Caruur Volley GENT and VC OUDEGEM triumph in Belgian Cup finals

After two years without any spectators, the EuroMillions Cup Finals in Antwerp turned out to be a huge success, as they spoiled many Belgian Volleyball fans with two thrilling games contested on a high level, with outsiders Caruur Volley GENT and VC OUDEGEM emerging as surprise winners.  

Men’s final - Caruur Volley GENT vs. Lindemans AALST 3-1 (21-25, 25-23, 25-23, 25-14) 

Following a six-year winning streak by Knack ROESELARE, first time ever finalist Caruur Volley GENT caused a huge surprise by beating Lindemans AALST 3-1. 

AALST initially justified their role as the main contender for the title, going up one set and with middle blocker Simon Van de Voorde creating a substantial bonus in the second: 25-21, 12-7.  Yet, from that moment on, GENT’s captain and setter, Tim Degruyter found a perfect finisher in Jente De Vries, who crowned the comeback of the underdogs at 25-23. Tobias Kjaer dragged his team from 15-19 down to yet another remarkable comeback in set three: 25-23. The current number seven of the Belgian league added one more level to their game and crushed the favourites to a comprehensive 25-14 win in the fourth set. For GENT, this is an outstanding achievement, since it is the very first trophy in the club’s history.

Women’s final - VC OUDEGEM vs. VDK Bank GENT Damesvolley 3-1 (25-16, 30-32, 25-16, 25-20) 

In the women’s final, VC OUDEGEM caused another surprise by beating highly favoured VDK Bank GENT Damesvolley, who had not lost a single game in Belgium this season. 

Led by Elise Van Sas, Yellow Tigers’ second setter in last year’s VNL, the ‘Pink Ladies’ dominated VDK Bank GENT Damesvolley four sets long, only losing the second after a nerve-wracking epilogue in which OUDEGEM spoiled a 24-20 lead and failed to convert as many as seven set points. However, top scorer Nikita De Paepe (25 points) finally broke the resistance of Marlies Janssens (also 25 points) and her VDK-teammates. For VC OUDEGEM, it is the second Belgian Cup title in the club’s history, nine years after they beat Asterix KIELDRECHT in 2013.