Under the banner of the BeNe Conference, that new competition is midway between the top four from the Netherlands and the top four from our own country. Six of eight participants already put four of eight duels behind them. To be clear: no extra finals will be played in the current format. After eight matches, the BeNe Conference will be blessed with historically a first winner.

All auspices point in the direction of cup winner Knack Roeselare, who will undoubtedly knit an extension of the current season's line of success. Steven Vanmedegael's team already won the BeNe Cup at the end of last year against Orion Stars (3-1) in Den Bosch and until today, from the lead after the regular title, bypassed all obstacles without much opposition.

VHL Haasrode Leuven (four out of four!) emerged as a powerful contender in the BeNe Conference. But coach Hendrik Tuerlinckx bears the disadvantage of having too few starting points.

The Conference would provide interesting clashes especially in the Netherlands. So we chose to chat with Stijn van Schie, main striker at top club Lycurgus from Groningen. He played four seasons in Belgium. One campaign with Caruur Gent, three with Knack Roeselare, the unapproachable leader (23pts) in this cross-border competition. At two and three stand VHL Haasrode Leuven (20pts) and at three Lycurgus Groningen (19pts). Lindemans Aalst (fourth) and Tectum Achel (seventh) are a long way away.

Stijn van Schie (2m04, number 10 in the photo above) ) clocked off at 30 years young in mid-February. In his younger years, he sampled judo and swimming. But blood runs where it cannot go. His father played in the Dutch premier league for many years. During the season, Stijn lives with girlfriend Sanne and dog Guus in a flat of the club in Groningen. Furthermore, the couple has a private flat in Leiden. That is not Stijn's hometown. He is from De Meern, a village next to the city of Utrecht in the province of the same name.

Due to transfers to foreign clubs (Caruur Gent, Roeselare and Budejovice/Tsj), studying proved organisationally difficult. But van Schie is now - back in the Netherlands - giving the impetus again to become a physiotherapist (kinesist) after all.

What experiences did you gain in Belgium? First with Caruur Gent (2018-2019) and then in your three seasons (2019-2022) with Knack Roeselare?

"Caruur became my first foreign club as a full-pro. I had a great time under coach Jan Van Huffel and teammates like Bert Dufraing, Michiel Ahyi, Chris Ogink and Tim Degruyter. With Roeselare (perfect organisation, very high level) I won two Belgian cups and as many national titles. My second season with the Knackies was unfortunately totally disrupted by the Covid pandemic. So we played the cup final without an audience in the Lotto Arena. I have the most wonderful memories, national and European (Champions League), of clappers Matthijs Verhanneman, Dennis Deroey, Stijn D'hulst and Pieter Coolman. It's always great to grab a bunch of prizes with such natural talents."

This season you returned to Nova Tech Lycurgus after a previous passage with the then Abiant Lycurgus Groningen (2016 to 2018).

"The team underwent a thorough transformation in recent years. Arjan Taaij swapped his chiselled position as head coach for a role in management. Experienced Australian Mark Lebedew is his successor. I once played against the Aussie when he functioned as coach of VfB Friedrichshafen (Ger). His approach looks special. Thanks to his calm style, seasoned with a touch of humour and founded on a clear vision. He also rotates often. Yes, we have already taken many steps with him."

Do you think the BeNe Conference is an innovative initiative?

"Yes indeed. The Dutch inter-club has developed steadily in recent years. Our level is gradually getting closer to the Belgian level. It is interesting to play against many different teams, not only in our own country, but via the new “cross-border” format. In time, the level in both countries will hopefully rise extra."

The campaign didn't really go ideally for you guys?

"No, we have to miss Auke van de Kamp for the whole season due to lung covid. He is working on his recovery, but it remains to be seen whether he will return to the old level. We were eliminated by Orion Stars (set-up Liam McCluskey) in the semi-finals with back and forth of the Dutch Cup. I was unlucky with the timing of those clashes. I had to leave the court ill already after the first set in the outward match. In the return, unfortunately our storage weapon failed against the much more stable Orion. A huge disappointment. Things are not going according to plan in the BeNe Conference either. Only two wins (versus Lindemans Aalst and Tectum Achel) against two losses (against Knack Roeselare and VHL Haasrode Leuven, twice 1-3). So we are limping along behind, knowing that super-favourite Knack Roeselare has also played one less game. I fear we have to turn our full focus on the play-offs for the Dutch championship."

Your last game, last Friday at home against Achel, rippled sideways from 0-2 to 3-2 win?

"Yep. At 0-2 down, we looked like a bird for the cat. But the mandatory 10-minute break after two sets proved to be our salvation. Achel no longer maintained its great form from during the season and the resistance crumbled. We levelled to 2-2 and prodded hit in the tie-break. That gave us some courage to finish the remaining four games at full strength. In and against Achel (on 22/3), at home against Knack Roeselare (30/3), away to VHL Haasrode Leuven (6/4, crucial very creepy match) and at home against Lindemans Aalst (13/4)."

Meanwhile, the Long Men of the national team found a new head coach?

"The choice fell on the illustrious Joel Banks (coach Berlin Recycling Volleys), no stranger to Belgium as an ex-Maaseik. He combines the German top club with his new role with the Orange. He has not yet announced a player list. Thus, it is guessing who from Groningen will be selected. It is a certainty, however, that the Oranje will participate in the FIVB Volley Nations League and the World Cup in the Philippines."

Editor's note: Nova Tech is carrying a large debt load: including 12 million euros with Rabobank and also large sums with other private investors. Nova Technology's owners (two brothers) had their houses, contents and bank accounts seized. A fat job for receivers. 'Wait and see', Lycurgus. Here's to hoping for survival!

Text: Leo Peeters

Photos: archive, Roger van Schie and Jan Vanmedegael