The Voice of Germany Battles review: Third Battle Night sparks controversy and jubilation
By Rachel · 5 min read
Automatically translated from German. · Read original
The third Battle Night of *The Voice of Germany* on 30 October 2026 saw significant differences in judgement between the audience and the coaches, with Shirin David’s decision being postponed and a row between Rea Garvey and Nico Santos.
Key points at a glance
- The third Battle Night aired on 30 October 2026 on Sat.1 and Joyn, featuring guest coach Giovanni Zarrella.
- The Battle of the Night went to Team Shirin: Isabel Hernández and Daniel Del Castillo.
- Shirin David postponed her decision on Can Dean vs Laila Nöth, with only two team places remaining.
- Nico Santos took three out of four contestants with him; Rea Garvey called him a “little arse”.
- The fourth Battle Night follows on 6 November 2026 with guest coach Sarah Engels.
How did the third Battle Night on 30 October 2026 go?
The third Battle Night, broadcast on 30 October 2026, marked the provisional highlight of the Battle phase. Guest coach Giovanni Zarrella named the duet by Isabel Hernández and Daniel Del Castillo the “Battle of the Night”. This secures Team Shirin a wild card for the upcoming Team Fights: the coaches are allowed to decline one challenge for every “Battle of the Night” they win. According to a Joyn behind-the-scenes report, the battle between Can Dean and Laila Nöth sparked cheers in the studio, whilst Michi Beck and Rea Garvey criticised their initial uncertainty.
Which battles and songs were the focus of the judging?
The editorial review of *The Voice of Germany* battles reveals a wide stylistic range. The following table summarises the key performances from the third Battle Night:
| Contestants | Team | Song | Original artist | Special feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Can Dean & Laila Nöth | Shirin David | LOV | Lacazette feat. Gwendo | Rap meets vocals, decision postponed |
| Isabel Hernández & Daniel Del Castillo | Shirin David | – | – | Battle of the Night, wildcard for team battles |
| Janis Thommen & Joël Zupan | Nico Santos | – | – | Both through |
| Paul Nadler & Beatriz Simões | Nico Santos | – | – | Only Paul Nadler goes through |
According to a TVDigital report, Nico Santos surprised everyone with his decision to take three of the four contestants through to the team battles. Beatriz Simões was the only one to be eliminated. The coaches Michi Beck and Smudo (Team Fanta) as well as Rea Garvey were, in some cases, more critical of the performances than the studio audience.
Why did Shirin David postpone her decision regarding Can Dean and Laila Nöth?
After the battle between Can Dean and Laila Nöth, Shirin David had only two places left on her team, yet two more battles were still to come. The rapper explained: “I’ll make a decision. And I’ll do so after my next battle.” Can Dean, 30, from Marienheide, and Laila Nöth from Munich performed “LOV” by Lacazette and Gwendo. Can Dean showcased soulful rap passages for the first time, whilst Laila Nöth accompanied herself on the piano. Giovanni Zarrella praised Laila wholeheartedly: “I don’t understand the other judges – why did only two of them turn their chairs round for Laila!” Michi Beck, on the other hand, criticised her initial nervousness, which only disappeared in the second verse.
What sparked the row between Rea Garvey and Shirin David?
The trigger was Nico Santos’s approach to his two battles. After failing to make an immediate decision regarding Janis Thommen and Joël Zupan, and instead waiting for the second battle, he ultimately took three contestants with him. Rea Garvey reacted in disbelief: “You’re taking three? That’s so harsh!” and insulted Nico Santos, calling him a “little arse”. Shirin David backed Nico Santos: “You’ve got to see how they perform, haven’t you?” and accused Rea Garvey of implying a strategy: “So you’re planning everything from the start?” The exchange ended when Giovanni Zarrella announced the Battle of the Night.
What advantages does the ‘Battle of the Night’ joker bring to the team fights?
The concept was introduced by guest coach Michael Schulte at the start of the Battles on 17 October 2026. For every ‘Battle of the Night’ won, the coaches receive a joker, which they can use to decline a challenge in the team battles. This increases their tactical flexibility, allowing them to get more of their own talents into the semi-finals. Team Shirin secured the first joker on 30 October 2026. Whether other teams will follow suit will be decided during the remaining Battle Nights.
When is the next Battle Night and who is the guest coach?
The fourth and final Battle Night will be broadcast on Friday 6 November 2026 at 8.15 pm on Sat.1 and simultaneously on Joyn. The guest coach will be Sarah Engels. Previously, on 23 October 2026, Delta Goodrem judged the battles. All missed episodes are available to watch for free in the Joyn media library. If you check the broadcast dates against the 2027 school holidays, you can avoid clashes with family commitments.
Frequently asked questions
Who won the Battle of the Night on 30 October 2026?
Isabel Hernández and Daniel Del Castillo from Team Shirin David won the Battle of the Night on the third Battle Night on 30 October 2026.
Why wasn’t Can Dean eliminated straight away, despite receiving praise?
Shirin David postponed the decision because there were only two team places left and two more battles were due to follow. Can Dean and Laila Nöth will have to wait for the outcome of the remaining battles.
Which song did Can Dean and Laila Nöth perform?
The duo sang “LOV” by Lacazette feat. Gwendo from 2025. Can Dean rapped, whilst Laila Nöth sang and played the piano.
When do the Team Fights begin on The Voice of Germany 2026?
An official start date for the Team Fights has not yet been announced. They will follow once all four Battle Nights have concluded, so are expected to begin from mid-November 2026.
Where can you stream the Battles after they’ve aired?
All episodes are available free of charge in the Joyn media library after they have been broadcast. A percentage calculator helps you estimate how much of the series you’ve watched in relation to the total season.
Sources: Joyn BTS – Shirin David’s Battle of Opposites · TVDigital – Row between Rea Garvey and Shirin David · DSLWEB – Battles kick off on ProSieben and Joyn. As at 31 October 2026.
