RIGHT BACKS OF RED WOLVES

Sunday, the last day of rest for our Red Wolves.

Today we introduce the right backs.  Let’s introduce Raphael Kötters who, like some other Belgians, has opted for a professional life in France. Kötters plays at Istres Provence Handball. The second right back is Kobe Serras playing at Bevo. Serras is a killer on the right back. It’s very hard to stop him. The third right back is Serge Spooren, several times voted Player of the Year in Belgium. Beside his speed, Spooren has a scorching shot. ‘Hammer to fall’ by Queen was undoubtedly inspired by him.

    PIVOTS OF RED WOLVES

    It is Saturday 7 January, the day the Red Wolves return home.  Tomorrow they will enjoy a rest day before starting the final straight towards Malmö from Monday.

    Today we introduce the pivots and so we have two.  Yves ‘Beef’ Vancosen always leads the way and does so with dedication.  Defensively, he is a wall, offensively a battering ram who can strike out with frightening force.  Yves Vancosen plays at HC Visé BM. Simon Ooms‘ roots are, like those of Tom Robyns and Jef Lettens, with the former club Initia Hasselt. And like his two friends, he left Limburg for a professional career in France some time ago. He currently plays at US Ivry. After some injury problems, Simon is fully back and ready for the Red Wolves’ first World Cup.

    CENTER BACKS OF RED WOLVES

    Today is already the third and final day for the Red Wolves in Poland. Tonight they play against Poland.  After Morocco and Iran, this will be a real test for the Red Wolves.

    Today we introduce the Centre backs to you starting with Arber Qerimi who is all the way back.  Qerimi has grinta and never gives up. He is the type of player you would rather not play against. Bartosz Kedziora, in turn, is an opposite of Qerimi. The Eupen player is calm but no less ambitious. Robbe Spooren is part of the new young and promising generation like Braun, Kotters, Sera’s, Brixhe and Vanhove. In his team Pelt, “Under the umbrella of internationally well respected Bartoz Könitz,” he manage to take successfully the Center back position of a top BENE-League team. Consequently, he caught the eye of Yérime Sylla. Finally, there is Tom Robyns. Tom is one of the pivotal figures of the Red Wolves. As captain, he takes the Red Wolves in tow and drags them through everything. Tom has been a professional in France for several years and currently plays at Saran Loiret HB.

    BELGIUM 30 – 28 MOROCCO

    The Red Wolves successfully completed their first preparation match ahead of the World Cup on Wednesday night. Belgium beat Morocco 30 – 28. Halfway through the first half it was 8 – 6 in favour of the Belgians but then ten lesser minutes followed, Morocco came on and went into the break with a small lead. Halfway through the game, it was 12 – 16.

    In a better second half, the Belgians reversed their deficit and were able to distance themselves at the end from Morocco who were not as strong physically as the Red Wolves. Yérime Sylla gave each Red Wolve the necessary playing minutes. Nick Braun was voted MVP.

    On Thursday, the Belgians play Iran who lost 32 – 26 to Poland.

    LEFT WINGS OF RED WOLVES

    Today is the second day of the Red Wolves in Poland. Yesterday, the Belgians played against Morocco. Tonight, they take on Iran.  Like yesterday, we also introduce some players today.

    On the Left wing we have Nick Braun, player of HSG Krefeld Niederrhein in Germany. Nick is one of the native German speaking players in our selection. He decided to hunt for his handball dream and left Belgium early for his German club in Krefeld. On the same position we have Yannick Glorieux, who switched Sezoens Achilles Bocholt for French Villeurbanne Handball in the off-season. For the young ambitious player from Tongeren, it was a logical step in his career.