Germany name their 14 for EuroVolley 2026 in Romania

Germany have completed their preparations for the 2026 Men’s European Championship and head coach Massimo Botti has confirmed the 14-player squad that will represent the Bundesteam at EuroVolley.

The final selection was made after Germany’s two preparation matches against the Netherlands in Potsdam, with the German Volleyball Federation initially announcing a group of 16 players before the squad had to be reduced to the final tournament roster. Libero Leonard Graven and middle blocker Karl Möller were the two players left out.
The biggest absence, however, had already been confirmed. Germany will have to cope without their most recognisable figure, veteran opposite Georg Grozer, who will miss the European Championship. At the same time, Botti has opted to bring back two players who were not part of Germany’s Nations League campaign this summer: setter Johannes Tille and outside hitter Moritz Karlitzek.

Germany will begin their EuroVolley campaign with a squad built around experience, athleticism and considerable versatility:

Setters: Johannes Tille, Jan Zimmermann
Opposite: Jan Böhme
Outside hitters: Moritz Reichert, Moritz Karlitzek, Tim Peter, Tobias Brand, Theo Mohwinkel, Erik Röhrs
Middle blockers: Anton Brehme, Florian Krage-Brehmer, Tobias Krick, Simon Thörwien
Libero: Ruben Schott

One of the most striking features of Botti’s selection is the decision to travel with just one nominal opposite, Jan Böhme, while taking no fewer than six outside hitters. That imbalance is clearly intentional and gives the German coaching staff several possibilities for changing the team’s shape during the tournament. Erik Röhrs, in particular, can provide an additional solution when Germany need to alter their attacking options.
The Germans finished their preparation on a positive note, defeating the Netherlands twice in Potsdam.
In the second meeting, Germany produced a convincing 3-0 victory, 25:17, 25:18, 25:20. Röhrs led the scoring with 12 points, while middle blocker Anton Brehme contributed 11 and Karlitzek marked his return with 10. Tille was named MVP after directing the German attack throughout a dominant performance.
The most dramatic moment of Germany’s preparation, however, came earlier in Italy, where Botti’s team faced the hosts, Cuba and Brazil in a demanding international tournament. Against the reigning world champions, Germany produced one of the most extraordinary sets seen in international volleyball in recent years, eventually losing it 66-64 after an incredible 89-minute battle. Italy eventually survived to win the match 3-2, 64:66, 25:22, 23:25, 25:22, 15:12.

That performance offered Germany an important reminder of their potential. Despite the absence of Grozer, the Bundesteam showed that they can compete with the very best and possess enough depth to create problems for stronger opponents.
Germany will now head to Cluj-Napoca for Group D, where they will face France, Turkey, Romania, Switzerland and Latvia. Their EuroVolley journey begins on September 10 against Turkey, before a group stage that could have significant consequences well beyond the standings in Cluj-Napoca.
Indeed, Germany are already on the radar of the Bulgarian camp. The tournament draw means that Group D crosses with Group B in the round of 16, with the possible pairings determined by the final positions: B1 vs D4, B2 vs D3, B3 vs D2 and B4 vs D1.
For Bulgaria, therefore, Germany are not simply another team competing in a different group. Depending on how both pools finish, Botti’s side could become Bulgaria’s first opponent in the knockout phase, with that potential meeting taking place in Sofia.

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