As Germany steps onto the court of the FIVB VNL 2019, it will also step into a new era as it undergoes changes and improvements to its young team. 

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This German squad is still finding its footing and identity under a young head coach. It should be exciting to see how far they go at this year’s tournament.

2018 FIVB VNL record & stats

Win/loss: 5 / 10 

Points: 15 

Sets win/loss/ratio: 23 / 25 / 0.657 

Points win/loss/ratio: 1220 / 1315 / 0.928 

Final position: 11th

What’s new for Germany in FIVB VNL 2019?

This year’s FIVB VNL will be Germany’s first major tournament without former star outside hitter Maren Fromm. Fromm, who is married to German men’s team star Christian Fromm, retired from international play after the 2018 World Championship, where Germany finished 11th. 

She led Germany to a ninth place-finish in the 2014 World Championship and her absence will be felt for a young team looking to prove itself in world volleyball. 

Germany world ranking: 15 (October 2018)

Germany FIVB VNL 2019 match schedule

Week 1

May 21 at 10:30 AM CT – Thailand v Germany 

May 22 at 1:30 PM CT – Poland v Germany 

May 23 at 10:30 AM CT – Italy v Germany

Week 2

May 28 at 6:30 AM CT – Russia v Germany 

May 29 at 9:30 AM CT – Germany v Turkey 

May 30 at 6:30 AM CT – Japan v Germany

Week 3

June 4 at 4:30 PM CT – Brazil v Germany 

June 5 at 7:30 PM CT – USA v Germany 

June 6 at 4:30 PM CT – Germany v Korea

Week 4

June 11 at 1:30 PM CT – Germany v Dominican Republic 

June 12 at 1:30 PM CT – Germany v Belgium 

June 13 at 1:30 PM CT – Germany v Netherlands

Week 5

June 18 at 6:30 AM CT – China v Germany 

June 19 at 3 AM CT – Serbia v Germany 

June 20 at 3 AM CT – Germany v Bulgaria

Germany games to watch out for in FIVB VNL 2019

Germany’s matches against mid-tier teams like Italy, Russia, Poland and Japan should be exciting to watch. It would be interesting to see how this squad does against more seasoned opponents like USA, Serbia and China. 

Expect Germany to also come out strong against lower-ranked teams, as well.

Germany provisional roster

Head coach: Felix Koslowski 

Setters: Denise Hanke, Pia Kastner, Denise Imoudu, Corina Glaab

Liberos: Lenka Durr, Linda Bock, Anna Pogany 

Middle Blockers: Selma Hetmann, Marie Scholzel, Leonie Schwertmann, Celin Stohr, Camilla Weitzel, Lisa Grunding, Natalie Wilczek, Lea Ambrosius

Wing Spikers (Outside & Opposite Hitters): Jana Franziska Poll, Jennifer Geerties, Nele Barber, Kimberly Drewniok, Lina Alsmeier, Lena Stigrot, Louisa Lippmann, Hanna Orthmann, Luisa Theresa Keller, Elisa Lohmann

Average age: 23.1 (14th oldest)

Average height: 184.4cm (=8th tallest)

Germany players to watch in FIVB VNL 2019: Louisa Lippmann, Denise Hanke

There’s likely going to be a few new faces for Germany at FIVB VNL 2019 but one of the team’s must-watch players is young star Louisa Lippmann. 

5 days to go! We will have action in four venues on the opening day of the #VNL and Germany @TeamGER_Volley ?? will be in the fight!

Much to expect on these ladies! Have a look ?#BePartOfTheGame #volleyball pic.twitter.com/Vz8H02nbiO

— Volleyball World (@FIVBVolleyball) May 16, 2019

The 24-year-old outside hitter has won back-to-back Most Valuable Player awards at the German League from 2016 to 2018 and has the potential to fill the gap Fromm left when she retired. 

Denise Hanke, 29, is a more experienced setter also worth paying attention to. How she impacts Germany’s play should be crucial to their success.

The bottom line: Germany is a young team eager to prove itself

Germany as a whole is a very young team. 

Coach Felix Koslowski is only just 35 years old and on his fourth year on the job. He’s a very passionate, emotional and dynamic coach who’s always intriguing to watch along the sidelines for his reactions. 

Koslowski is leading an equally young team through what he now describes as a “state of flux” as they deal with the loss of former team captain Fromm to retirement. Germany's provisional roster is an interesting mix of experienced players with 11 others who have no international experience at all. 

After an 11th-place finish at last year’s FIVB VNL, Germany will be looking not just to rise in the standings in the short term, but also to work on its chemistry, cohesion and mental resolve for the long run. 

"I'm looking forward to the season and we're going to test new players who can move up and prove themselves to the national team," said Koslowski.

What is a realistic FIVB VNL projection for the Germany women’s team?

Germany may very well retain its 11th spot in the standings at this year’s FIVB VNL but it’s not impossible for them to go a bit higher as well. 

This is a team that’s enthusiastic and eager to prove itself as a real threat to the world-class rivals.

How to watch Germany in FIVB VNL 2019

Watch the 2019 FIVB Volleyball Nations League in its entirety LIVE on FloVolleyball.