The best news from this weekend came from the world of Belgian women abroad.

Lise Van Hecke made an immediate impact in Japan, where she was named MVP with her new team Marvelous Osaka. In a double confrontation against Toray Arrows, her team won twice, and the player from Waasland scored 22 points (45%) and 14 points (45%). Also in Japan, Kaja Grobelna, playing for Queenseis, is still recovering from an injury. Her team won the first match 2-3 against Okayama but lost the second match 3-0.

In Italy, there were good performances from Britt Herbots (8 points – 36%) and a victory for her team Scandicci: 0-3 in Florence. Laura Heyrman also excelled with 9 points (80%!!!) in Milan’s 3-0 win against Roma. Silke Van Avermaet (2 points – 29%) is still adjusting at Busto Arsizio, where her team suffered a 1-3 defeat against Bergamo.

In Germany, Nathalie Lemmens once again impressed for Dresdner with 11 points (41%) and three blocks, helping her team to a 1-3 win in Wiesbaden. Anna Koulberg (7 points – 88%) showcased her skills in Potsdam’s victory in Erfurt. At Suhl, Lara Nagels was not in the lineup, and her team lost 3-0 to Schwerin.

In Poland, GB Lodz won 0-3 at Opole last night, without Sobolska playing.
But in France, there was a surprise 2-3 win for Venelles against top club Béziers, with Britt Rampelberg contributing significantly with 50% in reception.

Simon Plaskie is back
In the men’s league, we were pleased to see the return of Simon Plaskie (3 points – 33%) in Germany, who helped his team, Recycling Berlin (coached by Joël Banks), secure a 3-1 win against Friedrichshafen. Things went less well for Düren, as Christophe Achten's team lost 3-2 to Herrsching, despite 9 points (44%) from Robbe Van de Velde.

In front of 3,300 spectators, Ferre Reggers crowned himself top scorer for Milan with 19 points (40%), but it wasn’t enough to defeat Trentino (1-3). Wout D’Heer (4 points – 20%) got some playing time for Taranto, but his team lost 1-3 to Padua.

In Poland, Gorzow won again (2-3 against Stal Nysa), though Mathijs Desmet barely saw the court. However, Igor Grobelny, with 20 points (45%), was not only the top scorer for Kedzierzyn, but he was also named MVP in their 3-1 win against Belchatow.

In Russia, a straightforward 0-3 victory for Sam Deroo with Zenit Kazan against Novgorod, just like Tomas Rousseaux in Spain (3-0 for Las Palmas against Volley Palma), and Craiova in Romania (0-3 against Cluj), although former Menen player Marin Dukic didn’t play.

In the Netherlands, Liam McCluskey is still struggling with an injury, but his team Orion won 3-0 against Lycurgus despite his absence.

In Croatia, Simon Vlahovic's Ribola Kastela had an easy win: 13-25, 17-25, and 12-25 against Sisak. In Switzerland, Tim Bayet and Lausanne lost 0-3 to Amriswil.

In Denmark, Nordenskov, coached by Dries Hoeyberghs, remains undefeated after three games following a 0-3 win against DHV Odense.
(Marcel Coppens)