Sven Vanthourenhout went all or nothing with the selection for the home
European Championships. Belgian fans - still vividly remembering the failed World Championships in Leuven 2021 were afraid the scenario might repeat with too many leaders in the basket. But the Belgian coach's gamble had paid off as it is Tim Merlier who crossed the line first in Hasselt.
Vanthourenhout admits bringing both Tim Merlier and Jasper Philipsen was a huge gamble, but a well-calculated one - he assures in an interview for
Belgian media after the race. "You know that winning and losing are close together when you go into a final like that. But I really knew what I was doing. And I stood behind my choice 100% until the very last moment. The right one, as it turned out."