For the first time in their history, the Red Dragons will take part in the Volleyball Nations League (VNL). It is a major milestone for Belgian volleyball, but also the beginning of an exceptionally demanding summer. The national team is about to embark on a transatlantic trip to Brazil, where they will be thrown straight into the deep end against the world’s elite. The preparation period in Belgium, Italy and France was short, intense and full of tactical adjustments. So where does the national team stand right now?

Ahead of departure, head coach Emanuele Zanini took the time for a long and candid interview. Between the final training sessions in Leuven and Vilvoorde, the Italian coach looked ahead with both honesty and precision. He spoke about the huge challenges within his squad, the bold tactical experiment with Ferre Reggers and Basil Dermaux, the absence of key players and the dream that is slowly becoming reality: qualifying for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

A historic step
We are on the eve of a truly historic moment: the Red Dragons’ very first VNL appearance. Looking back at the journey this team has taken, what goes through your mind now that the bags for Brazil are being packed?

Emanuele Zanini: “When I think back to the moment I started here as head coach four years ago, there is one thing we simply cannot deny: we have made a lot of progress with this team. The connection between the federation, the staff and the players is excellent, and there is huge excitement for this first-ever participation. Of course, we are largely satisfied with where we are now. But we are also realistic: we know that now the real work begins. Our ultimate, big goal with this group remains unchanged: we want to qualify for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.”

A debut at this level brings a unique energy, but the VNL is also an extreme physical and mental test. How is the group doing in terms of fitness?

“The competition will be at an extremely high level, that is certain. The reality is that we are still waiting for some players and that we are dealing with injuries. The wing position is our most critical area at the moment. Mathijs Desmet has unfortunately decided to stop with the national team for personal reasons, which means we have to find an internal solution. On top of that, Seppe Rotty is just returning from a serious injury, which we have known about for a while. Getting him fully fit is a race against the clock, and he is currently only at about 60 percent of his capacity. Pierre Perrin has had a very good season, but he also finished the league with physical problems. So we have to puzzle things together. Especially because our captain, Sam Deroo, is unavailable.”

The Deroo situation
What is the situation with Deroo? Qualifying for the European Championship remains his main goal, but will we still see him in the VNL?

“Unfortunately, Sam is not fully available for these first stages yet. He may only be ready for the final week in Japan, but first he still has to go through several medical and physical checks. There is also wonderful personal news: he will soon become a father. So we are looking at his situation step by step. I cannot confirm it 100 percent yet, but knowing Sam, he will do everything he can to be there if the circumstances allow it. That has to be respected.”

That forces you into tactical adjustments. In the warm-up matches against France, Turkey and Italy, we saw a very striking experiment: Ferre Reggers on the wing and Basil Dermaux as opposite. How is that transition going?

“Ferre Reggers immediately showed that he has the flexibility and the right mentality to help the team. Switching positions in such a short time — from opposite to wing — is absolutely not easy. Especially not at this level. He is trying to master it at record speed right now. During preparation, he has already done very well. Of course, we are not blind to the risks: we know opponents will target Ferre mercilessly in reception. Many teams at this level have the serving power and tactical weapons to break a reception line. But we know where the work points are. The big advantage is that with this specific line-up we have much more potential in our own serve and in attack. It remains a work in progress, but this setup gives us extra power.”

A young squad
Most of your squad is very young. How do you assess the impact of the VNL stage on their mindset?

“We know the first matches will give us nothing for free. The competition is brutal. For most of our players, this is a completely new world. Only Stijn D’Hulst and Matthias Valkiers have experience at this very highest international level. In all other positions, that experience is simply not there yet. The first matches will therefore inevitably come with a lot of emotion. That will leave a serious impression on those young guys. But if we look at where Belgian volleyball stands today, I also see the results of our work. We will soon have as many as five players in the squad who will play in the strong Italian league next season. When I started four years ago, that was my big goal: to get our talents into better, bigger foreign leagues. That was not yet happening then. Now we are reaping the first rewards.”

Reviewing the friendlies
Your preparation took you to Beveren, Tourcoing and Verona. You beat Olympic champions France 3-2 at home, but there were also losses to Italy (2-3), Turkey (1-3) and finally France again (1-3). What do you take away from those matches?

“The win against France in Beveren was obviously a boost, but we have to be honest: they were missing all of their experienced starters. Right after the match I told my players very firmly that they had to keep both feet on the ground. The trip to Italy and Turkey gave us a better picture. Against Italy, we were really good for four sets and played at a very high level. Honestly, I think we also showed good things against Turkey, but it is simply not enough to play three tough matches in four days if you are not physically at your best yet. During that first week, we mainly wanted to check everyone’s condition thoroughly. The goal was to bring the general level, focus and technical skills of the whole group to the same standard within one week. We have two clear lines in our objectives: on one hand, collect ranking points; on the other, build for the future. Last year we finished seventh at the World Championship, and we want to maintain and improve on that level. Despite the absence of Sam Deroo and Mathijs Desmet, Seppe Rotty’s rehabilitation and Pierre Perrin’s niggles, Ferre Reggers showed himself to be very open and enthusiastic about leading this group.”

The upcoming schedule
What does the schedule look like from here? When exactly do you leave for Brazil?

“In the next few days we will complete the very last training sessions in Leuven and Vilvoorde to fine-tune the details. On Monday we will finally leave for South America. There we will immediately have to adapt to a five-hour time difference. The focus has to be razor-sharp straight away. But I have no doubt that everyone will be switched on, so that if everyone is at their best, we can confirm all the good things we have shown over the past months against the absolute giants of world volleyball.”

Text: Kenny Hennens
Photo: XV_Photography

Red Dragons schedule – Volleyball Nations League
The Red Dragons begin their VNL journey with a brutally demanding and varied schedule spread across June and July. Here is the full calendar:

10/06: Belgium – Bulgaria.

12/06: Brazil – Belgium.

12/06: Belgium – Serbia.

14/06: Belgium – Iran.

24/06: Poland – Belgium.

25/06: China – Belgium.

26/06: Belgium – Germany.

28/06: Belgium – Turkey.

15/07: Belgium – Cuba.

16/07: Belgium – Italy.

17/07: Japan – Belgium.

19/07: Belgium – Canada.

Squad:
Stijn D’Hulst, Matthias Valkiers, Ferre Reggers, Basil Dermaux, Gorik Lantsoght, Kobe Verwimp, Wout D’heer, Samuel Fafchamps, Lennert Van Elsen, Seppe Baetens, Michiel Fransen, Pierre Perin, Simon Plaskie, Seppe Roty.

Staff:
Emanuele Zanini, Koen Aerts, Leondino Giombini, Tobia Raffaele Lavecchia, Bram Wuyts, Wout Lippens, Luc Itterbeek.