Who better than Britt Herbots (25), captain of the Yellow Tigers, to give an insightful overview of the three major events this summer, where the Belgian women’s national team hopes to shine on the global and European stage? These events are the Volleyball Nations League (VNL), the qualifiers for the 2026 European Championship, and the 2025 World Championship in Thailand.

The star from Sint-Truiden will have to work her magic this summer — not only on the court but also in her personal life. Why? Because she’ll be combining a busy playing schedule with her wedding to Italian fiancé Andrea Panzeri (26). The wedding will take place on July 3rd at a vineyard and castle in the romantic and idyllic setting of Urbino, Italy.

Meanwhile, Britt is at a turning point in her club career. After two seasons, she is leaving Savino Del Bene Scandicci, where her fiancé remains part of the technical staff. Panzeri also serves as the Yellow Tigers’ third assistant coach. Britt is returning to Igor Gorgonzola Novara, currently fourth in the Italian Serie A. Under the guidance of renowned coach Lorenzo Bernardi, she aims to continue her career at the highest level. Galatasaray Istanbul had made her a lucrative offer, but she declined — the Turkish league is less consistent. All in all, plenty to talk about. Just like her fellow Limburg native, gymnast Nina Derwael, Britt is going through a string of major life events. She recently celebrated her bachelorette party in Athens with her closest friends.

Britt Herbots has strong ties to Italy, having already played seven seasons for top Italian clubs. She started at UYBA Busto Arsizio (2 years, gold in the 2019 CEV Cup), then moved to Novara (2020–2022, bronze in the 2021 Champions League), followed by one year at Il Bisonte Firenze, and most recently two years at Scandicci (silver in the 2025 Champions League).

Hi Britt, first of all, congratulations from the Volleymagazine editorial team on your upcoming wedding. Your career keeps reaching new heights. Was this silver medal in the Champions League another milestone?
Britt Herbots:
"Yes, especially because of how we achieved it. After a flawless pool stage without losing a single set, we pulled off the unthinkable. It was an incredible feat in the Final 4, where we crushed Vakifbank Istanbul — coached by the legendary Guidetti — in the semifinals at their home court. Then we took silver against the unbeatable Italian champions, Imoco Conegliano. Vero Volley Milano, with Laura Heyrman, won bronze by beating a frustrated Vakifbank, who painfully finished fourth at home. Italian clubs swept the podium."

You’re about to compete with the Tigers in the Volleyball Nations League — about a dozen matches over three weeks. What are Belgium’s goals (FIVB ranking 14)

"Let’s not forget: in 2022, I was the top scorer in the VNL. After our absence in 2023 and 2024, our aim now is to maintain our place in the VNL. The national team has been rejuvenated (all players under 30) and has plenty of talent. Reaching the quarterfinals would be fantastic. However, it’s already planned that, like Silke Van Avermaet (resting her knee), I’ll skip the third week in Apeldoorn (Netherlands). We both need to take it easy. My body needs rest too. I also have to sort out a lot of practical matters: my transfer to Novara and starting a life together with Andrea, who’s staying in Scandicci. He’s also taking courses to obtain his coaching certificates. The distance between Novara and Florence is 360 km. That’s manageable. Public transport works very well in Italy."

Yes, the Frecciarossa (Italian high-speed train) from Florence to Milan reaches 300 km/h. Convenient, right?
"Absolutely. Andrea will continue living in Florence for a while. We both want to get the most out of our sports careers. There are plenty of ways for us to see each other regularly. And since he’s also assistant coach for the Yellow Tigers, we’ll be together all summer. Even during the season, we’ll make time for each other."

You prepared for the VNL with a final training camp in Murcia against Spain’s national team?
"Yes, training began on May 14 in Leuven. In the final phase, we played Spain: two 3–1 wins and one 2–3 loss. Coach Kris Vansnick gave all 14 players court time, focusing on building cohesion with the setters and working on both individual and team routines to get us ready for the VNL."

What makes the VNL so special?
"The wide range of playing styles you face at such a high level. We’ll play Italy (FIVB-1) and Brazil (FIVB-2), the Olympic champions and runners-up, both in our group. There are also heavyweights like China (FIVB-5) and Poland (FIVB-6). It’s hard to predict anything. Some teams excel with fast, technical play. Others rely on experience or rock-solid defense. Still others are physically dominant. You have to take it one match at a time. I think we have chances to win against Thailand, France, the Dominican Republic, Korea, Canada, the Netherlands, and Czechia. Every set, every point matters if we want to achieve our goal."

After the VNL, you’ll play the second round of qualifiers for Euro 2026. You missed the first round. How do you assess your chances?
"This is the last time Euro qualifiers will be held. We weren’t directly qualified, so there are two rounds. On Saturday, August 3, we must beat Denmark (CEV-36) in Odense — that’s non-negotiable, as we won the home leg 3–0. Then on Wednesday, August 6 (8:00 PM), we’ll host Hungary (CEV-20) in Maaseik. That’ll be our only home match, and there’ll be a sense of revenge after our 3–0 loss in the first leg. But we’re currently second in our group. The seven group winners and five best runners-up qualify for Euro 2026. I believe we’ll grab one of the 24 tickets. From the next edition on, places will be awarded based on the CEV ranking. We’re currently 10th."

The final top event of 2025 is the World Championship in Thailand, from August 22 to September 7. What are your hopes?
"After finishing ninth in my first World Championship in 2022 in the Netherlands, my goal is to reach the Round of 16. In the pool phase in Phuket, we’ll face Cuba (FIVB-23) on Aug 22, Slovakia (FIVB-27) on Aug 24, and Italy (FIVB-1) on Aug 26. We’ll need to finish second. In Bangkok, we might then face Poland or Germany in the Round of 16. Those are great challenges — I’m really looking forward to it!"

VNL 2025 Schedule
WEEK 1 in BEIJING (China)
– Wed June 4: China (FIVB-5)
– Thu June 5: Thailand (FIVB-13)
– Fri June 6: France (FIVB-19)
– Sun June 8: Poland (FIVB-6)
WEEK 2 in ISTANBUL (Turkey)
– Wed June 18: Brazil (FIVB-2)
– Thu June 19: Dominican Republic (FIVB-11)
– Fri June 20: Korea (FIVB-35)
– Sun June 22: Canada (FIVB-8)
WEEK 3 in APELDOORN (Netherlands)
– Wed July 9: Italy (FIVB-1)
– Thu July 10: Netherlands (FIVB-9)
– Fri July 11: Serbia (FIVB-10)
– Sun July 13: Czechia (FIVB-15)

The bottom-ranked team is relegated. The top eight nations (out of 18) advance to the quarterfinals (1–8, 2–7, 3–6, 4–5), followed by a Final 4 with medal matches.

Belgian Squad for VNL
Setters: Eline Van Sas (Asterix AVO), , Lara Nagels (VfB Suhl)
Outside hitters: Britt Herbots (Novara), Nel Demeyer (Oudegem), Tea Radovic (Tchalou)
Opposites: Pauline Martin (MTV Stuttgart), Liese Verhelst (Oudegem), Eline Van Elsen (Oudegem
Middle blockers: Nathalie Lemmens (Perugia), Silke Van Avermaet (Busto Arsizio), Anna Koulberg (MTV Stuttgart), Britt Fransen (Asterix AVO)
Liberos: Britt Rampelberg (ex-Venelles, looking for a club), Noor Debouck (Asterix AVO)

Staff: Head coach Kris Vansnick, assistants Alper Hamurcu (T2), Andrea Panzeri (T3)

The VNL is played with 14 players on the match sheet. That means Kaat Cos, Eline Van Elsen, Saar Bertels, and Anke Waelkens are currently not selected. They remain available. Manon Stragier, Marlies Janssens, Helena Gilson, Charline Humblet, and others could step in if needed. Unfortunately, setter Lien Van Geertruyden is unavailable due to a serious knee injury and is currently in rehab.

Article: Leo Peeters