A packed Steengoed Arena was seething for the apotheosis of the volleyball season. Football icons Luc Nilis and Stijn Stijnen were also spotted among the 3,000 spectators present, as was minister Jo Brouns. Maaseik showed himself sharpest in the opening phase, but watched in disbelief as ref Ghysel kept Roeselare in the running twice. Despite crystal-clear video images, Ghysel wrongly ruled twice in favor of the visitors. Pieter Coolman saw it happen with a smile. Jolan Cox kept his team on edge, but Greenyard produced far too little serving pressure to put the West Flemish team in bad hands. Under the impetus of Rotty (6 on 6 and 1 kill block), a sharp Roeselare steadily increased to 16-20. The Maaslanders, with a nervous Vanker on the pass at times, were unable to close that gap.
It didn’t work at Maaseik. Not even in set two. Serving remained below par, while blocking, Polak and Fornès achieved much less than last Thursday. Despite this, the home team still managed to score 14-12, but then Roeselare took over convincingly. Two misses from Iribarne, briefly substituted for Bartos, and a killblock from Coolman gave the visitors an 18-21 lead. Rotty, who was allowed to take the lead too often without blocking, further widened the gap to a 20-25 set win. A seventeenth Maaseik title was very far away.
Supported by the crowd, which continued to support the team despite the course of the game, Maaseik continued to fight. The third set remained tense until 19-19, after which impurities crept in again, which were mercilessly punished by Roeselare. Substitute Depovere, working on the last match of his career, served the decisive gap on the scoreboard: 19-23. Bartos provided a hint of hope with a series, but at 23-24 Rotty punctured Limburg’s title dream.
Sets: 22-25, 20-25, 23-25.
Maaseik: Polak, Bartos, Hanzic, Cox, Vanker, Fornès. Libero: Curry. Came in: Iribarne.
Roeselare: D’Hulst, Coolman, Plaskie, Verhanneman, Van Elsen, Rotty. Libero: Deroey. Arrived in: Wijkstra, Depovere.
Roeselare takes fourth title in a row
Roeselare now also wins the third set: 23-25. The fourth title in a row, number 15 in total for Knack. While the West Flemish people are having a party, the Maaseik residents are leaving in disillusionment. House analyst Franky Reijmen: “It’s a shame that too many Maaseik players are not reaching their top level today. There were opportunities, but they were clumsily thrown away.”
The home crowd gets behind it once again
Polak gives Maaseik the lead for the first time since 6-5 with a killbock: 18-17. The home crowd tries to shout Greenyard to the set win.
Tension in set three: 16-16
Set three is super exciting. Both teams are not giving each other an inch. Hanzic makes it 16-16 with a hard spike.
Roeselare now also wins the second set
Roeselare is slightly more eager and efficient than Maaseik. Verhanneman wins the second set for Knack with a kill block on Cox: 20-25. The Maaslanders – so far not strong enough in service and block – now have to win three sets in a row to take the title. A mission impossible?
Iribarne replaces Bartos and vice versa
Coach Bertini brings Iribarne for Bartos at 15-14 in set two. Analyst Franky Reijmen: “An unexpected change, unless he has problems somewhere. But I still see Bartos hopping on the side. I think he is fine.” At 18-21 Bertini brings back Bartos.
High-level opponents
House analyst Franky Reijmen is impressed by both opposites: Cox scored 86% in the first set, Rotty (photo) 100%. “Also striking: both teams are only using one middle man for the time being.” Set two has also been very even so far: 13-12
Nilis and Stijnen in the stands
Clean people in the stands. Patro coach Stijn Stijnen and his assistant Luc Nilis – both with Maaseik scarves around their necks – watch intently from block K. 6-6 in set two.
Roeselare wins the first set 22-25
Roeselare takes the first set 22-25. Player of the Year Seppe Rotty is again working at 100 percent. The experienced Verhanneman cashes in the second set ball for the West Flemish team. House analyst Franky Reijmen: “It’s a shame about those two strange decisions at the beginning of the set, otherwise the score would have been the other way around.”
Roeselare opens the first gap
Roeselare slightly takes the upper hand and leads 14-18. House analyst Franky Reijmen: “Maaseik must quickly regain its storage pressure”
Referee makes a mistake
Two questionable decisions from ref Ghysel in set one. He ignores the ball on the ground at Roeselare, despite clear images of the challenge. At the next point he sees – unlike the challenge – a touch from Maaseik. House analyst Frankie Reijmen: “Twice challenge, twice misread. Unlikely.” 5-6 instead of 7-4
With Hanzic back in the starting line-up
Maaseik coach Bertini chose – as expected – for the same starting team, which won 2-3 in Roeselare on Thursday. With Hanzic (photo) back in the starting line-up at the expense of Iribarne. The other basic players: Fornes, Polak, Cox, Bartos, Vanker and libero Currie.
No changes at Roeselare compared to Thursday. Van Elsen, who had to go to the bench early, has regained his confidence. Knack’s basic team: D’Hulst, Coolman, Plaskie, Verhanneman, Van Elsen, Rotty and libero Deroey.
The teams for the fifth and decisive final
Both teams have started warming up. Another half hour until the start of the match.
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