While Haasrode Leuven is still chasing its first set in Europe and the battle for a top‑four spot in the Belgian league peaks this weekend with Aalst – Maaseik and Waremme – Haasrode, all eyes in Roeselare are turning to the upcoming European fixtures.

On Tuesday night, Knack Roeselare host Galatasaray in the Champions League, followed a week later by a home match against Ankara. “If we win once, we continue our European campaign,” says head coach Matthijs Verhanneman. “In our first four matches we showed we can handle this level, because we took at least one point every time.”

Last Saturday, however, the league leaders were clearly outplayed in the opening set away at Caruur Gent. Verhanneman is not alarmed. “We rotated heavily in that match, with seven players in different positions than usual. That took some getting used to, but I kept that line‑up on court and you could see them grow into the match. In the end, it turned into a relatively comfortable victory. That is great for the confidence of those players; they proved that they really belong here.”

In the Champions League, can we expect your usual starting six again?

Verhanneman: “Under normal circumstances, one win from our last two matches should be enough. Group winners, runners‑up and even the best third‑placed team continue in Europe. What happens after that depends on the draw and on who hosts the Final Four. On top of that, there is still the safety net of the CEV Cup.”

So far, Knack have played four matches that all went to a tie‑break. “The fact that we picked up at least a point every time shows we belong at this level,” Verhanneman says. “But we definitely could have done even better. In Lublin we led 0–2 and had two match points, but we failed to convert them. At home against the same Lublin side we were 10–7 up in the tie‑break and still lost after a few Polish ‘bombs’. In the away match at Galatasaray we also missed some chances in the fourth set. We shouldn’t dwell on that too much, but we do have to learn from it.”

On Tuesday you face Galatasaray at home. A beatable opponent in your own arena?

“Of course, our home crowd can give us a big boost and that makes it a bit easier to play. But on paper all three teams in our pool are stronger than we are, so it will be anything but easy. In attack, Galatasaray mainly rely on Canadian outside Stephen Maar and French opposite Jean Patry, who share most of the big points between them.”

What can you put on the other side of the net?

“So far we have served really well in every match, and that clearly puts opponents under pressure. You have to take risks from the service line, but not overdo it. I think we’ve become more stable as a team in that area. On top of that, we have several experienced players like Pieter Coolman, Stijn D’Hulst and Dennis Deroey who are performing at a very high level, and some powerful attackers who are still developing and already attracting foreign interest – earlier and earlier every year. With that mix, I think we have enough weapons to achieve solid results. The main thing now is to stay focused on the here and now.”

What have you added as a “new” head coach?

“I kind of rolled into this job, but with a lot of experience inside this club. As a player, I worked with several top‑level coaches here, in a club with a strong tradition and full support structure. I’ve lived all of that very intensely and I really enjoy what I’m doing now. My self‑confidence has grown and so has my motivation. Maybe the biggest thing I try to pass on to the players is that they have to leave their respect for the opponent in the locker room. That’s not easy when you’re up against some of the best players in the world, but the experience in our group helps a lot.”

There have been setbacks too. “The biggest disappointment so far was obviously getting knocked out of the Belgian Cup by Greenyard Maaseik,” Verhanneman admits. “But that might also have been a turning point in our season, a kind of mental switch. Overall, we can be proud of our campaign: we dropped only three points in the league and exceeded expectations in Europe.”

The recent league win against Maaseik helped to set things straight. “That match mattered a lot and the whole group was fired up for it, also because the result could keep Maaseik out of the BeNe Conference. We went all‑in.”

Have you never thought, “I’d rather be back out there on the court myself”?

“No. I made peace with the way I was able to end my career as a player. I’ve left that behind and I’m happy with what I was able to contribute to the club over the years. I don’t feel the need to step back onto the court.”

Has coaching turned out to be harder than you expected?

“There’s a lot coming at you besides training sessions and matches. It’s intense and it requires a lot of organisation: planning practice, deciding where to put the emphasis, keeping the players motivated, but also all the small practical things like meals, schedules and logistics. Fortunately, I get a lot of support from within the club. Knack Roeselare is a club with a strong tradition, and I come from its own ranks as a player. People here haven’t forgotten that.”

Does that mean you will stay on as coach at least another season?

“I’m on an open‑ended contract and I definitely intend to stay. My feeling is that the board sees it the same way.”

As for the goals for the rest of the season, Verhanneman does not hesitate: “At a club like Roeselare you’re expected to win as much as possible. The BeNe Conference is a nice change of pace against strong foreign teams like Orion Doetinchem and Lycurgus Groningen, in well‑organised competitions and lively arenas. We have a title to defend there. In the Belgian league we obviously want to retain our championship, and if we can survive this Champions League pool, I think we can look back on another very good season.”

Text: MC
Photo: Lotto Volley League