It was November-Fest in Fukuoka on Tuesday as Germany surpassed all expectations to beat Brazil's conquerors France 3-1 and preserve their perfect record in Pool B at the FIVB Volleyball World Championship for Men.
The Germans fought back from one set down to earn a 22-25, 25-21, 28-26, 25-22 victory and inflict on France their first defeat of the tournament.
In a battle of unbeaten teams, Germany were never expected to trouble the French, escpecially after the latter's incredible four-set victory over world and Olympic champions Brazil on Sunday.
Germany, with one match in Pool B match remaining against Brazil, take their win-loss record to 4-0 while France drop to 3-1. The French close their preliminary programme on Wednesday against Cuba.
The Germans, beaten by France in a four-nation exhibition last month, entered this tournament with a target of two wins in Pool B. But after an incredible series of results, they go into their final group match as unexpected standard-bearers.
The unfancied Germans have been able to raise their level to match the quality of their opponents thus far and it was no different against the French.
Coming back from an 8-6 deficit, Ralph Bergmann and Bjorn Andrae sent in some sizzlers to put Germany 11-9 ahead.
The key for Germany, however, was to defuse the power of French spiker Frantz Granvorka, one of the most devastating attackers in the tournament.
Indeed, it was Granvorka who brought France back to 13-13 from 13-11 down and his effort from the left, blocked out of play by Germany, helped the French to a 16-15 advantage.
France then went on a surge, stretching their lead to 19-15 before Granvorka hit long as Guillaume Samica and Romain Vadeleux started to exert influence.
With Oliver Kieffer, injured for the previous game, back in the French line-up, and libero Jean-Francois saving almost everything, Germany were going to need to raise their play to a level they've never previously reached if they wanted to come out on top.
France were having none of it, though, as Vadeleux gave them three set points before Germany called time out. Germany saved one and then Granvorka closed the set for France.
France pulled away early in the second set, going 5-2 but settling for an 8-6 first time-out lead.
It was then 16-13 to France but Germany's Christian Pampel, getting an extended run-out in the team, played a key role in bringing his team level and back into the match.
Andrae then made a nuisance of himself but it was Jochen Schops who was the hero of the set for Germany. Coming on with his team 22-21 ahead, Schops sent down three searing serves that gave Germany the set and levelled the match.
Andrae was again in the thick of the action at the start of the second set. The 25-year-old gave Germany their first two points, lost one through a netted serve but had two more to give his team an 8-6 lead.
France needed Granvorka and Samica to step up, especially with Germany getting their points from several players, including the influential Marcus Popp, Andrae, Simon Tischer, Pampel, Bergmann and Stefan Hubner.
Granvorka helped bring France to 11-10 from 10-7 down while Samica brought them to 13-12 down from 13-10. However, two service winners from Pampel took Germany to 16-12.
French coach Phillipe Blain brought Loic Le Marric in for Granvorka while Ludovic Castard replaced setter Pierre Pujol. Castard had an immediate effect, helping France reduce the deficit to 19-16 from 19-14.
Both Granvorka and Pujols were back in as Germany led 21-18, helping France cut it back to 22-21. A French block locked it at 23-23 before Granvorka earned his team set point.
Popp saved one but Granvorka got it back and again, Germany saved. France squandered their third set point before Granvorka smashed wide and Andrae gave Germany the set.
Thomas Kroger was played a key role for Germany in their counter-attacks as they ran with the momentum in the fourth set against what appeared to be a demoralised France.
With their tails up, Germany went 8-4 in front with a small section of Germany supporters making most of the noise.
Germany were now playing on pure passion and adrenaline, using some unorthodox moves to 16-10 up on Popp's fierce drive from the left.
Panic then set into the German camp, with coach Stelian Moculescu needing to call two time-outs as France fought back to trail 17-16.
However, Germany picked up the pace again and established three match points when Samica spiked wide. France saved one but Granvorka thundered his serve into the net to give Germany the match.
