Red Sharks U18 on training camp in Lithuania

Training camp summary of the Belgian U18 ‘Red Sharks’ water polo team in Lithuania

 

As part of their preparations for the European Junior Championships, the Belgian U18 team (aka ‘Red Sharks’) completed an intensive training camp in Vilnius (Lithuania). This training camp, which took place from 28 July to 4 August, focused on further developing the technical and tactical skills of the players and strengthening team dynamics. The swimming pool was not too far from the accommodation, which was great for having a good balance between sport and rest.

 

During the training camp, a total of 18 training sessions were organised, along with complementary stabilisation training. These training sessions focused on physical conditioning as well as technical and tactical skills. In addition, six friendly matches were played against the Lithuanian U18 national water polo team, giving the players the opportunity to put the tactics they had learned into practice and gain experience in a competitive environment at their level. The ‘Red Sharks’ won four sessions, lost one and drew one. Each of these games were very close, which is very valuable considering that the Lithuanian U18 team will also participate in the EJC but in a different group.

 

An important part of the training camp was practising tactics. The coaches and players worked intensively on implementing and perfecting various game systems. Discussions were also held using video footage to study progress. This allowed the players to gain insight into each other's strengths and weaknesses and further fine-tune their tactics. This visual feedback was extremely valuable for both players and coaches, as it provided insight into the functioning of the team and individual performances.

 

In addition to the technical and tactical preparation, the atmosphere within the team was excellent. The good relationship between the players (who, of course, all come from different clubs and include both Dutch and French-speaking players) and positive team spirit contributed to a motivating and productive training camp, enabling the players to get the best out of themselves. The time spent together in Lithuania strengthened the team bond and provided a good foundation for the upcoming EJC. The hotel where the ‘Red Sharks’ stayed was excellent and generous meals were provided, occasionally featuring local specialities. The weather gods were a little less kind to them with bad weather, but the training camp was still able to end with some sunshine and a visit to the centre of Vilnius and the beach.

 

The training camp in Lithuania was a valuable experience for the Belgian U18 team and one worth repeating. The combination of intensive training sessions, practice matches, tactical preparation and a good atmosphere has prepared the team for the challenges that lie ahead.

With this solid foundation, the team is looking forward to the upcoming matches and EJC, ready to continue to grow with confidence and commitment.