Netherlands Secures Victory Over Belgium in Volleyball Nations League

In a fiercely contested match held at the Omnisport Stadium in Apeldoorn, the Netherlands triumphed over Belgium with a score of 3-1 during the third week of the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) 2025. The victory, celebrated on July 10, 2025, boosted the Dutch team to ninth place in the standings, keeping their hopes alive for a place in the tournament finals scheduled for July 23-27 in Łódź.

The match showcased a spirited performance from the home team, particularly from captain Nika Daalderop, who led the scoring with 18 points. Other key contributors included Helena Kok with 14 points, and both Elles Dambrink and Britte Stuut, who added 12 points each. The Netherlands benefited significantly from the strategic play of setter Sarah van Aalen, whose assists enabled all five starting hitters to reach double-digit scoring, demonstrating the team’s cohesive attack strategy.

"I’m very happy that we got to play for this crowd in this city that feels like home to me," expressed Suus Gerritsen, a middle blocker who had previously played for Apeldoorn’s Draisma Dynamo. "We had some difficulties in the third set, but I’m happy that we picked it back up in set four. That was a great job from our team, but Belgium also fought hard and played an amazing game."

Belgium’s performance featured a standout showing from 17-year-old outside hitter Liese Verhelst, who scored a team-high 17 points in her first VNL start. The match was closely contested with set scores of 26-24, 25-22, 22-25, and 25-22, showcasing the competitive spirit characteristic of this Low Countries derby.

The victory allowed the Netherlands to improve their standing, moving from 12th to 9th place with five wins and 13 points. They are now within striking distance of seventh-placed Germany and eighth-placed the United States, both of whom have 16 and 14 points respectively but still have matches to play on the same day.

This match comes in the backdrop of an exciting day in the VNL, where reigning champions Italy defeated world champions Serbia in straight sets, further highlighting the high stakes and competitive nature of the tournament. As the tournament progresses, teams are increasingly aware that every match could significantly affect their chances of reaching the finals.

Looking ahead, the Netherlands will continue to rely on their strong home support and the leadership of players like Daalderop and van Aalen as they aim for a successful finish in the preliminary phase of the VNL. The upcoming matches will be crucial for determining which teams advance to the finals in Łódź, with all eyes on the Netherlands to see if they can maintain their momentum.