The Yellow Tigers lost their second match of the third VNL week in Hong Kong against Canada. Belgium dominated the opening set and also looked on course to double their lead in the second, but Canada fought back and eventually claimed a 1-3 victory: 25-10, 21-25, 17-25 and 25-27.

Belgium made a dream start. With Nathalie Lemmens at the service line, the Yellow Tigers immediately took a 3-0 lead. Janne Deleu scored most of Belgium’s early points, prompting Canadian head coach Giovanni Guidetti to call his first timeout at 6-2.

The Belgians continued to dominate in every aspect of the game and extended their advantage to 13-7. Thanks to strong serving pressure and an organised block and defence, the gap grew to 16-8. Canada had no answer to Belgium’s play, allowing the Tigers to calmly close out the opening set 25-10.

Belgium also started the second set strongly. A serving run from Lara Nagels once again gave the Tigers an early 3-0 lead. The Belgians continued to play freely and kept the Canadian reception under pressure, increasing their advantage to 11-6.

A strong serving run from Brie Fransen helped Canada fight back to 11-9, after which head coach Kris Vansnick immediately called a timeout. Belgium initially remained the better team and moved ahead again at 17-13, but Canada began to improve defensively.

Long rallies followed and the North Americans levelled the score at 17-17. In a tense finish, Canada took the lead for the first time at 20-21. Mitrovic maintained the pressure from the service line and gave her team four set points at 20-24. Lemmens saved the first, but Canada soon levelled the match at one set apiece: 21-25.

Canada carried that momentum into the third set and made a flying start from the service line. The Canadians immediately raced into a 0-6 lead, prompting Vansnick to bring Demeyer and Luyten onto the court.

The substitutions had an immediate impact as Belgium fought back to 4-6. Canada nevertheless remained the stronger side. Van Ryk led the way for her team and helped extend the advantage to 7-12.

The Tigers closed the gap to 10-12, but Canada’s serving pressure once again caused problems for the Belgian build-up. Moving through 11-15 and 13-19, Canada created the decisive gap. Belgium could not recover from its slow start and lost the third set 17-25.

The two teams remained evenly matched in the early stages of the fourth set at 4-4 and 7-7. Belgium was the first team to open up a small gap and Guidetti immediately called a timeout at 10-8 in an attempt to avoid a deciding fifth set.

The intervention had the desired effect as Canada, led by an effective Van Ryk, turned the deficit into a 10-11 lead. With Koulberg at the service line, the Tigers regained control and moved ahead again at 18-14.

Canada once again fought its way back and moved to within two points late in the set. Belgium appeared set to force a tie-break when it earned four set points at 24-20, but the Tigers were unable to finish the set.

Canada saved all four Belgian set points and earned its first match point at 24-25. Belgium still managed to save that opportunity, but the Canadians eventually closed out the match moments later: 25-27.

After an excellent opening set and a strong start to the second, the Yellow Tigers ultimately had to accept defeat against a resilient Canadian team. The missed opportunity at the end of the fourth set will be particularly difficult to take.

Started for Belgium: Lemmens (3), Radovic (7), Nagels (2), Martin (20), Fransen (11) and Rampelberg.

Came on: Van Sas, Koulberg (6), Demeyer (1) and Luyten (6).

Reactions

Britt Fransen:

“We started the match very strongly and immediately showed what we are capable of. Canada gradually improved after that and we were unable to maintain our level consistently. I think there are still several areas in which we can improve.

The biggest disappointment is obviously the fourth set. We had the opportunity to take the match to a fifth set, but we were unable to finish it. That is extremely disappointing.”

Kris Vansnick:

“There were many positive aspects, particularly in the opening set, which we won 25-10. In the end, the match was decided by a few details, especially at the end of the fourth set.

I am mainly disappointed in myself because I think we should have been able to finish that set. We would then have gone to a tie-break, and you never know what might still be possible for Belgium in that situation.

Regardless of the result, I am pleased with large parts of our performance. We put Canada under a lot of pressure with our serve and also managed to contain them defensively for long periods.

This is another learning experience for this young group. At the same time, you also have to be disappointed when you let an opportunity like that slip away to at least make it 2-2.”