Dutch men start new era under Banks with 31 players selected

Recently-appointed head coach Joel Banks started to shape the future of the Dutch volleyball men’s national team by releasing the list of 31 players that will represent the country in the tournaments held in the 2025 international season.

The Europeans are currently in 13^th place in the FIVB World Rankings and will try to gain spots during the Volleyball Nations League and the FIVB World Championship in 2025.

• Watch the 2025 Volleybal Nations League live on VBTV

A few days before the list was released, outside hitters Robbert Andringa and Maarten van Garderen and opposite Wouter Ter Maat, who had been with the team for over a decade, announced the end of their international careers. Without them, Banks will rely on star opposite Nimir Abdel-Aziz, outside hitters Bennie Tuinstra and Thijs Ter Horst and middle blockers Michael Parkinson and Fabian Plak to form the core of the team in 2025.

From the 31 players called up, 22 were part of the Dutch squad in the VNL 2024, but according to the English coach, the goal this season is to give younger players as much playing time as possible and start to shape the team that will try to qualify for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics in a couple of years.

“I’m very intrigued about the level of talent in the squad,” Banks said. “After the international retirements recently announced, it became even clearer that we’re starting a new phase. Building a new team is one of the most important tasks I’m looking forward to tackling this summer, and I’m sure that the new faces of the team will emerge. We’re also planning to give some of the more experienced players some time off this summer, so they won't be with us the entire time, and that will make room for the younger players to show themselves.”

Banks, who replaced Italian Roberto Piazza and has coached the national teams of the United Kingdom and Finland in the past, will start working with the players in May, in Papendal. The Dutch have two exhibition matches against Türkiye set to take place on May 24 and 25.

VNL debut in China

After completing their preparation at home, the Dutch will head to Xi’an, China, where they will start their VNL campaign with matches against Poland, Türkiye, the host country and Japan from June 11-15.

In the World Championship, set to take place from September 12-28, in the Philippines, the Netherlands are part of Pool B alongside Poland, Qatar and Romania.

The Netherlands men’s national team roster (subject to eligibility check to be conducted by the FIVB):

Setters: Freek De Weijer, Gijs Van Solkema, Joris Berkhout, Markus Held, Sil Meijs, Wessel Keemink
Opposites: Kian Macnack, Michiel Ahyi, Nimir Abdel-Aziz, Sjors Tijhuis
Outside hitters: Bennie Tuinstra, Gijs Jorna, Jasper Wijkstra, Luuk De Groot, Luuk Hoge Bavel, Ramon Martinez-Gion, Thijs Ter Horst, Tom Koops, Yannick Bak, Youri Ebbelaar
Middle blockers: Beau Wortelboer, Dion Verweij, Fabian Plak, Jelle Bosma, Luuc Van der Ent, Michael Parkinson, Siebe Korenblek, Twan Wiltenburg
Liberos: Ferdy Van Dijk, Jeffrey Klok, Niels Lipke

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