On the opening day of their second week in the Volleyball Nations League, the Red Dragons came very close to pulling off a stunt against Poland, the world number one. Belgium took a 2-0 lead after an impressive start in Gliwice, Poland, but the Polish side managed to fight their way back into the match. After five intense sets, Poland eventually won 3-2. The set scores were 25-21, 25-23, 19-25, 26-28 and 13-15.

Head coach Emanuele Zanini started with Matthias Valkiers as setter, Seppe Rotty, Wout D’Heer, Ferre Reggers, Samuel Fafchamps, Pierre Perin and liberos Gorik Lantsoght and Kobe Verwimp. Belgium did not miss its start and quickly moved ahead in the first set, 8-5. The Dragons played with courage, while Reggers delivered the points in attack. Seppe Rotty put 16-13 on the scoreboard with a monster block. Poland tried to come back and, at 18-19, Zanini called his players to the bench for a time out, but the Belgians stood firm. Valkiers scored with a clever second-touch attack and moments later D’Heer made it 22-19 with a strong block. Poland started to feel the pressure and called a time out, but the Dragons kept a cool head. Belgium took the first set 25-21.

In the second set, Poland came out strongly. With powerful blocking, the Polish side quickly moved ahead to 1-6, but the Dragons kept fighting. At 10-10, Reggers hammered the equaliser to the floor. Poland was not impressed and pulled away again to 12-15, but Belgium continued to play at a very high level. The Dragons were solid in block defence and blocked their way back into the set at 19-20. Belgium then pushed on to 22-21 and earned its first set point at 24-22. The first one was saved, but moments later Fafchamps finished it off: 25-23. Belgium led 2-0 against Poland.

In the third set, Poland immediately increased the pressure. The world number one moved ahead to 5-2 and 11-4. Zanini brought on Fransen and Van Hoyweghen, among others, in an attempt to turn the tide. The Dragons fought back and closed the gap to four points at 9-13, but the deficit proved too large. Despite good resistance from Belgium, Poland remained in control. Through 16-22, the third set went to Poland, 19-25.

The fourth set started evenly. Both teams stayed close until 6-6 and 11-11, but Poland then raised the pressure from the service line. The Polish side moved ahead to 12-14 and kept pushing. Bołądź in particular was difficult to stop. Zanini took his second time out at 14-19, but the Dragons refused to give up. Belgium fought its way back into the set and forced Poland into a time out at 20-23. Moments later, Poland earned the first set point, but the Belgians came all the way back to 24-24 thanks to three attacks from Reggers and an ace from Fafchamps. The comeback was ultimately not rewarded. Poland won the fourth set 26-28.

The Dragons also started well in the tie-break, but Poland created the first small gap at 4-6. Zanini immediately intervened with a time out. Belgium kept fighting and turned an 8-10 deficit into an 11-10 lead. The Belgians could not extend that lead, however. Poland came back, went ahead again and earned two match points at 12-14. Reggers saved the first, after which the Polish coach called his second time out at 13-14. Poland then still scored the decisive point for 13-15.

The Red Dragons therefore let a 2-0 lead slip away against the world number one, but the Belgian team can leave the court with their heads held high. The Dragons showed courage, quality and fighting spirit, and once again proved that they can compete at the highest level.

Played for Belgium: Reggers (34), D’Heer (12), Rotty (18), Valkiers (1), Fafchamps (7), Perin (3), Lantsoght and Verwimp. Came in: Plaskie (10), Fransen (3), Van Hoyweghen, Vandecruys, Baetens and Van Genechten (1).

Ferre Reggers: “This is exactly what we said before the match. We wanted to start aggressively and we did that really well. After that, Poland found more rhythm and their opposite really came into the game. We did not immediately find the solution to stop him, but of course he is an amazing player as well. I have never played against a team with so many options on the wings. They can keep changing players and everyone brings quality. Of course, it is a pity that we did not finish it, but we can really be proud of our performance.”

“We mainly wanted to focus on our own side of the net and I think we did that really well. This was exactly how we wanted to play. In the end, one ball makes the difference and we have to accept that. We can take confidence from this and now we have to look ahead to tomorrow against China.”

Emanuele Zanini: “We are absolutely proud and satisfied with the team’s performance. Of course, we are disappointed with the final result, but we have to congratulate Poland. We know they have a great team, with a very broad roster and a lot of quality in every position. It is always nice to play in these kinds of conditions, in this hall and with these supporters.”

“For us, this was a good start to the week. It is a pity that we could not finish the match, but we can be proud of what we showed. Now we have to recover as quickly as possible, because tomorrow, with barely sixteen to eighteen hours of recovery, another very important match is already waiting for us. We have to accept this and immediately look ahead.”