While in Belgium the semifinalists for the Belgian Cup have been decided (Leuven - Menen and Aalst - Roeselare for the men; Oudegem - Asterix and Charleroi - Gent for the women; first leg on 11/30, return on 12/21 and 12/22), few Belgians truly stood out abroad.

However, in Italy, Silke Van Avermaet shone, scoring 14 points (50%) to secure a third consecutive win with her club Busto Arsizio, this time with a 3-2 score against Pinerolo. Laura Heyrman did not play for Milano, which won 1-3 against Perugia. Britt Herbots (8 points – 33%) lost with Scandicci, defeated 3-0 by league leader Conegliano.

In Japan, Osaka lost twice, 3-1 and 3-2, to Denso Airybees. Lise Van Hecke scored 15 points (29%) and 27 points (42%), respectively. Kaja Grobelna appeared once with Queenseis, which won 2-3 against the Blue Cats and then lost 3-0 to the same opponent the following day.

Without Sobolska, GB Lodz lost in Poland, 2-3 (17-19) against Rzeszow.

In Germany, Stuttgart (with Marin Pauline 10 points – 57% and Charlotte Krenicky 2 points in three sets) won the Bundesliga top match 3-2 against Dresdner (with Nathalie Lemmens 6 points – 30%). Two other Belgian players also claimed victory: Anna Koulberg (11 points – 62%) with Potsdam, which won 3-0 against Wiesbaden, and Lara Nagels (1 point) with Suhl, who defeated Aachen 3-0.

In Serbia, Ranicki Beograd (without Vlahovic) won 3-1 against Indjija.

In Greece, Ilka Van de Vyver (3 points – 25%) helped PAOK Saloniki secure another victory, 3-0 against Lamia.

Libero Britt Rampelberg (50% reception) won with Venelles in a tiebreak against Terville.

Dries Hoeyberghs Remains Undefeated in Denmark

For the men, coach Dries Hoeyberghs led his team Nordenskov in Denmark to a sixth consecutive win (this time 3-0 against Ikast), thus maintaining the top spot.

In Spain, an easy 0-3 win for leader Guaguas (Tomas Rousseaux 7 points – 86%) against San Roque.

Sam Deroo continues to win in Russia: 1-3 victory for Zenit Kazan against Dinamo-Do.

Despite an excellent performance by Wout D'Heer (11 points – 60%), his team Taranto narrowly lost in the tiebreak against Monza. Also in Italy, Ferre Reggers (7 points – 35%) with Milano lost 3-0 to Piacenza.

In Poland, a sensational victory for newcomer Gorzow against Rzeszow, who placed fourth last season. The match lasted 2h37 with set scores of 35-33, 18-25, 31-29, 17-25, 15-13. Unfortunately, an injured Mathijs Desmet could not contribute. Igor Grobelny (9 points – 38% in two sets) did contribute for Kedzierzyn, which won 1-3 against Stal Nysa.

In Germany, Robbe Van de Velde had a short appearance for Düren, who won 0-3 against Karlsruhe under the guidance of coach Christophe Achten. Simon Plaskie did not play for Berlin Recycling, which defeated Netzhoppers 0-3.

Without Liam McCluskey, the Orion Stars in the Netherlands won fairly easily, 3-0 against Simplex.

Although Marin Dukic was the top scorer with 16 points (42%) for Craiova, his team lost 3-0 against Brasov in Romania.

Finally, in Croatia, Kastela (with Simon Vlahovic 7 points – 50%) won 3-1 against Marsonia.

Article: Marcel Coppens
Picture: Flickr UYBA