Plenty of positive news this week for Belgian men playing volleyball abroad.

In Azerbaijan, Seppe Baetens and his Murov Baku teammates are on a winning streak: 7 matches unbeaten, all won 3-0!

In Russia, Sam Deroo is hitting his stride with Zenit Kazan. His teammate Christensen finds him effortlessly, allowing Sam to become the top scorer with 19 points in the clash against his former team, Dynamo Moscow. His team now has a 10-point lead over Zenit St. Petersburg, their upcoming opponent.

In the German Bundesliga, a few compatriots faced off. League leader Berlin (with Simon Plaskie excelling with 5 points at 67%) defeated Düren, coached by Christophe Achten and featuring Robbe Van de Velde (5 points, 33%), with a 3-0 scoreline.

In Spain, an easy win for leader Guaguas (3-0 against San Roque) with Tomas Rousseaux posting impressive stats: 12 points (53%) and 3 blocks.

In Croatia, Luka Vlahovic stood out with 5 blocks, 1 ace, and 10 points (36%), but it wasn’t enough for his team Kastela, which lost 3-1 to Mladost Zagreb.

In the Netherlands, a steadily improving Liam Mc Cluskey and his Orion Stars teammates secured a spot in the top 4 after a 1-3 win at Huizen.

In Poland, Kedzierzyn achieved a 3-1 victory against Suwalki, partly thanks to Igor Grobelny (7 points, 23%). Loss for Mathijs Desmet (8 points, 16%) and Gorzow against Jastrzewski (3-0).
In Romania, Marin Dukic (12 points, 40%, 3 blocks) and Craiova lost 3-1 at Zalau, which needed a 36-34 win in the third set.

In Denmark, disappointment for coach Dries Hoeyberghs and Nordenskov, who lost their leadership position after a third consecutive defeat (0-3 against Vestsjaelland).

Finally, in Italy, Civitanova won their eighth cup in history in front of 9,125 spectators in a sold-out Bologna arena. They beat Verona 3-2, although Verona managed to recover from a 0-2 deficit. All matches in the Final Four ended in a tiebreak, a historic first.
In Italy’s A2 division, Palmi (with François Lecat, 5 points, 36%) almost caused an upset against leader Ravenna, leading 0-2 before losing in a tiebreak.

Britt Herbots once again MVP in Italy

Still in Italy, Britt Herbots shone in front of 2,335 spectators in Bergamo, where the local team fell 1-3 to Scandicci. Britt contributed 16 points (54%) and 50% perfect receptions, earning the MVP title.

In Busto Arsizio, Silke Van Avermaet (8 points, 30%, 2 blocks) and her team lost to Milan with Laura Heyrman (6 points, 71%).

In Greece, Ilka Van de Vyver and her PAOK teammates, won 3-0 against Milon.

In France, Venelles, Britt Rampelberg’s team, defeated Béziers twice in a short period: 3-0 in the league and 3-1 in the French Cup round of 16. Venelles will face Terville in the quarterfinals.

In Germany, Lara Nagels (3 points, 50%) helped Suhl beat Stuttgart 3-1, despite a strong performance from Pauline Martin (22 points, 53%) and an impressive Charlotte Krenicky (7 points, 80%). Dresdner, with a solid Nathalie Lemmens (10 points, 67%, 5 blocks), climbed closer to the top after a 3-1 victory against Potsdam (Anna Koulberg, 5 points, 25%).

(Compiled by Marcel Coppens)