Over the course of ten years of cup finals at the Sportpaleis, we’ve witnessed numerous thrilling moments featuring volleyball players who became legends, partly due to these events.

Nina Coolman is one such figure. She participated in no fewer than seven cup finals, and one of her most cherished moments was when she and her brother Pieter Coolman both raised a trophy.

Who knows, perhaps in March 2025, another legendary player or team will emerge. Surely, you’d want to witness that firsthand.

She began her volleyball journey with her parents’ blessing, playing for Brugge and Torhout. She then built an impressive career with Hermes Oostende (twice), Asterix Avo, and Oudegem. In between, she also played for Stade Français Paris Saint-Cloud in France.

However, it’s her four cup victories that stand out the most. With Nina Coolman on your team, your chances of winning the Belgian Cup were high. She played in seven finals, earning three silver medals and four gold.

As part of the "10 Years of the Sportpaleis" anniversary celebration, we take a moment to reflect on her cup finals and her perspective on the evolution of these iconic matches.

"The various cup finals I played initially took place in the Lotto Arena. Back then, everyone had to stay seated because the men’s final followed right after. My first cup win in 2010 was with Asterix Kieldrecht in the Lotto Arena. My last one, in 2022, was with Oudegem at the Sportpaleis in Antwerp. Twelve years separate those two victories, and I’ve seen the event evolve from a wonderful occasion to an impressive mega spectacle.

Volleyball itself has evolved a lot over the years, particularly in terms of physicality. Some players from ten or fifteen years ago wouldn’t be able to keep up now.

During my first cup finals, the team stayed at a hotel right across from the Olympic pool, ‘De Wezenberg.’ We shared the hotel with the men’s teams. In my final year, we didn’t stay at a hotel anymore—we just drove to the Sportpaleis. I suppose that was a cost-saving measure."

Four Victories, Three Clubs

“You’d think winning with different teams would feel very different, and it did in some ways. At Asterix Avo, playing in the cup final felt almost routine. Coach Vande Broek even went skiing with his university students during the week of the finals.

With Hermes Oostende, we had unforgettable cup finals. Winning the 2019 cup against Michelbeke was my first time playing in the vast Antwerp Sportpaleis. Normally, I don’t get nervous, but for my debut in that massive venue, I was a wreck—frequent trips to the bathroom and all that comes with it. I wasn’t used to that level of anxiety.

The following year, we faced Asterix Avo again with Oostende. That season, we often clashed with my former team, even in the European Cup. While we couldn’t beat them in the home-and-away matches (both went to tiebreaks), we did win the Belgian Cup. It was a prestigious showdown, with cup final specialist Jasmien Biebauw orchestrating play. She always seemed to perform at her peak in these finals—truly remarkable.”

The 2022 Victory with Oudegem

“Oudegem invested a lot emotionally in the cup. In 2022, we lost heavily to Gent in a league match, 3-0, and then again, 3-1, just a week before the cup final. We were determined not to let that happen again. On the morning of the final, we had a team meeting to rally ourselves. Under the guidance of coach Fien Callens and mental coach Wim Van Hove, our belief grew stronger.
By the time we walked into the Antwerp Sportpaleis, our confidence was immense. And we won the cup final against Gent, a team that had been unbeaten in the league up to that point. It was truly unforgettable.”

The Other Side of the Coin: Losing Finals

“Losing a final is a huge disappointment. It’s devastating because no one plays to lose a cup. You’re left thinking, ‘We could have won; we should have done better.’

In 2021, during the pandemic, the final was played without fans in the arena. That year, we didn’t seize our chances. In 2013, with Asterix, we lost to Oudegem, where Fien (now the coach of Oudegem) was a player on the opposing side. In 2012, Gert Vande Broek changed the tactical plan right before the final, and Charleroi capitalized.”

Sharing Expertise

"Having played seven finals—three at the Sportpaleis and four at the Lotto Arena—I became an experienced player in these events. With Oudegem, I felt the team relied on me. I tried to instill confidence: ‘We can do this.’
I loved playing cup finals. Except for the one time I was very nervous, they were all exhilarating. The thrill outweighed any pressure or stress. One of the best moments was when my brother Pieter and I both won cups on the same day—he with Roeselare, I with Oostende. A true West Flemish celebration!”

Anecdotes from Cup Final Days

“I remember when we won with Oostende. I’m a PE and religion teacher, and the day after the finals, I had a seven-hour teaching day. With no sleep, the school director decided to inspect my class that morning. Still completely in the post-final glow, I somehow managed to pass the inspection.
And believe me, a cup victory always leads to the best celebrations.”

A New Chapter: Motherhood

“Now I’m a mom to Miel, our lively little boy. He’s almost eight months old and always on the move. I have a feeling he’ll take up sports, just like his dad Jonas and me. Life has changed completely, but it’s pure joy—a wonderful new chapter for our family of three.”

Text: Walter Vereeck
Photos: Archive and Nina Coolman