Belgium’s men’s national volleyball team secured a place in the European Championship quarter-finals with a 3-1 victory over Czechia in Turin (20-25, 26-24, 25-14, 25-15). After a difficult opening set, the Red Dragons steadily took control and will face Slovenia or Serbia on Wednesday for a place in the semi-finals.

Head coach Emanuele Zanini named an unchanged starting line-up, but Czechia made the stronger start. Belgian errors and inaccuracies prompted an early timeout at 4-8. An ace from D’Hulst cut the deficit to 9-11, but the Dragons struggled to put the ball away against a well-organised Czech defence.

With Reggers serving, Belgium closed the gap to two points again at 13-15. Czechia remained composed, however, and pulled away once more. A disputed refereeing decision at 16-19 added to the Dragons’ frustration. Led by Indra, the Czechs earned their first set points at 19-24. Belgium saved one before a service error handed Czechia the opening set, 20-25.

The second set began evenly, although Belgium’s error count remained high. Zanini called a timeout at 7-9 and introduced Fafchamps, who immediately made his mark with a winning block. Moments later, D’Hulst set up Deroo perfectly to bring Belgium level at 9-9.

The Dragons began to find their rhythm. Their block started to deliver, and at 15-13, Czechia called a timeout. Reggers continued an impressive serving run, finishing off a rally himself before adding an ace with help from the net cord. Five consecutive points put Belgium 17-13 ahead.

With Deroo proving difficult to stop, the lead grew to 22-18. There was still a tense finish to come, though. The Dragons could not convert three set points as Czechia fought back from 24-21 to 24-24. Belgium held firm when it mattered, taking the next two points to win the set 26-24 and level the match.

From the start of the third set, Belgium took charge. A flying start brought an immediate 3-0 lead. Coolman’s block made it 9-5, while Reggers kept the pressure on as the Dragons moved to 15-10 and then 18-14. An outstanding run with D’Hulst at the service line stretched the advantage to 24-14. Belgium converted the first of ten set points to seal an emphatic 25-14 win.

The Dragons carried that momentum into the fourth set. Reggers blocked for 8-3, and the lead soon grew to 11-5. Belgium’s defence kept the ball alive time and again, while Deroo continued to finish the rallies in attack. At 17-11, the Dragons were firmly in control.

A 21-14 lead put victory within reach. Reggers delivered the final block to complete a 25-15 set win and seal Belgium’s 3-1 success. The Red Dragons now turn their attention to Wednesday’s quarter-final against Slovenia or Serbia.