The Yellow Tigers: Belgian Women's Volleyball Powerhouse
Team Analysis
Belgium, a country well-known for its chocolate and waffles, has been quietly building a powerful presence in women's volleyball. With their remarkable talent and cohesiveness, the Belgian women's volleyball team, fondly known as the Yellow Tigers, has been making waves.
Here are some of the features and assets that have helped the Yellow Tigers get to the forefront of the volleyball arena.
Teamwork and Cohesion
The Yellow Tigers' ability to function flawlessly as a team is one of their biggest strengths. On the court, their outstanding collaboration and open communication seems to produce a melodic symphony. The players are aware of one another's assets and limitations, which enables them to anticipate and support one another. This creates a fluid and cohesive gameplay that keeps rivals on their toes.
Gert Vande Broek is the long-serving head coach who brought glory to the Yellow Tigers in international competitions. With his vast experience and expertise in coaching, he has played a crucial role for 15 years in shaping the team into a cohesive unit.
His successor, now at the helm of the Belgian team, is the esteemed Kris Vansnick, who has been Vande Broek's assistant since 2008.
Kris Vansnick"Personally, I don't see myself as a copycat, but of course we're not suddenly going to play differently. We've strengthened the staff with people who already have international experience. We have a strategic approach, with an emphasis on teamwork, and ability to bring out the best in each player. These qualities are our DNA and they are key to the team's success.”
Coach Belgium
Britt Herbots: The Player to Watch Out For
One of the standout players in the Yellow Tigers is Britt Herbots. According to most fans: “she's the rock of the team”. Her incredible talent and skills on the court have earned her recognition and admiration from fans and experts alike. In the Women's World Championship, Herbots achieved a remarkable feat by scoring 41 points in a single match, making it the second-highest mark ever achieved by a player in the tournament's history. Her powerful spikes, precise serves, and court awareness make her a formidable force on the team. Keep an eye on her…
Success in the European Championship?
After an average Golden League last June, the Yellow Tigers’ focus has now switched to the 2023 European championship, a “prestigious competition that showcases the best of European women's volleyball”. Head coach Kris Vansnick adds that Belgium's Tigers are “determined to seize a once in a lifetime opportunity to inspire their nation when they play at home this August. We're trying to enjoy it. During the Golden League, we did a lot of rotation. Now we're going to go back to our core players, with a precise role for each one." concludes Vansnick.
“It does add pressure but it's nice pressure" Britt Herbots says, the superstar outside hitter who will go into the tournament on the back of another exceptional season at club level. “Our pool features Poland and Serbia, 2 teams with a high world ranking, alongside a couple of plucky underdogs such as Belgium. It will not be easy to navigate it."