The Red Dragons have missed out on a place in the European Championship semi-finals. Belgium lost 1-3 to Slovenia in Turin (22-25, 22-25, 25-20, 13-25). Emanuele Zanini’s side put up a strong fight but lost captain Sam Deroo during the opening set after he experienced discomfort in his thigh. The Belgians battled their way back into the match with an impressive third set, before Slovenia pulled away decisively in the fourth. If Italy beat Finland later today, the Red Dragons will finish the tournament in fifth place.

The Dragons made a shaky start to their quarter-final. Two errors and a Slovenian block immediately left them trailing 0-3, prompting Zanini to call his players to order. Belgium responded with strong blocking of their own. Pieter Coolman and Sam Deroo brought the Dragons level at 6-6, setting the stage for a closely contested opening set. Both teams traded points at a high level, with the stakes clear and every ball fiercely contested. Stijn D’Hulst embodied that commitment with a save from the advertising boards. The setter suffered a cut and needed treatment shortly afterwards but was able to continue. Both sides kept siding out, with nothing separating them at 13-13. Belgium continued to match their opponents in the second half of the set. Only after winning two long rallies did Slovenia establish a small lead at 19-21. At that crucial moment, the Dragons suffered a major setback. Deroo reached for his thigh and was forced off the court. Losing their captain unsettled the Belgians, and Slovenia took advantage to claim the opening set 22-25.

Simon Plaskie replaced Deroo for the second set. The Dragons regrouped and maintained their level, with the teams level again at 9-9. Belgium continued to fight for every point and gradually took the initiative. D’Hulst capped a strong spell with an ace to give the Dragons a 16-14 lead. Slovenia responded immediately, however, winning three consecutive points to move back in front at 16-17. The Belgians stayed within touching distance, but Slovenia once again proved stronger in the closing stages. They pulled ahead to 19-22 and increased the pressure from the service line. Belgium could not close the gap and lost the second set by the same score: 22-25.

Zanini made changes for the third set. Seppe Rotty started on the bench, while Dermaux and Ferre Reggers lined up together to give the Dragons a different look. The adjustment paid off. Slovenia initially struggled to find an answer to Belgium’s new line-up and, inspired by a fired-up Dermaux, the Dragons took control. Belgium played with renewed conviction and moved into an 11-8 lead. Their fighting spirit was back in full force, and they maintained a three-point advantage at 13-10. They kept applying pressure, chased every ball and this time denied Slovenia the opportunity to take over in the closing stages. One spectacular rally perfectly captured Belgium’s determination. The Dragons dived to rescue the ball, Reggers kept it in the air and Dermaux finished without hesitation. At 24-20, Belgium had four set points. D’Hulst rounded off an excellent set with a stuff block for 25-20. The deficit was reduced to 1-2, and the quarter-final was alive again.

The start of the fourth set, however, was a setback. Belgium immediately fell 0-4 behind, forcing Zanini to call a time-out. The Dragons tried to fight their way back but could not close the gap. Despite several good passages of play, they continued to chase the score. Plaskie and Dermaux brought renewed energy to Belgium’s game. Zanini kept searching for solutions, introducing D’Heer and Fafchamps, but the gap remained four points at 10-14. Slovenia then pushed on again. Several Belgian service errors hampered the comeback effort, and at 11-18 the task had become particularly difficult. In the closing stages, the Dragons struggled to put the ball away. Slovenia remained firmly in control, moving from 12-20 to a 13-25 set win to secure their place in the semi-finals.

The Red Dragons’ European Championship campaign therefore ends in the quarter-finals. Belgium gave everything in Turin and continued to search for solutions after losing their captain. An impressive third set forced Slovenia to dig deeper, but a complete turnaround proved beyond reach. If Italy beat Finland later today, Belgium will finish the tournament in fifth place.