and Vicentin, but Germany’s structure in transition and blocking presence prevented sustained momentum shifts. The Germans continued to widen the gap in the second set, capitalizing on opponent errors and winning extended rallies to maintain control of the match.
In the final set, Germany further imposed themselves physically, finishing with clear advantages in attacks, blocks, and service points. Argentina struggled to break through the German block, while Germany converted efficiently in key moments to close the match in straight sets and secure a comprehensive Pool C victory.
Germany finished the match with a 75–55 advantage in total points, including advantages in attacks, blocks, and service points. György Grozer led all scorers for Germany, once again anchoring the offense and providing stability in transition.
Grozer led Germany’s scoring for the 2nd time in Pool C match, finishing with 16 points, including 11 attack points, four blocks, and one ace.
Quarterfinal Elimination: Germany vs. France
Germany were eliminated from the men’s volleyball tournament at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games after a five-set defeat to hosts and defending champions France in the quarterfinals. The match, played at the South Paris Arena, ended 3–2 in favor of France, following a comeback from a two-set deficit by the French side.
The quarterfinal represented a high-stakes all-European clash between two long-standing continental rivals who had faced each other multiple times in major international competitions. Meeting again on the Olympic stage, arguably the highest level of the sport, added further weight to the encounter, particularly with France playing at home and Germany appearing in their first Olympic men’s volleyball tournament since 2012.
Germany made a strong start, controlling the opening two sets through disciplined blocking, efficient side-out play, and consistent scoring from György Grozer. The Germans edged a tightly contested second set in extended play to take a 2–0 lead and put the hosts under significant pressure in front of a partisan crowd.
France responded in the third set, gradually shifting momentum behind improved defensive coverage and increased offensive efficiency. Led by Earvin N'Gapeth and Clévenot, the French leveled the match by winning the third and fourth sets, forcing a deciding tie-break. In the fifth set, both teams exchanged leads, but France capitalized on key points late to close the match 15–13 and secure progression to the semifinals.
Despite the loss, Germany pushed the eventual gold medalists to the limit and finished the match narrowly behind France in total points. Grozer led all scorers for Germany with 22 points, while Anton Brehme and Tobias Krick provided significant contributions at the net. The match later came to be regarded as a turning point in France’s Olympic campaign, with the hosts going on to defeat Italy in the semifinals and Poland in the gold medal match to successfully defend their Olympic title.
György Grozer delivered Germany’s most impactful performance in the quarterfinal, finishing as the team’s top scorer with 22 points. He led the German attack with 17 kill points and remained effective throughout all five sets, and continued scoring presence as the match extended into the tie-break. Grozer also contributed at the net and from the service line, registering four blocks and one ace. His offensive output kept Germany competitive against the hosts and eventual Olympic champions, particularly during the decisive moments of the opening two sets and the closing stages of the match.
The quarterfinal meeting between Germany and France continued a recurring all-European rivalry that has unfolded across major international competitions over the past decade. The two teams have faced each other in the European Championships, FIVB national team events, and Olympic qualification tournaments, often in high-stakes matches. György Grozer, a fixture of the German side throughout much of this period, has been present for many of these encounters against France. Their meeting at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games marked the first Olympic knockout-stage clash between the sides, coming against the backdrop of France’s status as defending champions and hosts, and Germany’s return to the Olympic tournament after a twelve-year absence. The match added another chapter to their shared history, with France’s comeback victory serving as a defining moment in their eventual gold medal run.
Key performers – György Grozer
Throughout the Paris 2024 Olympic tournament, György Grozer remained Germany’s offensive figure, finishing as the 10th-highest scorer overall. He amassed 78 points, comprising 55 attack points, 15 blocks, and 8 service points.

Honors

Club

CEV Champions League

Individual awards

2008: European League – Best scorer2009: European League – Best blocker2010: German Volleyball Player of the Year2011: German Volleyball Player of the Year2012: German Volleyball Player of the Year2013: German Volleyball Player of the Year2014: German Volleyball Player of the Year2016: Asian Club Championship – Best opposite spiker2017: Asian Club Championship – Best opposite spiker2017: CEV European Championship – Best opposite spiker

Records

  • 39 points in one match – Olympic Games 2012 record
  • 15 aces in one match in Korean League.

Statistics