Sam Deroo did not join the Red Dragons in their preparation games for the World Championship in the Philippines. Some issues with his elbow required a minor surgery and a rehab period with Lieven Maesschalck. But now, Sam has almost fully recovered and is eagerly looking forward to the World Championship, which starts for the Red Dragons on September 14, after a few more friendlies against China, coached by Vital Heynen.

The national team captain (FIVB 17) also looks optimistically at the matches against Ukraine (FIVB 14), Italy (FIVB 2), and Algeria (FIVB 87). His conclusion is clear:

Sam Deroo: “Our opener against Ukraine will immediately decide our chances in the group, since Italy will likely be too strong and everyone will probably beat Algeria. Just like the Yellow Tigers, only the top two go through. Hopefully, we can match their fine performance.”

Ukraine has often been your nemesis. The last match against them was a narrow 3-2 win for the Red Dragons...
“True. I remember that match. But they didn’t play with their best team, and we also missed several starters. Ukraine is very stable. Only their setter sometimes changes, but even then they remain strong. They played all summer together in the VNL, so they know each other inside out. Against them, it’s all or nothing. We know that.”

But you also have strengths. Which ones?
“We do. We have a balanced mix of three veterans and several explosive youngsters. Stijn D’Hulst is still a great setter, and both Pieter Coolman and I connect well with him. We have good servers, but so do they. I think we may need to take risks with our serve to destabilize them. But a good serve can vary day to day. Risky. Especially since our first match will be in an unfamiliar arena. The main challenge will be keeping them under control in the decisive moments.”

And a player like Dermaux can add extra power on serve?
“Honestly, I hope we don’t need him, because that would mean we are doing well. But of course, he’s a great joker to bring in if required. Our reception is solid, and our liberos have improved a lot. With talents like Ferre Reggers, Wout D’heer, Seppe Rotty… I feel confident. On a good day we can beat Ukraine.”

And your chances against the others?
“Against Algeria, normally it should be straightforward. Italy is another story – they play at the top level all year round. They have more experience, while our recent matches against Azerbaijan and Austria were not real tests. The friendlies against Germany (one win, one loss) were useful: full arenas, both teams close to full strength. Same against Czechia (one win, one loss). I hope I can contribute myself, but I still need some rhythm.”

If you reach the next round?
“Argentina and France will most likely top the other group. Argentina cannot be underestimated – they just beat Poland. But most likely, France would be our opponent. That would be as tough as the Yellow Tigers’ round of 16. Strangely enough, I’d rather face Olympic champion France than Italy. Their style suits us better, and they are sometimes less consistent.”

How do you see the future of the Red Dragons?
“I hope to stay for many years. The dream remains the Olympics. Next season we will play in the VNL, which guarantees strong opponents and valuable experience for the whole team.”

You are also an FIVB athletes’ representative, right?
“Yes, I am part of the FIVB Athlete Commission. We achieved quite a bit already: a smoother calendar with more rest, the end of qualification tournaments (everything now via rankings or other competitions). We are working on a fairer payment system that goes directly to the players in the VNL. I collaborated for three weeks behind the scenes at the Paris Olympics to optimize some things. But it’s a political environment, so everything moves slowly.”

At club level, you are moving from Russian champion Kazan to the more modest Novosibirsk. Why?
“Kazan wanted to rebuild with younger and more Russian players. Mikhailov is getting older, Christenson moved to Verona, foreign player spots are limited, and they wanted to try Luboric as main attacker. So, I chose Novosibirsk.”

Isn’t that a step down, considering the top teams are Kazan, St. Petersburg, Dinamo Moscow?
“I think the league is broader than just those three. Fakel, Belgorod, Dinamo LO, and Novosibirsk can challenge anyone. Last season, Novosibirsk won the second Russian Cup and finished 6th in the league. The staff is almost entirely Bulgarian – Konstantinov, Mitkov, Bogdanov. My partner is Bulgarian too. We play with a young talented Bulgarian setter. I aim for nothing less than a medal. Otherwise, it would be disappointing in my fifth year in Russia.”

They also denied you Olympic qualification last season...
“That day, we simply were not good enough. At this level, with ranking points at stake, nothing is given. They were relaxed, we were tense. We had the Olympics in our hands, but missed by that final 1%.”

And about the political situation in Russia?
“There are no more direct flights from Brussels to Moscow. I must travel via Istanbul to reach Novosibirsk. Locally, you don’t feel much of the war against Ukraine, except that traveling is harder.”

Text: Marcel Coppens