The Red Dragons continue to impress in the qualifiers for the 2026 European Volleyball Championship. After their commanding 3-0 victory last Saturday in Azerbaijan, the Belgian men's team delivered another strong performance today. Austria was sent home with a resounding 3-0 defeat in Kortrijk. With this second consecutive victory, Belgium's qualification for the European Championship is almost secured.

After a summer break, the Red Dragons could once again rely on the contributions of seasoned players Sam Deroo and Stijn D'Hulst. The outside hitter and setter had chosen to skip the European Golden League after a long season but are now back to make their mark on the team.

It was immediately clear that the return of Deroo and D'Hulst had a positive impact on Belgium's game. Deroo, in particular, demonstrated why he is an indispensable force for the national team. With his experience and versatility, both defensively and offensively, he helped secure a comfortable lead in the first set. He mixed clever placement shots with powerful attacks, guiding his team to a convincing start. Deroo closed the first set with an ace, securing the set 25-19 for Belgium.

Head coach Emanuele Zanini watched with satisfaction as his team took full control of the match. The Red Dragons distributed the play and dominated the Austrians in all aspects, leading to a flawless victory. With this strong series of wins, Belgium's qualification for the 2026 European Championship seems nearly assured.