Samuel Fafchamps is a Belgian middle blocker who plays for VC Greenyard Maaseik and the Belgium men’s national team. Born on February 3, 2001, in Roccourt, he developed in Wallonia with VBC Saint-Joseph Welkenraedt and Waremme Volley before joining Maaseik in 2024. The 201 cm middle wears No. 2 for his club and No. 21 for Belgium.
Fafchamps has developed into a regular starter at both club and international level. He helped Maaseik win the 2025/26 Belgian championship and reach the CEV Cup semifinals, then scored 74 points for Belgium during the 2026 Volleyball Nations League. His current Maaseik contract was extended for two additional seasons during 2025/26, keeping him part of a club that returns to the CEV Champions League in 2026/27.
Player Information
| Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Samuel Fafchamps |
| Date of Birth | February 3, 2001 |
| Place of Birth | Roccourt, Belgium |
| Nationality | Belgian |
| Position | Middle Blocker |
| Height | 201 cm |
| Attack Reach | 345 cm |
| Block Reach | 321 cm |
| Dominant Hand | Right |
| Previous Clubs | VBC Saint-Joseph Welkenraedt, Waremme Volley |
| Current Club | VC Greenyard Maaseik |
| Club Number | 2 |
| National Team | Belgium Men’s National Volleyball Team |
| National-Team Number | 21 |
| Senior National Team | Since 2021 |
| Education | Physiotherapy, University of Liège |
Early Life & Volleyball Beginnings
Fafchamps was born in Roccourt, in the Liège area, and grew up in Welkenraedt near Eupen. He began playing volleyball at around eight years old with VBC Saint-Joseph Welkenraedt.
His early development remained in the French-speaking part of Belgium rather than taking him immediately into one of the country’s larger professional clubs. At 16, he moved to Waremme Volley, where he progressed from a teenage prospect into a senior middle blocker.
International opportunities arrived alongside that development. CEV records place Fafchamps in Belgium’s youth national-team system from the U17 level onward. He competed at the European U17 Championship, European U18 Championship and the 2019 European Youth Olympic Festival before moving into U20 competition.
The 2019 European Youth Olympic Festival in Baku produced one of the first significant medals of his career. Belgium reached the men’s final after defeating Russia in the semifinals before losing 3–1 to Italy, leaving Fafchamps and his teammates with silver.
Another medal followed at the 2020 CEV U20 European Championship. Belgium recovered from its semifinal defeat to Russia by beating Belarus 3–0 in the bronze-medal match. Fafchamps was listed as a 200 cm middle blocker on that team alongside players including Wout D’Heer.
Those youth tournaments gave him experience against high-level international opposition before he had fully established himself in Belgium’s senior club game.
Club Career
Developing at Waremme Volley
Waremme became the central club of Fafchamps’ early senior career.
He joined the organization as a teenager and gradually earned more responsibility in the middle. Belgian league records place him in Waremme’s first team across several seasons, while the club competed against Belgium’s established powers including Knack Roeselare and Maaseik.
The length of that development period mattered. Rather than moving immediately to a deeper roster where court time might have been limited, Fafchamps was able to accumulate regular senior experience while continuing to develop his quick attack, block timing and serve.
His service game became an increasingly visible part of his profile. When Maaseik later announced his signing, the club specifically highlighted his heavy serve and recalled that he had recently scored three aces against them.
Waremme also allowed Fafchamps to continue his education alongside volleyball. During his final season there, he was completing physiotherapy studies at the University of Liège.
By 2024, the combination of domestic experience, national-team exposure and physical development had made him ready for a larger club role.
Joining VC Greenyard Maaseik
Greenyard Maaseik announced Fafchamps in 2024 as one of the club’s new Belgian additions. He arrived together with Pierre Perin, another player moving from Waremme.
The transfer represented a major step in competitive expectations. Maaseik is historically one of Belgium’s leading clubs and regularly competes in European tournaments, meaning Fafchamps would now be expected to contribute in domestic title races as well as continental competition.
His first season was partly an adjustment year.
Maaseik later described Fafchamps as having spent much of 2024/25 as the third middle blocker behind Miguel Ángel Fornés and Alex Saaremaa. He remained part of the rotation but had to compete for court time within a deeper roster than he had known at Waremme.
Even in that role, the move expanded his European experience. CEV listed Fafchamps as No. 2 for Maaseik in continental competition, beginning what has become a multi-season European club record.
Becoming a Starter in 2025/26
The situation changed substantially in Fafchamps’ second season.
Under head coach Paweł Woicki, he became a regular starter and developed a productive connection with Argentine setter Juan Ignacio Finoli.
That relationship allowed Maaseik to use Fafchamps more consistently in the first tempo. His impact was not limited to attack, however. Serving and blocking became important parts of a team that improved as the season progressed.
The 2025/26 CEV Cup provided several examples.
Against Galatasaray in the quarterfinal round, Maaseik followed a 3–2 victory in Istanbul with a 3–1 home win to advance to the semifinals. Fafchamps scored nine points in the return match, including three aces and three blocks.
The result sent Maaseik to the CEV Cup semifinals for the first time since 2021.
SVG Lüneburg stopped the Belgian club one round later. Maaseik lost the first leg 3–1 at home and then pushed the return match in Germany to five sets before Lüneburg completed the semifinal victory.
Although the European campaign ended short of the final, it gave Fafchamps a much larger continental role than he had carried during his first year with Maaseik.
Winning the 2026 Belgian Championship
The domestic season ended with an even larger result.
Maaseik reached the Belgian championship final against Knack Volley Roeselare, the club that had dominated the league in the preceding years.
Maaseik won the opening match in Roeselare 3–1 and followed with a 3–0 victory at home. Knack kept the series alive by taking Game 3 in five sets, but Maaseik returned to the Steengoed Arena on May 12 with another opportunity to close the championship.
Fafchamps remained in the starting lineup for the deciding match.
Maaseik won 3–1 to secure its 17th Belgian championship and its first national title since 2019. Fafchamps scored nine points in the victory and contributed from both the service line and the block as Maaseik ended Roeselare’s five-year run as champion.
The title became the first Belgian championship of his senior career.
Maaseik had also reached the Belgian Cup final earlier in the spring, losing a five-set match to Decospan Menen.
Contract Extension and 2026/27
Fafchamps’ increased role led directly to a longer stay in Maaseik.
During the 2025/26 season, the club announced that he had signed a new two-year contract. In the official renewal announcement, Maaseik described him as a permanent member of the starting lineup and an example of its strategy of developing young Belgian players toward European-level volleyball.
The extension keeps him with the reigning Belgian champion for 2026/27 and beyond.
Maaseik enters the new season back in the CEV Champions League after earning Belgium’s place in the competition through its domestic championship.
Fafchamps remains No. 2 in the club’s current first-team roster.
Club Career Timeline
| Seasons | Team | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Youth–2017 | VBC Saint-Joseph Welkenraedt | Belgium |
| 2017–2024 | Waremme Volley | Belgium |
| 2024/25–present | VC Greenyard Maaseik | Belgium |
National Team Career
Fafchamps’ senior international record developed from the same Belgian generation that produced players such as Wout D’Heer, Seppe Rotty and Ferre Reggers.
CEV competition history lists him with Belgium at EuroVolley 2021, giving him senior national-team involvement while he was still playing for Waremme.
He remained connected to the Red Dragons program during the following seasons, including the EuroVolley 2023 cycle, while competing for minutes in a middle-blocker group that contained more established players.
His role grew more substantially later in the decade.
2025 World Championship
Fafchamps was selected as No. 21 for Belgium at the 2025 FIVB Men’s World Championship in the Philippines.
The Red Dragons opened the tournament with a straight-set victory over Ukraine and then produced one of the most important results in recent Belgian volleyball history by defeating defending world champions Italy in five sets.
Belgium completed the pool stage undefeated and advanced as group winner.
A 3–0 victory over Finland in the round of 16 sent Belgium to the World Championship quarterfinals for the first time in 55 years.
Italy won the rematch in the last eight, but Belgium finished seventh overall.
Fafchamps was part of a middle-blocker group that also included Wout D’Heer and Pieter Coolman. His role varied by match, but the tournament established him within a Belgian squad capable of reaching the knockout stages of a major global championship.
Regular Role in the 2026 Volleyball Nations League
Belgium’s return to the Volleyball Nations League in 2026 gave Fafchamps a much larger individual workload.
He appeared in all 12 preliminary-round matches and scored 74 points. Volleyball World credited him with 52 attack points, 18 blocks and four aces.
For a middle blocker, the distribution is significant. Nearly a quarter of his VNL scoring came directly from blocks, while his attacking efficiency was listed at 56.52%.
His strongest early match came against Serbia on June 12. Fafchamps scored 11 points, including nine successful attacks and two blocks.
Against China on June 25, he added 10 points from eight attacks and two blocks as Belgium earned an important victory.
After the match, Fafchamps emphasized the importance of collecting ranking points during Belgium’s first VNL campaign and praised opposite Ferre Reggers after Reggers’ 38-point performance.
Another useful blocking performance came in Belgium’s final preliminary match against Canada. Fafchamps scored eight points, four of them from blocks.
Across the competition, the numbers reinforced his value as a middle who could contribute in all three scoring phases rather than functioning only as a first-tempo attacker.
EuroVolley 2026
Fafchamps retained his No. 21 jersey for EuroVolley 2026.
Belgium competed in Pool C in Tampere and used Fafchamps regularly during the group stage. The Red Dragons finished first in the pool and advanced to the knockout rounds in Turin.
The round-of-16 match against Czechia became one of his strongest performances of the tournament.
Belgium lost the opening set but recovered to win 3–1. Fafchamps finished with eight points, including four blocks and two aces. CEV’s match statistics listed him among the match leaders in both serving and blocking.
The victory sent Belgium to its first European Championship quarterfinal since 2017.
Slovenia won the quarterfinal 3–1 on September 23. Fafchamps was used from the bench during the match as Belgium rotated among its middle blockers.
The result completed a two-year stretch in which Belgium reached the quarterfinals of both the 2025 World Championship and EuroVolley 2026.
Playing Style & Strengths
Fafchamps is a middle blocker whose value comes from a combination of first-tempo attacking, blocking and service pressure.
The serve has been part of his profile since his Waremme years. Maaseik specifically mentioned his heavy serve when announcing his transfer, and his later European performances showed that it could remain an offensive weapon even after moving to a higher-level club.
Against Galatasaray in March 2026, three of his nine points came directly from aces. Maaseik match reports throughout the season also repeatedly identified his serve as a way of disrupting opposing reception.
That matters tactically because middle blockers do not usually receive enough attacking volume to dominate scoring totals. A middle who can add direct service points and create poor first contacts can influence rotations even before moving to the net.
Blocking is the other clear strength.
Fafchamps recorded 18 kill blocks during the 2026 VNL. His four-block performance against Canada and four blocks in Belgium’s EuroVolley round-of-16 victory over Czechia showed that the production was not confined to domestic competition.
At 201 cm, he is not unusually tall by elite international middle-blocker standards, so timing and reading are important parts of his net defence. His listed 321 cm block reach gives him the physical range to compete, but closing speed and positioning determine whether that reach translates into points against international attackers.
His attacking role is based primarily on quick combinations through the middle.
The connection with Juan Ignacio Finoli became particularly important during his second Maaseik season. The club credited their understanding as one reason Fafchamps established himself in the starting lineup.
His VNL numbers provide another useful measure. Fafchamps converted enough first-tempo opportunities to finish with 52 attack points at 56.52% efficiency across 12 matches.
That makes his current profile relatively balanced for the position: efficient enough as a quick attacker to remain a genuine option for the setter, productive at the block and capable of creating direct pressure from the service line.
Major Achievements
Selected National Team Honors
| Year | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | European Youth Olympic Festival | Silver medal |
| 2020 | CEV U20 European Championship | Bronze medal |
| 2025 | FIVB Men’s World Championship | Quarterfinalist / 7th place |
| 2026 | CEV European Championship | Quarterfinalist |
Selected Club Honors
| Season | Competition | Result | Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025/26 | Belgian Championship | Champion | VC Greenyard Maaseik |
| 2025/26 | Belgian Cup | Runner-up | VC Greenyard Maaseik |
| 2025/26 | CEV Cup | Semifinalist | VC Greenyard Maaseik |
Education & Life Away from Volleyball
Fafchamps combined his early professional volleyball career with university study.
While playing for Waremme, he studied physiotherapy at the University of Liège. When Maaseik announced his transfer in 2024, the club said he was approaching completion of his master’s degree.
By the time Maaseik announced his contract extension during the 2025/26 season, the club described Fafchamps as a qualified physiotherapist.
Completing the degree also changed the structure of his volleyball career. His move to Maaseik allowed him to focus on the sport full-time rather than continuing to divide his schedule between university studies and top-level training.
The educational background is particularly relevant to an athlete whose professional work depends heavily on movement, strength and physical preparation, although Fafchamps has continued to pursue volleyball rather than moving directly into clinical practice.
Where Is Samuel Fafchamps Playing Now?
Samuel Fafchamps plays for VC Greenyard Maaseik in the 2026/27 season.
He remains No. 2 in the club’s current roster and enters the campaign as a Belgian champion after Maaseik’s 2025/26 title.
His status is more established than when he first arrived from Waremme two years earlier. During his first Maaseik season he spent substantial time behind other middle blockers; by 2025/26 he had become a regular starter and earned a new two-year contract.
The new campaign also returns Maaseik to the CEV Champions League. As Belgian champion, the club has a place in the 2026/27 group stage and will again face opponents from Europe’s strongest leagues.
Fafchamps comes into the club season after another long international summer with Belgium. He played throughout the VNL preliminary phase and remained with the Red Dragons through their EuroVolley quarterfinal on September 23.
Recent Performance Snapshot
| Date / Competition | Performance / Milestone |
|---|---|
| March 11, 2026 — CEV Cup vs. Galatasaray | 9 points, including 3 aces and 3 blocks, as Maaseik reached the semifinals |
| May 12, 2026 — Belgian Championship Final | 9 points in Maaseik’s 3–1 title-clinching victory over Knack Roeselare |
| June 12, 2026 — VNL vs. Serbia | 11 points: 9 attacks and 2 blocks |
| June 25, 2026 — VNL vs. China | 10 points: 8 attacks and 2 blocks |
| July 19, 2026 — VNL vs. Canada | 8 points, including 4 blocks |
| 2026 VNL | 74 points: 52 attacks, 18 blocks and 4 aces across 12 matches |
| September 21, 2026 — EuroVolley Round of 16 vs. Czechia | 8 points, including 4 blocks and 2 aces, in Belgium’s 3–1 victory |
| September 2026 | Helped Belgium reach the EuroVolley quarterfinals before returning to Maaseik for 2026/27 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Samuel Fafchamps?
VC Greenyard Maaseik, CEV and Topvolley Belgium list Fafchamps at 201 cm. Volleyball World currently uses 202 cm in its international competition database.
What position does Samuel Fafchamps play?
Fafchamps is a middle blocker. His main responsibilities are quick attacking through the middle, blocking and applying service pressure.
Which club does Samuel Fafchamps play for?
Fafchamps plays for VC Greenyard Maaseik in Belgium. He joined the club from Waremme Volley in 2024 and later signed a two-year extension during the 2025/26 season.
What number does Samuel Fafchamps wear?
Fafchamps wears No. 2 for VC Greenyard Maaseik and No. 21 for the Belgium men’s national team.
Where did Samuel Fafchamps start playing volleyball?
He began playing at VBC Saint-Joseph Welkenraedt at around eight years old before moving to Waremme Volley as a teenager.
What did Samuel Fafchamps win with Maaseik?
Fafchamps won the 2025/26 Belgian championship with Greenyard Maaseik. The same season, the club finished runner-up in the Belgian Cup and reached the semifinals of the CEV Cup.
How did Samuel Fafchamps perform in the 2026 VNL?
He scored 74 points in 12 matches: 52 in attack, 18 from blocks and four from serves. Volleyball World recorded his attacking efficiency at 56.52%.
What did Samuel Fafchamps study?
Fafchamps studied physiotherapy at the University of Liège and had completed his qualification by the time Maaseik announced his contract extension during the 2025/26 season.
References
- VC Greenyard Maaseik — Samuel Fafchamps current player profile and 2026/27 roster
- VC Greenyard Maaseik — Samuel Fafchamps joins Maaseik from Waremme
- VC Greenyard Maaseik — Samuel Fafchamps signs a new two-year contract
- Topvolley Belgium — Samuel Fafchamps Red Dragons player profile
- CEV — Samuel Fafchamps club and national-team competition history
- CEV — Belgium U20 roster at the 2020 European Championship
- CEV — Belgium win bronze at the 2020 U20 European Championship
- CEV — Belgium win silver at the 2019 European Youth Olympic Festival
- Volleyball World — Samuel Fafchamps VNL 2026 player profile and statistics
- Volleyball World — Belgium 2025 Men’s World Championship roster
- CEV — Greenyard Maaseik reach the 2026 CEV Cup semifinals
- CEV — Belgium vs. Czechia, EuroVolley 2026 round-of-16 match statistics
- CEV — Belgium vs. Slovenia, EuroVolley 2026 quarterfinal match statistics
- VC Greenyard Maaseik — Maaseik win the 2026 Belgian championship