This weekend, the standout performances of Belgian players abroad were on display, particularly among the women.

In Greece, setter Ilka Van de Vyver guided her team, PAOK Saloniki, to a 1-3 victory over co-leaders Olympiakos. With this sixth consecutive win, PAOK now leads the Greek league standings.

In Germany, Belgian players took center stage. Lara Nagels starred for Suhl, who secured a 0-3 win in Erfurt. In Aachen, Charlotte Krenicky stepped up in the final two sets to prevent Stuttgart – missing Pauline Martin – from defeat. Charlotte contributed 5 points with 50% efficiency. Meanwhile, Dresdner, led by Nathalie Lemmens (12 points, 67%, 2 blocks), defeated Potsdam and Anna Koulberg (10 points, 45%, 3 blocks) 3-1.

In Japan, Kaja Grobelna played two matches for Queenseis but suffered two losses against Kurobe: 0-3 and 2-3. She scored 10 points (29%) in the first match and 23 points (41%) in the second. Lise Van Hecke and Osaka earned a 1-3 win against Himeji, with 17 points (37%) for Lise, after losing 3-2 the previous day (10 points, 29%).

In Poland, GB Lodz (without Sobolska) defeated Bydgoszcz 3-1.

In France, Britt Rampelberg was rested as Venelles cruised to a 3-0 win over France Avenir. Meanwhile, Le Cannet, the next European opponent for Asterix/Avo, lost 3-2 at Chamalières.

In Italy, Britt Herbots (13 points, 41%, 32% reception) helped Scandicci secure a 1-3 victory against Vallefoglia. Silke Van Avermaet scored 2 points (14%) in Busto Arsizio's 3-0 win over Novara, while Laura Heyrman contributed 3 points (22%) in Milan’s 1-3 win against Talmassons.

The Men

In Kuwait, Bram Van den Dries secured his first win with his team Burgan SC Kuwait.

In Russia, Sam Deroo and his teammates from Zenit Kazan faced their first unexpected league defeat, losing 3-1 to Fakel Yamal Urengoy after previously beating Orenburg 3-1.

In Italy, Ferre Reggers (15 points, 48%, 2 blocks) enjoyed an easy victory with Milan, winning 0-3 against Padova. Taranto, with Wout D’Heer (3 points, 40%), suffered a 3-0 loss to Cisterna.

In Poland, Mathijs Desmet returned to action, but his 6 points (12%) weren’t enough to prevent Gorzow from losing 0-3 to Warsaw. Zawiercie, the next opponent of Roeselare in the Champions League, secured a promising 3-1 win against Kedzierzyn (Igor Grobelny 2 points, 6% !).

In Germany, Simon Plaskie scored 1 point (17%) for Recycling Berlin, this week’s opponent of Maaseik, who cruised to a 3-0 victory over Haching. Coach Christophe Achten led Düren to an equally convincing win against Bitterfeld Wolfen.

In the Netherlands, Orion (still without McCluskie, likely out for the season) remains the leader after a 3-0 victory against Sliedrecht. Lycurgus, Huizen, and Barneveld currently occupy the next three spots.

In Croatia, Kastela (Simon Vlahovic) advanced to the next round of the cup after a 0-3 win against Sisak.

In Romania, Marin Dukic was the top scorer with 19 points (67%!), leading Craiova to a 0-3 victory over Stinta Bucharest.

In Switzerland, Tim Bayet was rested with Lausanne ahead of their European Cup match against Apeldoorn. The winner of that match will face the winner of Aalst vs. Pafis.

Article: Marcel Coppens
Photo: Instagram @dscvolley