The Red Dragons lost their opening match of the third and final VNL week in Osaka. Against a physically powerful Cuban side featuring world-class players such as Robertlandy Simón and Marlon Yant, Belgium went down in straight sets: 0-3 (23-25, 19-25, 20-25).

Cuba entered the match at the bottom of the standings, but in a competition of the level of the Volleyball Nations League, that position does not necessarily reflect a team’s quality. The Cubans immediately showed their strength with heavy serving pressure, physical power and a solid block-defence organisation.

Cuba made the better start and quickly moved 4-8 ahead with Yant at the service line. Head coach Emanuele Zanini called his first timeout, but the Cubans remained in control. The 2.08-metre-tall middle blocker Simón was particularly dangerous at the net and helped his team extend the lead to 7-14.

The Dragons gradually found their rhythm. With Rotty serving, they reduced the deficit from 9-15 to 13-15. Belgium remained within touching distance at 14-16 and 16-18, but at 16-20 Cuba appeared to have regained control.

The Dragons refused to give in. An ace from Fafchamps brought them back to 19-20, before Belgium levelled the score at 21-21.

In a tense end to the opening set, Cuba proved the more composed team. At 22-24, the Cubans earned two set points. Belgium saved the first, but Cuba converted the second to take the set 23-25.

The Dragons carried the momentum from the end of the first set into the second and quickly took a 4-1 lead. Belgium had found a good rhythm and extended the advantage to 9-5. Cuba’s middle blocker Wilson was forced to leave the court after suffering an ankle injury.

The Cubans then found a second wind. Yant once again created enormous pressure from the service line. Two consecutive aces brought Cuba level at 9-9 and forced Zanini into another timeout. Yant continued to impress and recorded his fifth ace of the match at 9-12.

Belgium fought back to 14-14, but with López serving and Cuba well organised in block and defence, the Cubans scored five consecutive points to move 14-19 ahead. The Dragons were unable to close the gap again as Cuba took the second set 19-25 and moved 0-2 ahead.

Cuba also seized the initiative at the start of the third set. Belgium began hesitantly and quickly fell 1-3 behind. Reggers and Plaskie led the Belgian scoring and tried to pull the team forward, but the Dragons continued to chase the score.

At 11-13, Belgium once again struggled against a strong Cuban service run, allowing Cuba to open up an 11-17 lead. The Dragons continued to show resilience. An ace from Plaskie reduced the deficit to 17-20 and forced Cuba into a timeout. Plaskie continued his run after the interruption with another ace to make it 18-20.

Cuba remained composed in the closing stages. At 19-23, the gap proved too large for Belgium to overcome. The Cubans sealed the match with a kill block, taking the third set 20-25 and completing a 0-3 victory.

Ferre Reggers: “We never stopped playing”

“Even when we were five points behind, we kept playing and never gave up,” Ferre Reggers said. “That is something we need. We are gaining a lot of new experiences this year and it is important that everyone learns from them.”

According to Reggers, this VNL campaign is mainly about the continued development of the team.

“It is never about individual performances. Some players are used to competing at this level, for example in Italy, while for some of the younger players this is still new. This is the perfect stage to take steps forward, both as a team and individually. I understand that people at home are disappointed that we did not win today, but we have to keep growing.”

Emanuele Zanini: “Cuba exposed our weaknesses”

Head coach Emanuele Zanini admitted that his team did not reach the same level as during the first two VNL weeks.

“Our level of volleyball was not good enough today. On the other side, Cuba probably played one of its best matches of this VNL. That created a significant difference.”

“Even in the first set, which was decided by only two points, we were constantly chasing the score. Cuba played very intelligently and repeatedly exposed our weaknesses. We can learn a lot from matches like this.”

For Zanini, facing opponents of this level also shows how much work still lies ahead for the Dragons.

“When you win or play well, you can sometimes think that everything is fine. Today we faced a very focused team with a lot of power, but also plenty of variation in both serving and attack. It shows that we still have many steps to take to reach that level.”

Started for Belgium: Reggers, Plaskie, D’Heer, Rotty, Valkiers, Fafchamps and Lantsoght.

Came on: Fransen, Van Hoyweghen, Vandecruys, Baetens and Colson.