The League competition for women started last weekend. The men begin during the weekend of 16, 17 and 18 October. Neatly in between, the Supercup is organised. This cup is being dusted off because the League is pulling out all the stops with a renewed, ambitious formula. It deviates from the long-standing tradition in which the Supercup is played between the national champion and the cup winner.

With a mini tournament in which several top clubs compete against each other, it wants to kick off the season with a striking and revolutionary twist. Marie De Clerck, general director of the Lotto Volley League, explains the remarkable change of course.

“We brainstormed about this for a long time,” says De Clerck. “The main goal was clear from the start. We wanted to involve more clubs in the event and thus give Belgian club volleyball a broader platform. In consultation with the clubs and Volley Belgium, we finally decided on this concept. Volley Belgium is indeed co-organiser, but has no operational operation, so we ensure a good course of events, together with Volley Vlaanderen and the club from Roeselare. Everyone works together and does their part.”

The challenges
“We realise very well that quite a few challenges are coming our way with this renewed concept,” De Clerck admits candidly. “For the women, the tournament takes place immediately after their first competition weekend — so after one weekend there is already an interruption — while the Supercup for the men is scheduled one weekend later. Indeed, some flexibility and logistical puzzling is required.”

On Sunday, at 9:30 am, Tectum Achel (third in the competition last year) and cup winner Decospan Menen kick off. Subsequently, vice-champion Knack Roeselare and national champion Greenyard Maaseik take each other on. In the afternoon, the same scenario unfolds among the women. Champion Asterix Avo Beveren meets Darta Bevo Roeselare (second last season), after which cup holder VC Oudegem enters the fray with SAB Diving Brabo Antwerp (third).

The winners meet at the end of the day in the big finals: at 4:30 pm for the men, at 7:00 pm for the women.

Evaluate extensively afterwards
“Of course, we already received a lot of questions about this renewal. Neither Knack Roeselare nor Achel became champion and neither won a cup either. The same applies to Antwerp and Bevo Roeselare among the women. The first matches (the semi-finals) are played in two sets. In the worst-case scenario, it can simply happen that — I’ll say randomly — Achel or Maaseik may travel back to Limburg after two sets. That is indeed a considerable risk, about which we have talked extensively and which we will thoroughly examine afterwards. The finals are played to three winning sets.”

Why is the organisation then completed in the Reo Arena of Roeselare and not at the national champions of Maaseik, some teams wonder. “We opened the organisation and every club could sign up to organise the Supercup. Roeselare turned out to be the best option, with a large competition hall and a separate space for the warm-up, so that the schedule could not be compromised. Maaseik and Achel already arrive a day in advance. At their own expense, hopefully they bring some supporters with them.”

“People reacted with surprise to the match schedule. As if we rate the cup winners — they have to face the fourth of last year — higher than the championship team, because that team has to take on the second of last season. Yet another point that we will evaluate extensively afterwards. Every scenario has its pros and cons. I can tell you that we mainly want to blow a positive, new wind through the Supercup. That is our priority.”

For this new concept, the League looked with a sideways eye at international top countries such as Italy and Poland, where the Supercup is also tackled in a big way. “In those countries they spread the tournament over two days. For financial and organisational reasons, that was not feasible for us. But the philosophy is the same: putting down a more interesting, more attractive volleyball party.”

Media interest is in any case good: the matches are broadcast live by Sporza and Proximus. Besides the action on the court, the event also functions as the official season opener. Just before the finals, the League, the Flemish and the Walloon federation clarify their operation during a joint press conference. All teams also get the opportunity to present themselves to press and public.

Text: Walter Vereeck
Photo: Bevograaf