Belgium’s men’s national volleyball team won their third match at the European Championship in Finland, defeating Estonia 3-1. After a convincing opening set and a more difficult spell, the Red Dragons showed their character when it mattered most. Effective substitutions, determined defending and an influential Sam Deroo helped Belgium take control of the contest. Deroo finished as the match’s leading scorer with 22 points, followed by Ferre Reggers with 19.

Head coach Emanuele Zanini opted to start Pieter Coolman, with Samuel Fafchamps beginning on the bench. Belgium quickly found their rhythm as setter Stijn D’Hulst brought his middle blockers into the game. Martijn Colson scored three consecutive points through the middle, setting the tone for a strong Belgian start. The Dragons also made the difference from the service line. With Reggers serving, their lead grew to 9-5. Belgium played with energy and variety, keeping the Estonian defence busy and steadily gaining control. A strong serving run from Coolman helped extend the advantage to 14-7. The team was firing on all cylinders, combining attacking power with service pressure to move 20-11 ahead. Estonia pulled back a few points but could no longer trouble the Dragons. A superb set from D’Hulst to Colson brought up the first set point at 24-17, before Reggers blocked Robert Täht to seal the opening set, 25-17.

The second set began evenly, but Estonia gradually took the initiative. Strong serving helped the Estonians establish an early advantage at 6-8. Belgium’s own service pressure dropped, allowing their opponents to make better use of their quick attacks through the middle. Estonia grew in confidence and increasingly found solutions across their attacking options. At 11-14, Zanini tried to refocus his team. Reggers kept Belgium within reach with powerful attacks, but the Dragons were unable to close the gap. Deroo was also called upon frequently, without Belgium managing to turn the tide. Another run of powerful Estonian serves widened the gap to 17-21 late in the set. Belgium could find no response and conceded the second set, 18-25.

Belgium responded immediately in the third set. Deroo put the Estonian reception under pressure and helped the Dragons build a 6-2 lead. Reggers also rediscovered his attacking edge as Belgium moved 8-5 ahead. Yet the momentum shifted again. With Tammearu serving and an impressive block-defence system in place, Estonia scored six consecutive points. Belgium’s lead disappeared, forcing Zanini to intervene at 8-11. He introduced Fafchamps and Plaskie to give his team fresh impetus. The Dragons regrouped and fought their way back into the set, point by point. The substitutes brought energy, and Belgium began finding more attacking solutions. At 13-12, the Belgians were back in front, although the contest remained fiercely competitive. Estonia stayed close through their quick middle attacks and Tammearu’s sharp cross-court hitting. Belgium led 18-16 and 19-18, only for Estonia to draw level again in the closing stages. When Reggers tried to find the blockers’ fingertips but missed, the score was tied at 21-21. Deroo then made the difference both in attack and at the net, leading his team to a 24-21 advantage. The final point captured Belgium’s fighting spirit: Lantsoght kept the ball alive with a series of superb saves before Deroo finished the rally. The 25-21 set win put the Dragons back in front, two sets to one.

Winning that hard-fought third set visibly boosted Belgium’s confidence. The Dragons started the fourth sharply and immediately put Estonia under pressure. Varied attacking play, including a powerful pipe attack from Deroo, helped them race into a 7-2 lead. Their body language told the same story: Belgium were united, defending with conviction and fighting for every point. At 11-4, the Dragons had a firm grip on the match. Estonia had fewer and fewer answers to Belgium’s play and could no longer narrow the gap.

Belgium maintained their level and never relinquished control. At 24-13, they earned their first match points before completing a 3-1 victory.

The Red Dragons thus ended their third European Championship match with a win that underlined their resilience. After a difficult second set and an Estonian surge in the third, Belgium kept fighting. The contribution from the bench, the defensive effort and the attacking quality at decisive moments laid the foundations for victory.

Started for Belgium: Reggers (19), Deroo (22), D’Hulst, Coolman (3), Rotty (5), Colson (11) and Lantsoght.

Came on: Plaskie (4), Valkiers, Dermaux, Vandecruys (1) and Fafchamps (5).