Star player Ferre Reggers (24 pts) and Pierre Perin (18 pts) were the standouts for the Belgians. On Wednesday, the Red Dragons opened their first participation in the VNL with a great 3-1 win against vice world champion Bulgaria (FIVB 10). A logical 3-1 defeat against host country Brazil (FIVB 3) followed on Thursday. On Friday, Serbia (FIVB 12) was also too strong with 3-1. The match against Iran was their last on Brazilian soil.
2nd competition week
For the second week of competition, the Belgian team heads to Gliwice, Poland (24-28 June) for confrontations with defending champion Poland, China, Germany and Turkey.
The third week follows in Osaka, Japan (July 15-19), where Cuba, Italy, Japan and Canada are the opponents. Captain Sam Deroo is also expected back with the team in Osaka.
The top seven in the final standings of the Nations League, together with host country China, qualify for the Final 8 in Ningbo, China (July 29-August 2).
Olympic Games
The Red Dragons hope to retain their position in their first year in the VNL. They can thus gain important points for the FIVB ranking, which determines qualification for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. The top twelve in the world rankings qualify for the Games, an Olympic qualifying tournament is a thing of the past.
After the Nations League, the European Championship for the Dragons will follow, from September 10 to 26. Belgium is placed in group C in Finland, together with Denmark, Estonia, host country Finland, Serbia and the Netherlands. The final phase of the tournament will take place in Italy.