Volleybond forgets to check the box when registering for the Nations League: Tuinstra is not allowed to participate

NOS Sports•today, 3:59 PM

Bennie Tuinstra cannot participate in the Nations League this year due to an error by the volleyball association. Due to a forgotten check mark, the international, who has become an important player for the Dutch team in recent years, is not eligible to play.

The Nations League, which lasts from May 22 to June 24, is of great importance for the volleyball players this season. It is the last tournament where points can still be scored for the world rankings. After the Nations League, Olympic tickets for Paris 2024 will be distributed based on the rankings.

Thirty players can be registered for the Nations League. Tuinstra’s required documents were uploaded, but the box behind his name later turned out not to have been checked. As a result, only 29 players from the selection of national coach Roberto Piazza were registered.

Unfortunately, attempts to rectify this have come to nothing. If the Netherlands qualifies for Paris, the 23-year-old international could possibly be included in the Olympic selection.

Tuinstra is devastated by the news that he will have to miss the tournament. “I am extremely disappointed about what happened. You spend a whole year trying to get better, because you have one goal in mind with the team, to reach the Olympic Games. That is a long process and that is where we are now close. When you hear that you cannot contribute to this now, your stomach turns.”

Herman Meppelink, technical director of the volleyball association, says he thinks it’s terrible for Tuinstra. “It is tragic that this happens to a player of the team. We feel sorry for Bennie, who always commits himself unconditionally to the team and I also find it very annoying for the staff and the team, but unfortunately it has proven to be irreversible.”