Germany face tough China test as Rhine-Ruhr team sports drawn

Germany were grouped with defending champions People’s Republic of China in the women’s volleyball competition as the Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games team draws were made on Monday. Against the spectacular backdrop of the Luftschiffshangar in Mülheim an der Ruhr, beach volleyball star Karla Borger hit the buzzer on the first fully automated draw at a FISU Games, with Argentina and Mongolia making up the four-team Group A.

"There are a lot of good teams in there,” Borger, a beach volleyball gold medallist from the Shenzhen 2011 Universiade, said. “China are a good team so it's not going to be easy. I think maybe China can win this group, but let's see."

Borger’s current playing partner, Marie Schieder, could yet feature for Team Germany in the competition this July.

"Unfortunately I am too old, I would wish to be younger to compete here in Germany,” she said. “But I wish her the best of luck that she will qualify."

In men’s basketball, defending champions Czechia were drawn in the same group as Brazil to set up a tantalising rematch of the final from two years ago, won 69-67 by Czechia.

“I’m really happy that basketball and 3x3 basketball are part of the Games this year," Sonja Greinacher, who won the 3x3 basketball gold medal for Germany at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, said. “If you want to become the FISU World University Games champion, you gotta beat them all anyway."

A countdown that began almost four years ago entered its final 100 days on Monday as the world’s top university sport administrators and a stellar guest list - including Borger, Greinacher, and Parliamentary State Secretary Mahmut Özdemir - witnessed the first match-ups determined in basketball, volleyball and water polo.

"We want to show the world that we are welcoming and dignified," Özdemir said. “We expect Games that set new standards for sports and inclusion. We want to light a fire - also for possible Olympic Games in Germany in the future."

The Team Draw show formed part of the official Welcome Dinner of the Rhine-Ruhr 2025 Spring Heads of Delegation Meeting, which runs from 6 to 11 April at the Hilton Hotel in Düsseldorf.

The results of the team draw are available here.