In a gripping showdown that showcased the very best of international women’s volleyball, China produced a dramatic comeback to defeat Germany in a five-set thriller at the Volleyball Nations League (VNL). The match, held in Hong Kong, was a testament to China’s resilience and depth, as well as Germany’s growing strength on the global stage.
The Germans started strong, catching the home side off guard with a mix of powerful serves and clever attacking plays. Led by star spiker Hanna Orthmann and setter Pia Kästner, Germany took the opening set 25-21, capitalizing on China’s shaky reception and a flurry of unforced errors.
The second set saw China struggling to find their rhythm once again. Despite vocal support from the home crowd, the hosts fell behind early as Germany’s blocks and backcourt defense stifled China’s usually formidable offense. A string of well-placed serves from Camilla Weitzel pushed Germany further ahead, and they clinched the second set 25-22, putting China in a daunting 0-2 hole.
But if there’s one thing that defines Chinese volleyball, it’s a refusal to surrender. With the match slipping away, head coach Cai Bin made crucial tactical adjustments, bringing on younger players to inject energy into the squad. Star outside hitter Li Yingying stepped up under pressure, delivering a series of thunderous spikes and crucial aces to ignite the comeback.
China tightened their serve receive and began to find holes in the German defense. Libero Wang Mengjie anchored the backline with spectacular digs, giving setter Diao Linyu more options to run a faster offense. The hosts clawed back to take the third set 25-19, shifting the momentum in their favor and sending the home fans into a frenzy.
The fourth set turned into an all-out battle. Germany refused to back down, with Orthmann and Louisa Lippmann pushing hard to close out the match. But China’s blocking game began to dominate at the net, with middle blockers Yuan Xinyue and Wang Yuanyuan combining for crucial stuffs at decisive moments. After a tense back-and-forth, China edged out Germany 26-24 to force a fifth set.
With all the momentum on their side, China stormed into the decider brimming with confidence. They jumped to an early lead thanks to Li Yingying’s relentless attacking and smart plays from veteran Gong Xiangyu. Germany, visibly tiring, fought valiantly but couldn’t match the energy and precision of the Chinese squad in the final moments. China sealed the comeback with a 15-10 victory in the fifth set, sparking wild celebrations among the players and the packed Hong Kong arena.
This win not only adds valuable points for China in the VNL standings but also highlights their mental toughness — a key trait they will need as they eye the Paris Olympics next year. For Germany, the loss is heartbreaking but still encouraging, as they pushed one of the world’s strongest teams to the limit and showed they are more than capable of competing with volleyball’s elite.
After the match, Li Yingying, who finished with a match-high 28 points, praised her teammates for staying calm under immense pressure. “It wasn’t easy being down 0-2, but we trusted each other and fought point by point,” she said. “The fans gave us so much energy tonight.”
Germany’s coach, Vital Heynen, was full of praise for his squad despite the narrow defeat. “We showed great fight and discipline, but China raised their level when it mattered most,” he said. “This is experience we will build on.”
The thrilling contest is yet another reminder of how fiercely competitive women’s volleyball has become. As the VNL heads into its final stages before the quarterfinals, every set, every point, and every comeback could prove decisive in shaping the road to the podium — and both China and Germany have proven they’ll be forces to reckon with
when that time comes.
