The Yellow Tigers concluded the group stage of the European Championship with an impressive 3-2 victory over the Netherlands. Belgium won the opening two sets before the Dutch fought back to level the match. In a thrilling tie-break, the Tigers kept their composure to secure their fifth consecutive victory. The set scores were 27-25, 25-22, 22-25, 18-25 and 15-13. With five wins from five matches, Belgium finish top of their group and head to Istanbul with a perfect record for the round of 16.

Head coach Kris Vansnick once again opted for his familiar starting line-up. The Netherlands made the brighter start and quickly moved 0-3 ahead, but the Tigers responded decisively and levelled the score at 3-3. An evenly contested opening set followed. The Dutch regained a narrow advantage at 9-11, but with Lara Nagels at the service line and Britt Herbots delivering in attack, Belgium turned the score around to lead 12-11.

The Tigers continued to push and moved two points clear at 15-13 thanks to Nathalie Lemmens. Belgium initially remained in control, but a few errors saw their 18-16 lead turn into an 18-20 deficit. The Netherlands held on to that advantage and earned two set points at 22-24. Vansnick’s double substitution once again proved its value. Britt Fransen saved the first set point before Liese Verhelst brought Belgium level at 24-24. The Tigers earned their first set point at 25-24, which the Netherlands managed to save. Herbots then handed Belgium another opportunity, before a Dutch attack landed out to settle the opening set: 27-25.

Belgium carried their strong level into the second set and immediately took control at 4-2 and 8-5. Herbots produced a block to make it 9-5, prompting the Netherlands to call a time-out. The Belgian service pressure remained extremely high, with Nagels helping the Tigers extend their advantage to 14-5.

The introduction of Knollema provided the Netherlands with fresh momentum. A strong run from the service line helped reduce the deficit to 15-10. Belgium then began to struggle and saw the Dutch close the gap to two points at 20-18. Vansnick used a time-out to refocus his team, and Herbots responded immediately by scoring for 21-18. The Netherlands continued to apply pressure but could not draw level. Tea Radovic handed Belgium three set points at 24-21. After a long rally featuring opportunities for both teams, Herbots finished the set with a pipe attack: 25-22.

The third set also began evenly. Britt Rampelberg stood out with several impressive defensive plays, while Pauline Martin found her rhythm with three consecutive points. The Netherlands, however, had no intention of going down in straight sets. Inspired by Knollema, the Dutch moved 6-10 ahead, prompting Vansnick to call a time-out and urge his team to rediscover the sharpness they had shown in the opening two sets.

The gap continued to grow, and Belgium initially struggled to close it. Dutch opposite Elles Dambrink also began to find her best level as the Netherlands moved 12-18 ahead. Just as she had done the previous day, Radovic helped the Tigers fight their way back with a strong service run. Belgium reduced the deficit to 16-18, but the Netherlands maintained their narrow advantage in the closing stages. Knollema earned three set points for her team at 21-24 before finishing the set herself: 22-25.

Belgium initially struggled with the fast pace of the Netherlands in the fourth set and quickly fell 3-6 behind. The Tigers kept fighting, increased their service pressure and levelled the score at 8-8. Their efforts were rewarded with a 13-11 lead, but the momentum of the set then shifted completely.

With Dambrink at the service line, the Netherlands scored seven consecutive points to move 13-18 ahead. A block by Fransen on Knollema finally brought the Dutch run to an end. Belgium closed the gap to three points at 18-21, but the Netherlands found another gear. Two consecutive kill blocks allowed the Dutch to force a tie-break: 18-25.

Belgium created the first small gap in the decisive fifth set, with Herbots serving an ace to make it 5-3. The Netherlands remained calm and immediately drew level at 5-5. Neither team gave an inch after that. Knollema and Dambrink continued to deliver for the Dutch and brought the score to 10-10.

At 11-12, the Netherlands moved ahead for the first time in the set, prompting Vansnick to call an immediate time-out. Belgium responded strongly. A good serve from Nel Demeyer and a kill block by Fransen earned the Tigers their first match point at 14-13. A Dutch net fault then brought the match to an end: 15-13. The Yellow Tigers therefore claim their fifth consecutive victory and head to Istanbul as undefeated group winners.

Reactions after the match

Captain Britt Herbots could not hide her smile after Belgium’s fifth consecutive victory.

“I am incredibly happy and very proud of the way we won this match against a strong Dutch team. They play extremely fast, which is not easy to defend against, but I think we handled it very well. We played incredible volleyball in the first two sets. In the third and fourth sets, the Netherlands showed just how strong they are, but the way we bounced back in the fifth was fantastic.

“The younger players who come onto the court also make an important contribution to our victories every time. It is wonderful to see, and I am extremely proud of them. We have now earned some rest because playing five matches in six days was intense. After that, we will be ready to travel to Turkey, where we will once again fight for every point.”

Started for Belgium

Britt Herbots (30), Nathalie Lemmens (7), Tea Radovic (9), Lara Nagels (3), Pauline Martin (19), Britt Fransen (13) and Britt Rampelberg.

Came on

Elise Van Sas, Nel Demeyer, Liese Verhelst (4) and Pauline Luyten.