Lausanne, Switzerland, March 16, 2018 - Georg Grozer has a dream he hopes to fulfil. Now 33 years old, he has his sights set on playing at another Olympics in Tokyo in 2020. He also hopes to be a part of the German team at this year's inaugural edition of the FIVB Volleyball Nations League.
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“I hope to be able to round off my career with this great German team at the 2020 Olympic Games,” he said. An Olympic medal would complete a remarkable collection, the likes of which no other German volleyballer has ever amassed.
In 2014, Grozer led his country to bronze at the FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship – the first medal for a German team since East Germany claimed gold in 1970. Three years later, Grozer was a key player for his country as they stormed to silver at the 2017 European Championship - the first German medal in the history of the continental championship. He has also enjoyed a successful club career, winning the CEV European Champions League and the FIVB Volleyball Men's Club World Championship with Russian club team Belogorie Belgorod in 2014 and national titles in Germany, Poland, Russia and China.
Family is key for 'Hammerschorsch' (Hammer Georg). And with good reason. The Grozers have been associated with volleyball for generations. Georg's aunt Anna made 90 appearances for Hungary, while his father played 96 matches for Hungary before moving to Germany.
Grozer still cites his father as his principal role model. “I was always proud of my father. He taught me to learn from his mistakes. It wasn't easy to have such a successful father and I always wanted to do better than him. But I've managed to make a name for myself.”
After missing out on qualification for the 2016 Olympics in Rio, Grozer announced his retirement. But he was back with a bang in 2017. After the historic German medal at the 30th European Championship that year, he said: “I am so incredibly proud to have this medal round my neck. This is one of the greatest stories in my career.” The two-metre giant bid a tearful farewell to his teammates on the bus journey home from the final, which Germany lost 3-2 to Russia. “Thank you for letting me be here. It was fun playing with this great group. See you again soon!”
Georg's half-brothers and sister are also involved in volleyball. Tom played for the youth team at Volley-YoungStars Friedrichshafen. A cruciate ligament rupture forced him to take a break before his career really got off the ground. Dora Grozer plays in the German Bundesliga for cup finalists 1. VC Wiesbaden and has played for the German national team. Tim, who appeared for Germany at youth level, now plays for Rottenburg in the Bundesliga.
“I am really proud of my siblings,” said Grozer. “The family is the be-all and end-all for me. That goes for my parents, my siblings, my wife’s family, and also my closest friends. We have a huge family, with very close ties.”
Grozer's father believes several factors explain the sporting success of the Grozer clan. “We can all jump high! We can also hit the ball hard – an attribute only my sister and mother-in-law are lacking a little – but then again, they were setters.” The Grozers also share another characteristic: “We are definitely not good losers but can accept it if somebody simply plays better than we do.”
It goes without saying that Georg Grozer has passed on the volleyball gene. Daughter Leana loves the sport and hopes to follow in her father’s footsteps.