Germany take part this year in the FIVB World Championship for the seventh time since reunification. This is in addition to seven appearances by East Germany and eight by West Germany. Germany's best finish in the World Championship as a united country came in 1994, when they finished in fifth place. Previously, East Germany had ranked fourth on two occasions, in 1974 and 1986.
Prior to reunification, East Germany won the women's volleyball silver medal at the Moscow 1980 Olympic Games. The East German team were also crowned European champions in 1983 and 1989. Since reunification, Germany have qualified for the Olympic Games three times, in Atlanta 1996, Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004. Their sixth-place finish at Sydney 2000 remains the team's best Olympic performance.
Germany have been more successful on the continental stage, with East Germany twice crowned European champions (1983, 1987), as well as four silver medals and one bronze. Since 1991, Germany has added two more bronze medals to the tally (1991, 2003), followed by two second-place finishes in 2011 and 2013. In the 2017 edition, Germany were knocked out by hosts Azerbaijan 3-0 in the quarterfinals.
Germany were present at the inaugural FIVB Volleyball World Grand Prix in 1993 and competed for the 18th time last year, having won the bronze medal twice (2002, 2009). They finished 13th in the inaugural FIVB Volleyball Nations League this year, posting a 5-10 record.