1. Personal life
György Grozer's personal life is rooted in a family tradition of volleyball, which has influenced his career from an early age.
1.1. Early life
Grozer was born in Budapest, Hungary, on November 27, 1984. His early life was immersed in volleyball, as his father, György Grozer Senior, was a former professional volleyball player and coach. Grozer began his youth career in Hungary, playing for Vasas SC from 1992 to 1998 and Dunaferr SC from 1998 to 2000. He continued his junior development with Kométa-Kaposvár SE from 2000 to 2002 before moving to Germany.
1.2. Family
Grozer is married to Violetta, who is Polish. They have two daughters: Leana, born in 2007, and Loreen, born in 2010.
2. Playing career
György Grozer has had a distinguished professional volleyball career, marked by significant contributions to various clubs across Europe and Asia, as well as a long-standing tenure with the German national team. Standing at 6.6 ft (2 m) tall and weighing 225 lb (102 kg), he possesses a powerful spike reach of 147 in (374 cm) and a block reach of 136 in (345 cm).

2.1. Club career
Grozer's club career began in Hungary before he moved to Germany, where he played for Moerser SC from 2002 to 2008. During the 2004-05 season with Moerser SC, he was recognized as the best spiker in the Bundesliga, helping his team achieve a third-place finish.
In the 2008-09 season, Grozer joined VfB Friedrichshafen, where he quickly made an impact. He won two consecutive German Championships with the club in 2009 and 2010. In his first season with VfB Friedrichshafen (2008-09), he was also named the league's Most Valuable Player (MVP) and received the best spiker award.
Following his success in Germany, Grozer moved to the Polish PlusLiga, joining Asseco Resovia for the 2010-11 season. He continued his winning streak, clinching the Polish Championship in the 2011-12 season and earning the league's MVP award. In the same season, he was also the best scorer with 553 points and the best server with 69 aces in the PlusLiga. He also contributed to Asseco Resovia's silver medal finish in the 2011-12 CEV Cup.
From 2012 to 2015, Grozer played for Belogorie Belgorod in the Russian Super League. During this period, he played a crucial role in the team's successes, winning the Russian Super Cup and the National Cup of Russia. He also led Belogorie Belgorod to victory in the 2013-14 CEV Champions League and the 2014 FIVB Volleyball Men's Club World Championship in Brazil.
In the 2015-16 season, Grozer transitioned to the Korean V-League, playing for Samsung Bluefangs. He was instrumental in leading his team to a third-place finish, excelling as the top scorer and server in the league, and earning the Best Opposite Spiker award.
The 2016-17 season saw Grozer move to the Chinese Super League with Shanghai Golden Age, where he helped the team secure the Chinese Championship. After his stint in China, he played for Al Arabi Doha in Qatar, winning the Qatari Cup and earning the Best Opposite Spiker award at the Asian Club Championship.
Grozer returned to Russia for the 2017-18 season, rejoining Belogorie Belgorod. Subsequently, he moved to Zenit Saint Petersburg, playing there for two seasons from 2018 to 2020. In the 2019-20 season, he was recognized as the Best Opposite Spiker in the Russian League.
For the 2020-21 season, he joined Gas Sales Piacenza in the Italian Serie A1, where the team finished 7th in the league. He then moved to Vero Volley Monza for the 2021-22 season, helping them win the 2021-22 CEV Cup and finish as runners-up in the Italian Super Cup. As of the 2023-24 season, Grozer is playing for Arkas İzmir in the Turkish League.
2.2. National team career
Grozer initially represented the Hungarian national team from his senior debut in 2003 until 2006. In 2007, he changed his nationality to German and made his debut for the German national team at the European Championship.
In 2009, he helped Germany secure a gold medal at the European League. He participated in the 2010 World Championship.
Despite an injury in 2011, Grozer's powerful hitting was crucial in leading the German team to qualify for the London 2012 Olympics, where they finished in fifth place. In 2013, he played in the European Championship.
In 2014, Grozer was a key player for Germany at the World Championship held in Poland. Germany achieved a bronze medal by defeating France in the third-place match, and Grozer was noted as the best server in the tournament.
At the 2017 European Championship, Germany earned a silver medal, with Grozer receiving the Best Opposite Spiker award for his performance. He also participated in the 2021 European Championship.
In 2023, Grozer returned to the national team for the Paris 2024 Olympic Qualifiers. He played a significant role in Germany securing a spot at the Paris Olympics by defeating strong teams like Brazil and Italy.
3. Major tournament appearances
György Grozer has made numerous appearances in significant international tournaments with the German national team:
- Olympic Games: 2012
- World Championship: 2010, 2014
- European Championship: 2007, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021, 2023
- European League: 2009
- World League: 2010, 2012
- Olympic Qualifiers: 2023
4. Honours and awards
György Grozer has accumulated an impressive list of club and national team honours, as well as individual awards throughout his career.
4.1. Club honours
Competition | Result | Year(s) | Club |
---|---|---|---|
CEV Champions League | Winner | 2013-14 | Belogorie Belgorod |
FIVB Club World Championship | Winner | 2014 | Belogorie Belgorod |
CEV Cup | Winner | 2021-22 | Vero Volley Monza |
CEV Cup | Runner-up | 2011-12 | Asseco Resovia |
German Championship | Winner | 2008-09, 2009-10 | VfB Friedrichshafen |
Polish Championship | Winner | 2011-12 | Asseco Resovia |
Russian Championship | Winner | 2012-13 | Belogorie Belgorod |
Russian Super Cup | Winner | 2012-13 | Belogorie Belgorod |
Russian National Cup | Winner | 2012-13 | Belogorie Belgorod |
Chinese Championship | Winner | 2016-17 | Shanghai Golden Age |
Qatari Cup | Winner | 2016-17 | Al Arabi Doha |
Italian Super Cup | Runner-up | 2021-22 | Vero Volley Monza |
4.2. National team honours
Competition | Result | Year | Team |
---|---|---|---|
FIVB World Championship | Bronze medal | 2014 | Germany |
CEV European Championship | Silver medal | 2017 | Germany |
European League | Gold medal | 2009 | Germany |
4.3. Individual awards
- 2005: Bundesliga - Best Spiker
- 2008: European League - Best Scorer
- 2009: Bundesliga - MVP
- 2009: Bundesliga - Best Spiker
- 2009: European League - Best Blocker
- 2010: German Volleyball Player of the Year
- 2011: German Volleyball Player of the Year
- 2012: German Volleyball Player of the Year
- 2012: Polish PlusLiga - MVP
- 2012: Polish PlusLiga - Best Scorer
- 2013: German Volleyball Player of the Year
- 2014: German Volleyball Player of the Year
- 2016: Korean V-League - Best Opposite Spiker
- 2016: Asian Club Championship - Best Opposite Spiker
- 2017: Asian Club Championship - Best Opposite Spiker
- 2017: CEV European Championship - Best Opposite Spiker
- 2020: Russian Super League - Best Opposite Spiker
4.4. Records
- Set an Olympic Games record with 39 points in a single match during the 2012 Summer Olympics.
- Achieved a Korean V-League record with 15 aces in a single match.
- Was the best scorer in the 2011-12 PlusLiga with 553 points.
- Was the best server in the 2011-12 PlusLiga with 69 aces.