In Suhl, a town of barely 36,000 inhabitants tucked away in the hills of Thuringia, something happened this volleyball season that even the most optimistic observers would not have predicted. A team without star status and without a history as a title contender first won the German Cup and then also claimed the national championship. At the helm stood a Belgian setter who, four years ago, decided to leave her safe haven.

For Lara Nagels, this is the reward for a career that was built step by step. After strong seasons at Ostend and VC Oudegem, the idea of pushing her limits gradually took shape. First she moved to Greece, to Markópoulo Revoil, and then to Germany, where she wrote history this year with VfB Suhl Thüringen.

No one had picked them as title favourites. For years, Suhl had been a solid mid-table side in the Bundesliga, a provincial team from Thuringia capable of causing the occasional upset against a top club, but rarely a real contender. This season, everything suddenly came together.

“It clicked from day one,” Nagels says. “We had a strong player in every position. And winning matches obviously gave us more fuel and energy. Success feeds confidence, and ours grew to unprecedented levels.”

Nagels also points to the atmosphere around volleyball in Germany as a major factor in Suhl’s rise. “I played almost every match in front of full stands here. Every club has a passionate fan base. In Suhl, sport really matters. The fans are always there. The fact that this small club could beat the established top teams gave us a huge boost.”

The fairy tale began with the German Cup. In the semi-final, powerhouse Schwerin was eliminated, and in the final the overwhelming favourite from Stuttgart, with Belgian players Pauline Martin and Anna Koulberg, had to bow to Lara Nagels’ energetic team. Five sets, finished 15-13 in the tie-break. “Winning the cup was a real shock result. At that point, our season was already a success.”

But the team was not done yet. In the play-offs, belief grew with every match. Suhl beat opponent after opponent with a bigger name and carried that momentum all the way to the title finals against Dresdner SC. That team, featuring Amanda Siksna, sister of Knack player Eric Siksna, and also a former side of Nathalie Lemmens, was clearly the favourite. The unexpected home advantage gave the “Suhlse Wölfe” an extra push. What began as an unlikely winning run ended in a second upset: the German championship. “Volleyball champion,” Nagels smiles. “It still sounds a little unreal.”

The price of success is now becoming visible. Several key players are leaving for bigger clubs and better contracts. Suhl will have to replace three starters, but the ambition remains. Next season, the “small” Suhl will even play in the CEV Champions League. Nagels is staying on as the team’s conductor in a revamped squad. “The team is changing a bit, that’s the law of sport after such a successful year. Three starters are leaving, but next season’s team is already in place. I’m staying at least one more year. We’re ready for Europe.”

While the memories of the title celebrations in Thuringia are still fresh, Lara Nagels is already back with the Yellow Tigers. The Belgian national team began its 2026 summer campaign in May with the Volleyball Nations League, followed by the European Championship. The German double does not automatically guarantee a starting spot with the national team.

“We’ve only just started training,” Nagels says. “It’s a big group, so coach Kris Vansnick still has to make the final selection. Just because I won the cup and the German championship doesn’t mean I get more guarantees in the national team. I still have to fight for my place. It’s going to be a busy programme again. The VNL starts right after the fan day, with the first week in Nanjing, then Ankara and Hong Kong. In August we play the European Championship in Baku, Azerbaijan.”

Nagels comes from a volleyball family. Her father Jan is still active in the sport, and her brothers Joren and Jelle play together at Marke-Webis Wevelgem. She did not follow the classic elite sports-school route, but at 28 — the ideal age for a setter — she has already built up plenty of experience.

Moving abroad four years ago proved to be a turning point. “In Greece, the physical side gets more attention; in Germany, volleyball is more about technique and tactical speed. That’s what made me the setter I am today. I haven’t regretted it for a single second,” she concludes.

Text: WV
Photo: Lara Nagels