The team comprising Sebastian Zermann, Hendrik Greiwe, Max Fockenbrock, Martin Glosemeyer, Henning Bach, Julia Krey and Jennifer Beel won the tournament, thereby securing the double.
After a good start and a win in the opening match against Lengerich High School, the team suffered two defeats against Friedenschule Lingen and Franziskusgymnasium II. Finishing third in their group, the Georgianum now had to hope for the best. This was because only the two best third-placed teams, alongside the top two from each of the three groups of four, would progress to the quarter-finals. The Georgianum had one win and a goal difference of -5, which saw them qualify for the quarter-finals as the second-best third-placed team (their rival had a goal difference of -7 and also one win).
From then on, everyone got into the game better. The tactical change by coach and player Jennifer Beel – to maintain positions and have Beel handle all the passing – proved effective. Added to this were greater motivation, a positive team spirit and plenty of fun. It could only go well. In the quarter-finals, where a proper set to 15 was played for the first time without time pressure, the Georgianum won 15–11 against the Leoninum from Handrup. In the semi-finals, the Georgianum prevailed 20–18 against the Friedenschule in a nail-biting thriller, having already fended off several match points. The tension reached boiling point at times. The Georgianum kept their nerve and celebrated reaching the final. Awaiting them there was the Franziskusgymnasium I. It was Julia Krey who was in top form and, after trailing 4–6 in the second set, turned the score to 13–6 with a series of serves, paving the way for a two-set victory. In the first set, everyone performed impressively across the board, winning it 15-11. Above all, the precise passes and numerous attacking shots began to make their mark from the knockout stages onwards. The Georgianum fought back and never gave up!
A huge thank you goes to Jennifer Beel, who handled the organisation almost single-handedly, thereby giving everyone else at KuK the breathing space to organise the Open Day, which was taking place at the same time. And thanks are due to the Franziskusgymnasium for making the hall available, as well as to the referees (special thanks from us to Robin Funk, a pupil at our school) and to our own school management for approving the plan to hold the tournament on this long-established date despite the Open Day taking place at the same time. The team would also like to give a special thank you to Oskar Knape and Franz Vehring, who did a fantastic job as the stadium announcers. Thank you both!
Text: Martin Glosemeyer, Photos: Oskar Knape
