Germany are coming off one of the most successful periods in their history after finishing fifth in the 2012 Olympic Games in London and reaching the final round of the FIVB Volleyball World League for the first time in 2012 – also placing fifth – under coach Vital Heynen. The Germans then came a creditable seventh in the 2013 World League. Among the highlights of 2013 were wins over Russia and Bulgaria at the European Championship in Poland. Heynen set his sights high for his team but they failed in their campaign at the 2014 World League, finishing at 16th overall. However, they captured bronze at the 2014 World Championship. They missed the 2015 season of the World League and focused on the European Games where they won gold.

Germany’s historical records encompass the achievements of the GDR (East Germany) along with West Germany and include the former’s gold medal triumphs at the 1969 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Cup and the 1970 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship, plus a silver medal from the 1972 Munich Olympic Games. More recently the Germans won the European League in 2009 and came ninth at Beijing 2008.