The Young Red Dragons started the match against Germany with a lot of control. With the Verwimp brothers very solid in reception and defence, the Belgian U20 squad built a comfortable lead. Main attacker Vleeschhauwer scored almost 80 per cent. In the second set, the young Belgians seemed to continue on their momentum, but then they did not get out of a few rotations. The double switch, which worked for the German team, did not have the same efficiency for the Belgian team. The Belgians forgot to further apply the clever solutions in attack and the set was narrowly conceded.

Despite Eliot Vleeschhauwer being sidelined with a calf injury, the Young Red Dragons managed to regain a nice six-point lead in the third set. Germany suddenly started serving better and after a dramatic end - the Belgian main attacker had to quit - this set too went to the home team with the smallest difference.

Those who thought the Belgian team was beaten by this were mistaken. The Dragons showed their resilience and with Robbe Ponseele distributing the game, the attack variation and speed went up considerably. Stability was back in coach Mariën's team and the Germans had no answer to that.

The tiebreak started excellently for the Belgian selection after 2-6. The Mannschaft's improbable point at 8-7 - scoring backwards with an underhand ball - gave the home team a lot of energy. The Germans stormed confidently to a 12-7 interval. The young Belgians continued to show their fighting spirit. The block was running at full speed, but eventually an out-service by the Belgian U20 provided the final verdict. 15-13.

Getting better marks in all parts of the game except the final score and therefore suffering a narrow defeat. It is the harsh, almost unfair law of top sport. "Tomorrow a new day and a new chance," trainer-coach Michel Mariën concludes. "Even if it is against top country Italy, we continue to believe in our possibilities."

Belgium: Van Hooghten 1 (Ponseele 2), Van Looveren 20, Lips 10, De Vleeschhauwer 14 (Vandecruys 4, Bus 4), Verwimp K. 11, Wolters 14. Libero: Verwimp M.