29/01/2018 09:34
Red Dragon Van den Dries looks forward to CL debut with Spacer’s TOULOUSE
2018 CEV Volleyball Champions League - Men
Luxembourg, January 29, 2018. After spending the early stages of the 2017-2018 season in Korea, Bram Van den Dries has returned to Spacer’s TOULOUSE – with whom last year he achieved a remarkable feat, becoming the top scorer and best spiker of the French national league. Van den Dries is back in Toulouse and steps in for Andres Villena, who has been dealing with a knee injury since December. On Tuesday, the Belgian opposite hitter will take to the court in the CEV Volleyball Champions League as the French rookies host Germany’s reigning national champions BERLIN Recycling Volleys in Pool D.
“My time in Korea was a fabulous experience,” Van den Dries says. “You play two to three matches a week there and the rhythm is very challenging and demanding. Actually, you spend the whole day with the team going to the training centre at 9.30 in the morning and leaving at 8.00 in the evening. The day is filled with training sessions and video scouting and you take lunch there with the team. My daily routine consisted of Volleyball, eating and sleeping. I especially loved the matches; we played in big stadiums with lots of fans. This was a great experience on its own.”
Back from Korea, Van den Dries had a number of options to choose from for the remainder of the season. “I am extremely happy with my return to Toulouse. Last year, we had an excellent season with this team and I still have a very good relation with many of the players and with the management of the club as well. I love the city too. There have been Italian, Greek and Polish clubs coming forward with their offers but money is not everything in life. My wife is pregnant, she speaks French and it is better for her as well to come back to Toulouse.”
The Spacer’s are making their debut this year in the CEV Volleyball Champions League and this definitely was a factor in Van de Dries’s comeback as well. “Obviously, this is something that influenced my decision,” Bram continues. “It is the first time in my career that I will be playing in the Champions League. On top of this, with JASTRZEBSKI Wegiel, the BR Volleys and Zenit KAZAN in our pool, we will be playing three good opponents. I expect many fans to come and follow our matches as well – as they did last season. Every match is important, so they should come out and support us in every occasion.”
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