After this weekend’s rounds at the sports beach in Nieuwpoort, the decisive matches will take place next week during the Masters Finals. For Kyan Vercauteren and Joppe Van Langendonck, the 2023 U21 world champions, the Belgian Championship is not the final destination, but another step in a much broader journey. After a short break, their international season will continue, with the Los Angeles Olympic Games as their ultimate goal and essential motivation.

Closing the gap on the FIVB Tour

The transition from the U21 categories to the global beach volleyball circuit – competing against the very best senior players – requires constant adaptation and the ability to prove yourself time and again. Progress is being made, as was evident during the Belgian Championship round in Nieuwpoort. Their improvement has also been visible internationally in recent months. Previously, the talented Belgians were unable to reach the Challenge tournaments. Now, they regularly compete at that higher level. It has already produced tangible results, including a tournament victory in India and a third-place finish in China.

The true measure of their development became clearer at the Elite tournaments in Saquarema, Brazil, and Gstaad, Switzerland, where they managed to qualify for the main draw. “At that level, you face the absolute best teams in the world,” says coach Rik Donkers. “Those are the matches in which you learn the most: greater speed, powerful actions, control and managing the number of errors.”

A demanding schedule and a missed European Championship

Their continuous efforts eventually led to a slight dip in form. Between January and June, the team followed an almost uninterrupted schedule. According to Rik Donkers, a little too little recovery time explains the weaker results and lack of freshness during the events in Alanya and Leuven. “In elite sport, even a few per cent less efficiency is punished immediately.”

Narrowly missing out on qualification for the European Championship in Poland was a direct consequence of the rankings. Some countries entered different team combinations, allowing them to move ahead of Vercauteren and Van Langendonck. A wild card was also awarded – somewhat understandably – to the host nation. Donkers takes a pragmatic view: “Of course, it is disappointing. But the harsh lesson is that every set, every point and every match counts on this circuit. If you look at the data and our journey, Joppe and Kyan have made enormous progress mentally, physically, technically and tactically. That is what gives us confidence, despite missing the opportunity to compete in Stare Jabłonki this week. There are currently teams competing there that are ranked below Kyan and Joppe. But we have to respect the rules.”

The Olympic clock is ticking: from 54th to 30th

Time is moving quickly, as the qualification period for the Olympic Games leaves very little room for a break. The pair have only a year and a half to climb the world rankings and secure one of the crucial Olympic tickets. It will be an Olympic sprint for the Belgian duo.

Their upward trajectory is clear: in a relatively short period, Vercauteren and Van Langendonck have climbed from 54th to 30th in the world rankings. That is an impressive rise, but it is still not enough to qualify for Los Angeles.

Their journey will continue after the Masters Finals. However, somewhat incomprehensibly, the FIVB has still not published a calendar for the autumn. “That makes it very difficult to put together a proper high-performance schedule,” says the Belgian coach with some frustration. “The Olympic qualification period begins on 1 November. For now, Joppe and Kyan have some time to continue working towards their bachelor’s degrees. We have planned a full month of training in September to prepare for another step forward and a further improvement in our level. What comes after that remains unclear because the FIVB has provided no information whatsoever.”

The battle for the title on the sand of Nieuwpoort

For now, there is nothing else to do but focus entirely on the Belgian Championship and the gold medal at the Masters. Vercauteren, who previously won the title alongside Alexy Humblet, already knows what it feels like to stand on the top step of the podium. Van Langendonck is chasing his first Belgian title.

The biggest obstacle in Nieuwpoort will be Gilles and Louis Vandecaveye. Last weekend, the pair clearly demonstrated that they have developed a fast, varied and impressive style of play, built on extensive international experience. “We enjoy playing against them,” says Donkers. “Beach volleyball on the Belgian coast is also a discipline in its own right. The sea breeze influences the trajectory of the ball, the solutions and choices in attack and defence, as well as the pressure from the service line. We will have to deal with those elements intelligently from a tactical perspective, without moving away from our own system. Our ambition is crystal clear: we are going for gold.”

The dream final that we already predicted last week therefore remains a possibility on Sunday, 16 August. Considering the level both teams displayed last Sunday, one might assume that the other teams will be battling for the bronze medal. Unless, of course, a classic surprise emerges from the sand.

The Vandecaveye brothers won the final round of the Belgian Beach Tour in Nieuwpoort in impressive fashion. Just like at last year’s Masters Finals and in Leuven this year, the West Flemish duo came from behind and prevailed after a high-quality match. It is remarkable how Gilles and Louis remain calm and composed, even when trailing by four or five points. They always deliver when it matters most. Overcoming this highly efficient pair will therefore be a major challenge for Van Langendonck and Vercauteren, both mentally and from a technical and tactical perspective.

“It was indeed a great final last Sunday,” confirms Rik Donkers. “The spectators were the real winners. The two teams are very evenly matched. We will discuss and analyse the matches this week and then search for the answer. Where is the key to beating Gilles and Louis? We are looking forward to it.”

Text: Walter Vereeck
Photos: Rudy Pollé / Pim Waslander