Netherlands Men's Team Preview [Nations League 2022]

Registered members (1st week)

*2 Wessel Keminck 1993 198 S Karlovalsko (Czech Republic)
*3 Maarten Van Halderen 1990 200 OH Modena (Italy)
*4 Thays Terhorst 1991 205 OH Suwon (Korea)
*5 Luke Vanderend 1998 208 MB Düren (Germany)
*7 Seis Jorna 1989 197 OH/L Toulouse (France)
*8 Fabien Prak 1997 197 MB Chaumont (France)
*9 Steven Ottevanger 1995 181 L Groningen
10. Stein Van Tilber 1996 200 OP Hellsing (Germany)
12 Benny Townstra 2000 195 OH Ziraat Bankasi (Türkiye)
14 Nimir Abdelaziz 1992 202 OP Halkbank (Türkiye) (C)
15. Seyss Vansolkema 1998 193 S Kladno (Czech Republic)
17 Michael Parkinson 1991 203 MB Radom (Poland)
18 Robert Andringa 1990 192 OH Olsztyn (Poland)
22 Zwan Wildeburg 1997 204 MB Cisterna (Italy)

Director: Roberto Piazza (Italy)

Projected starting lineup

S Kaeminck, OH Townstra, MB Plak, OP Nimir, OH van Halderen, MB Parkinson, L Jorna

Average height (excluding libero): 199.2cm

The Netherlands has one of the world's best opposites, the gunner Nimir.

However, because of this, their reliance on Nimir is a weakness. The key to victory will be how well they can score with players other than Nimir.

Japan managed to win last year's Nations League after a five-set defeat, so we can expect another close match this year.

The manager is the well-known Piazza, who is the manager of Milan, where Yuki Ishikawa plays. His passionate performance from the bench (lol) is also something to look out for!

Featured Players

OP Nimir Abdelaziz

The focus is definitely on this person.

He played for Modena in Italy in the 2021-22 season, ultimately finishing second in the best scorer category in the entire league.

His weapons are his high jumps and long limbs, which allow him to deliver high, sharp spikes and serves. His serves in particular are so powerful that once they get going, they are impossible to stop, so it will be important to apply pressure from the beginning and prevent him from serving comfortably.

Nimir is also the team captain and spiritual leader, so if we can put him under pressure, we will be much more likely to win.

Japan's two overhands, Ishikawa and Takahashi Ai, have already experienced his serve in the Italian league last season, so I think that will be a great advantage for them.

It will be an exciting match to see whether Nimir's offensive power or Japan's defensive power will prevail.

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Photo: FIVB