From mixed feelings to pure pride: this is how the coaches look back on the European Swimming Championships with 5 Belgian medals
The European championship in small pool has given the Belgians 5 medals, 10 finals and 8 national records. After six intensive and successful competition days, coaches Mark Faber and Erwin Vanspauwen take stock.
Coach Mark Faber looks back on the European Championships with “mixed feelings”. The tournament had highlights, but also setbacks.
The withdrawal of Roos Vanotterdijk due to illness overshadowed some of the performances. “There was a lot more to it,” Faber admits.
Vanotterdijk is now on the mend, but is visibly disappointed. “She knows there was more to it. That makes it a bit sour,” said Faber.
A bright spot was the breakthrough of Florine Gaspard, who won her first international medal in the 100 meter breaststroke. “She has been training in Antwerp since January and her progress is incredible. She radiates pleasure and is now swimming times that really count at world level,” says Faber proudly.
Young talents such as Noah Verreth and Noah De Schrijver also made an impression. “They learned here what it means to compete with the European top. That is a learning process that will make them stronger.”
After the European Championships, Faber and his swimmers will go to Australia for the prestigious “Goal of the Pool” event. “It is an honor that Florine and Roos can compete there. It shows that Belgian swimming counts,” said Faber.
The Australian trip will be followed by rest and preparation for the long track season, with next year’s European Championships in the 50-meter pool as the highlight.
“Fantastic”
Erwin Vanspauwen, trainer of the Walloon federation, looks back with satisfaction: “5 medals, 10 finals and 8 Belgian records with 7 swimmers: that is fantastic.”
Vanspauwen praises the performance of Vanotterdijk in the first days and of Gaspard and Henveaux at the end. Sarah Dumont and the young Simon Laviolette also made an appearance.
“Simon is only 17 and disappointed because he is not going fast enough, but he is on his way to becoming a great swimmer. It is a matter of learning to deal with setbacks.”
Two-time medalist Gaspard seems liberated after the Olympic Games. “She proves that she is mentally stronger than some thought. Now she is an example for the young people,” says Vanspauwen.
Despite limited swimming facilities in Wallonia, he sees talent emerging. “The results among the youth are steadily increasing. And the cooperation with Flanders is going excellently. Here we really stand as Team Belgium.”
| European Swimming Championships 2025 (25 meters): Belgian medals | ||
|---|---|---|
| medal | swimmer/swimmer | discipline |
| 🥈 | Roos Vanotterdijk | 50 meter butterfly |
| 🥈 | Roos Vanotterdijk | 100 meter individual medley |
| 🥈 | Lucas Henveaux | 800 meter freestyle |
| 🥈 | Florine Gaspard | 100 meter breaststroke |
| 🥉 | Florine Gaspard | 50 meter breaststroke |
The 5 medals equal the best result of the Belgians at a European Championship in a small pool. In 2015 they also swam to 5 pieces.
Pieter Timmers, Fanny Lecluyse and Glenn Surgeloose did it before Roos Vanotterdijk, Lucas Henveaux and Florine Gaspard.
Related:
Keep reading
