Belgian club volleyball is experiencing an exceptional week, with almost unique events on the calendar. Knack Roeselare (Champions League), VC Greenyard Maaseik (CEV Cup) and Lindemans Aalst (Challenge Cup) are all performing brilliantly in Europe.

“Fans will soon be able to enjoy three top-level clashes,” smiles youngster Pierre Perin (22), one of Maaseik’s key players alongside Dutch powerhouse Sil Meijs.
A midweek menu (Wed/Thu) to savour. A “three out of three” would be magnificent — clear proof of the rising competitiveness of Belgian volleyball in Europe. “After our 2–3 win on the Bosphorus, the team is bursting with fighting spirit and confidence,” says Perin, eager to shine.

Liège-born Pierre Perin — son of Vincent Perin, chairman of VBC Waremme — is a rising star in the volleyball world. His success is all the more deserved after the misfortunes of his brother Martin (23), whose promising libero career at Maaseik was cut short by serious heart problems in 2022 and 2024. “Martin is now team manager at Waremme. A role that suits him perfectly and that he takes very seriously,” says Pierre.

How do you explain Maaseik’s strong progression after an uncertain start?
Pierre Perin: “We were only complete two weeks before the season started. The automatisms weren’t there yet. The mayonnaise didn’t take immediately. It took time to find the right flow. With our new Polish coach Pawel Woicki, we worked extremely hard to turn things around from the third match onward. And now everything is going great: we are back in town.”

The plan has succeeded both domestically and in Europe?
“Oh yes. We are fighting for the Belgian Cup (after our last win in 2012) and for the title. And Galatasaray is our fifth round in the CEV Cup.
We are also doing very well (3 out of 3) in the BeNe Conference: 3–1 against Lycurgus Groningen, 0–3 at Orion Stars Doetinchem and 3–0 against Simplex SSS Barneveld, despite the fatigue from the heavy trip to Turkey.
Earlier, we eliminated Knack Roeselare in the Belgian Cup semi-finals, earning a ticket to the final against Decospan Menen on 11 April in the AFAS Dome in Antwerp.
In the Champion Play-offs, we are also chasing the finals. In short: 2026 could bring us our greatest successes since 2019.”

You clearly feel good in Maaseik, where “volleymania” is returning?
“I feel stronger and stronger. (Pierre scored 20 attacks against Galatasaray and served 7 aces, sometimes at 130 km/h.) The fans appreciate me too. At the 2024 VolleyProms, I was named ‘Rookie of the Year’. In 2025, the supporters’ club ‘Sterk es Eik’ awarded me the ‘Bronze Shoe’.
My studies in International Business at HELMo in Liège are also going well. So yes, I’m a very happy man.”

You hope to extend that happiness on Wednesday against Galatasaray. The 2–3 win in Istanbul gives confidence, right?
“Yes, but I know the job isn’t done. The home match will require maximum concentration from the whole team to turn the mission ‘CEV semi-final’ into reality.
Galatasaray is third in the Efeler Liga, with a powerful squad of sixteen players… eleven of whom are over two metres tall.
Their star is French opposite Jean Patry, double Olympic champion (2m07). He is one of six foreign players, all physically imposing: Americans Thomas Jaeschke and Michael Patrick Wright, Bulgarian Georgi Tatarov, Canadian Stephen Maar and Cuban Roamy Alonso Arce.
Add to that the huge experience of veterans Hassan Yesilbudak (libero) and Arslan Eksi (setter). Their coach is Andrea Gardini, a former Italian superstar.”

Is there a risk of underestimating them?
“On the contrary. We know exactly how strong they are. They couldn’t get through their Champions League pool with Roeselare, hence their drop to the CEV Cup. In the Turkish league, they recently lost to leaders Ziraat Bankasi Ankara and Spor Toto. Signs of doubt, yes, but we must not fall into that trap.
Our great performances against Craiova, Tourcoing, Alanya and Karlovarsko deserve a successful continuation.
One thing is certain: it will be all hands on deck. We must reduce our number of errors (40 in the first leg). I insist on maximum focus, mental sharpness and efficiency in all aspects of the game.
My motto: focus on ourselves and go for another 3–2 win, with the support of our fans.
Faster would be even better: 3–0 or 3–1. But beware: Jean Patry can hurt us badly. A 0–3 or 1–3 defeat would be disastrous. At 2–3, everything is decided in the Golden Set. Anything can happen.”

You ask the fans for loud support. The Turks aren’t used to that.
“Absolutely. The Steengoed Arena will be packed. The club has reserved 200 tickets for Turkish fans from Limburg.
But everyone knows: Turkish men’s volleyball attracts very little audience, unlike the women’s game. That works in our favour. We will have our ‘seventh man’.
And for clarity: security will be reinforced due to tensions in the Middle East. Everyone is welcome, safely.”

Looking at the other quarter-finals: Lüneburg–Poitiers 3–1, Berlin–Piacenza 0–3, Ljubljana–Fenerbahçe 3–2. Who would you prefer in the semi-final?
“There’s nothing to choose. We will face the winner of Lüneburg–Poitiers. I think Poitiers is slightly stronger.
The other semi-final will be a huge clash between Piacenza and the winner of Ljubljana–Fenerbahçe.”

In the Champion Play-offs, you also dream of the finals. And the summer?
“A new Red Dragons campaign is coming in the Volleyball Nations League, with matches in Brazil, Poland and Japan. Then the Euro qualifiers, with the group stage in Tampere against Finland, Estonia, Serbia, the Netherlands and Denmark.
A lot of work, but that’s why we do it. (Laughs) Not much time left for my hobby as a pastry chef.”

Have you extended your contract with Maaseik?
“Yes. I followed the example of our Argentine setter Juan Finoli and middle blockers Sam Fafchamps and Gustavs Freimanis. A transfer abroad is not on my mind yet. I’m living on a cloud in Maaseik. I get every opportunity to grow. It’s the ideal situation for me right now.”

Text: LP
Image: Jan Vanmedegael