The Red Dragons have made an excellent start to their European Championship campaign in Finland. In their opening pool match, Belgium defeated the Netherlands 1-3. The Belgians dominated the opening set, suffered a setback in the second, but regained control from the third set onwards. The set scores were 14-25, 25-18, 17-25 and 14-25.


Head coach Emanuele Zanini started the opening match of the European Championship with Stijn D'Hulst, Ferre Reggers, Sam Deroo, Seppe Rotty, Samuel Fafchamps, Martijn Colson and libero Gorik Lantsoght.

The Red Dragons made an excellent start. With strong blocking and an efficient attack, Belgium immediately raced into a 1-6 lead. The Netherlands struggled to find solutions against the Belgian organisation, while the Dragons remained patient in their own game. Belgium's block in particular made the difference, producing six kill blocks in the opening set. At 7-14 and later 9-18, Belgium had already created a comfortable gap. The Red Dragons comfortably took the first set 14-25.

The momentum shifted completely in the second set. The Netherlands increased the pressure from the service line and also managed to get a better grip on the Belgian attack. At 8-5, Zanini called his players together for the first time, but the Dutch continued to push. Their block increasingly found answers against Deroo and Reggers as the deficit grew to 14-7. The Red Dragons were unable to find the solutions needed to close the gap. The Netherlands levelled the match by taking the second set 25-18.

Belgium responded strongly in the third set. Reception became more stable again, giving D'Hulst more options in his distribution. Deroo took responsibility, while Rotty also rediscovered his rhythm. At 8-12, the Dragons had established their first significant advantage. With an improved block-defence organisation, Belgium also regained control of the Dutch attack. The Red Dragons moved through 12-17 and 13-19 before closing out the set 17-25 to regain the lead.

The Netherlands made the better start to the fourth set and moved 6-4 ahead, but Ferre Reggers then took control. The Belgian opposite put enormous pressure on the Dutch from the service line and played a major role in an impressive run that turned 6-4 into 6-12. The Netherlands began to crack under the Belgian serving pressure. The gap continued to grow and, at 7-18, victory was firmly within reach. Belgium never relinquished control and Sam Deroo eventually finished the job: 14-25 and 1-3.

The Red Dragons therefore begin their European Championship with a convincing victory and immediately take an important first step in the pool stage.

Reactions after the match

Ferre Reggers highlighted the Red Dragons' ability to return to their own level after a difficult second set. “I think they started with some nerves, which is normal at the beginning of a tournament. We also had some nerves. In the second set, everything seemed to work for them, while things went a little less smoothly for us. But overall, we made fewer mistakes and managed to control the game well. I think that is one of our strengths: we can control a game, keep playing at our own level and not focus too much on what is happening on the other side of the net.”

Reggers was also delighted to see so many Belgian supporters in Finland. “It’s great to see so many familiar faces here again. I honestly didn’t expect it, but it’s really nice. Thank you!”

Played for Belgium
Reggers (18), Deroo (19), D'Hulst, Rotty (9), Fafchamps (5), Colson (8) en Lantsoght

Came on
D'Heer, Dermaux (2), Valkiers (1), Vandecruys