The Belgian volleyball world can hardly believe its eyes. Libero Gorik Lantsoght is only twenty, yet his sporting journey already reads like an adventure novel. Without ever setting foot in the Topsportschool, the young Antwerp native rocketed to the very top. After starting out on the sand and spending five formative years in Antwerp, he moved into a leading role in the Red Dragons’ reception line. Following an exhausting international summer spent travelling around the world and competing at the highest level, the new libero secured a major transfer to national champions Greenyard Maaseik. The phenomenon from Ekeren is ready to chase top honours in the Lotto Volley League as well.

Last summer, Gorik Lantsoght seemed to emerge from nowhere at the World Championship in the Philippines, where the young prospect immediately earned a starting spot. A year later, he has shown that his breakthrough was no one-day wonder. During a gruelling Volleyball Nations League (VNL) and a turbulent European Championship, the 1.86-metre libero became the undisputed leader of Belgium’s defence.

His steep rise did not go unnoticed in the transfer market. National champions Greenyard Maaseik signed the top prospect for two seasons and guaranteed him the first libero position. Between his first days in his own apartment in Limburg and preparations for the Supercup, Gorik took plenty of time to talk about his unconventional development, the lessons he learned from captain Sam Deroo, the disappointment at the European Championship, his first impressions of coach Uģis Krastiņš and his new teammates at the Steengoed Arena.

Gorik, for those who do not know your journey very well: your route to the Belgian and international top is quite unique. You did not attend the Topsportschool and spent years playing as a reception-wing attacker. How do you look back on that unusual development?

Gorik Lantsoght: “It is indeed a rather atypical story. I started out in beach volleyball with Timo De Gaspari, Tom van Walle and Kyan Vercauteren, and later joined Antwerp. I spent five years there, but with the second team I mainly played as a reception-wing attacker. It was only about three years ago that I made the permanent switch to libero. At 1.86 metres, I am obviously not the tallest player at the net, but I have always felt very comfortable in reception and defence. The fact that I never went to the Topsportschool and am now the first libero for Maaseik and the national team makes it even more special. I realise very well that what I have experienced over the past two years is absolutely not normal. Everything is happening incredibly fast.”

Last summer, then head coach Zanini called you up to the Red Dragons for the first time, and you were immediately in the starting line-up at the World Championship in the Philippines. How did you experience that first major test among the world’s best?

“It was an enormous experience. Suddenly you are on the court with players you used to watch on television: Sam Deroo, Ferre Reggers and Stijn D’Hulst. I played almost every match at that World Championship. There were difficult moments, of course — such as against Finland or Italy, when Kobe Verwimp came on and played extremely well — but that tournament gave me the mental confidence that I really could claim my place at the highest level. I knew I was close, and I took the opportunities I could.”

This past summer was even more intense, with the Volleyball Nations League and the European Championship. As the only libero selected, you played virtually every point, from Brazil and Japan to Finland and Turin. How demanding was that physically and mentally?

“Honestly, I never expected top-level volleyball to be so incredibly exhausting, both physically and mentally. The VNL is a succession of top-level matches all around the world. One day you face Bulgaria or Serbia, the next day a world power like Brazil. Because I was the only libero in the squad at the European Championship, all the pressure rested on my shoulders and I really had to play every point. The travel, time zones and constant serving pressure demand a huge amount from your body. Mentally, it was tough when opponents targeted you with their serves and the balls did not immediately fall your way, but the team helped me through it every time. It has made me a much more mature player.”

The European Championship unfortunately ended in sporting disappointment, especially after captain Sam Deroo went down injured. How do you process a setback like that?

“We came to the European Championship with the clear ambition of competing for a medal, so the disappointment afterwards was enormous. We simply did not show the level we reached at last year’s World Championship. Sam Deroo’s injury had a huge impact. On and off the court, Sam was our rock and the guide in the reception line. During difficult moments, he comes over, reassures you, organises the team and makes the choices very clear in advance. Usually, what he says happens. As a young libero, you absorb that experience. With him out and the whole group having to dig deep physically after the gruelling VNL, we did not reach our top level. But that disappointment gives me even more hunger to prove myself again at Maaseik.”

Your performances over the past two seasons put you on the wish lists of many clubs this summer. There was concrete interest from France, and Roeselare also made enquiries. Why did you eventually choose Greenyard Maaseik?

“There were some great options in France, but at twenty I felt that moving abroad was still a little too early. Roeselare also got in touch, but Maaseik’s project made sense from A to Z. For decades, Maaseik has been an absolute top club that competes for the league title every season and plays in the Belgian Cup and the Champions League. The decisive factor, however, was the trust: Maaseik gave me a full guarantee that I would be its first libero. I need those playing minutes and that firm belief in me to keep taking steps forward.”

It is also your first season as a full-time professional, and for the first time you are living on your own in an apartment in Maaseik. How are you finding this new life in Limburg?

“It is a big change, but a fantastic one. At Antwerp, I still combined volleyball with work or studies at Thuismakers. At Maaseik, I am now a full-time professional for two seasons. I have moved into an apartment five minutes from the sports hall. Maaseik is also a very warm, family-oriented club. If you need anything, the people at the club are immediately there for you.”

How have your first contacts and impressions of the new head coach, Latvian Uģis Krastiņš, been?

“Extremely positive. He is a fiery, passionate coach who sits on the bench with tremendous energy. He coaches very specifically, has a great sense of when to call a timeout or make a substitution, and does not hesitate to congratulate you personally after a good play. For a young group like ours, that positive motivation is invaluable. He brings a lot of tactical clarity to our middle blockers and our defence.”

And how is your integration into the dressing room with your new teammates going?

“Very smoothly; the atmosphere is fantastic. I already knew some of the guys very well. I played with Joppe Wolters for two years at Antwerp, Tijmen Bus is my age, and Sam Fafchamps joined up with me after the European Championship. There are also some very interesting international newcomers. I had already spoken with Finnish reception-wing player Anti Ronkainen at the European Championship; he brings a lot of experience, calm and stability to our reception line. Croatian opposite Gabrijel Van Ciger — who arrived from top club Perugia as their second opposite — has fantastic technique. Setter Finoli has a very clever, tactical serve, and Estonian Tristan Täht brings huge power with a thunderous hit from positions 2 and 4. We are still waiting for Jordi Van Laar to recover from an abdominal injury.”

During the pre-season campaign you played friendlies against teams including Orion, Paris Volley and Chaumont. Where do you think this revamped Maaseik team stands?

“In those friendlies we showed spells of very good volleyball. Our reception line is stable and the connection between reception and our block-defence is working well. We may not be the most physical team in the league, but we are a very close-knit unit with a great fighting spirit and a willingness to dive for every ball. We also have many players who can serve with great tactical awareness and precision.”

This weekend brings the first official clash of the season: the Supercup against arch-rivals Knack Roeselare at the Reo Arena. How are you approaching it?

“It will immediately be a fantastic derby and a real benchmark to see where we are. Roeselare has a wealth of experience, but we will counter that with youthful energy, hunger and tactical sharpness. Because our setter and opposite have been training with us since the first day of pre-season, the automatic connections in our game are already very good. The Supercup is a trophy in its own right, but also an important signal for the rest of the season. We will do everything we can to bring that cup back to Limburg.”

The league starts shortly afterwards with an away match against Waremme. What do you expect from them?

“Waremme must absolutely not be underestimated. They have strengthened their team this summer with, among others, Lallemand, Eltiot De Vleeschhauwer and Swedish setter Oskar von Sydow. They have a very good starting line-up. But Maaseik’s ambitions are crystal clear: we want to compete for the top prizes on every front. We want to defend the league title, win the Belgian Cup and shine in Europe.”

In the Champions League, you have huge matches against Trentino, Lube Civitanova and Warsaw. Are those fixtures something you dream about?

“Very much so. When you see the draw and clubs like Trentino, Lube and Warsaw, you know these will be three matches in which you have to fight to survive. But as a young player, they are dream matches. You learn an incredible amount at that level, and hopefully we can take that experience into the Belgian league and make a difference.”

Quick-fire dilemmas
A quick 3-0 win or a thrilling 3-2 victory?
“Definitely a quick 3-0! A 3-2 gives the crowd a spectacle and plenty of tension, but a straightforward 3-0 saves energy for the rest of a long season.”

A tactical chess match or pure attacking power?
“Pure attacking power! Tactics are crucial, but I play a lot on instinct. And for the supporters in a packed hall, pure power is wonderful to watch.”

A roaring arena or clinical calm?
“A roaring, noisy arena, without a doubt! As a player, that can only give you energy.”

A moment of individual brilliance or a flawless tactical plan?
“For me as a libero, a moment of individual brilliance in defence! In defence, you depend on the situation, and an impossible save can really make the difference.”

Signing international stars or developing home-grown talent?
“If you play for a top club like Maaseik or Roeselare and want to compete for the major European trophies, you need international reinforcements. But clubs in the middle of the table absolutely need to focus on their own youth players.”

Text: Kenny Hennens
Picture: xvphotography