Axel Lambert: defender on grass, attacking threat on the sand

Trained as a defender, comfortable as a number six, and preferring an offensive role on the international sand. Axel Lambert combines game intelligence with explosiveness — and wants to keep growing among strong teammates and opponents.

Seeking out an opponent, winning a duel, creating space. Axel Lambert loves to take the initiative. But behind those attacking intentions lies a player who does not forget his defensive duties and wants to put his individual qualities at the service of the team.

His football story began at the age of four and a half, following in the footsteps of his big brother. Through Crossing Schaerbeek and Wijgmaal, he built up experience in field football. Beach soccer subsequently opened up another world: technically and tactically demanding, with international encounters and new opportunities to develop.

With the Belgian national team, he discovered the demands of the international level. At Union Vrede, he found a project that wants to move forward. In this interview, conducted before the World Winners Cup in Alanya, the 25-year-old talks about his journey, his versatility, and the conviction that a team only truly becomes difficult to beat when everyone works for each other.

1. Can you briefly introduce yourself and tell us something about Axel outside of football?

I am Axel, 25 years old. Outside of football, I enjoy a good atmosphere, enjoying life without worrying too much, and spending time with my loved ones.

2. How did your passion for football start? Which clubs have you played for on the big pitch and in which position do you play?

I started playing football when I was four and a half, thanks to my big brother, who was already playing. Since then, football has always been part of my life.

I played at Crossing Schaerbeek before moving to Flanders, to Wijgmaal, where I played in the second amateur division. Then I returned to Brussels to play in the first provincial division.

I was trained as a defender, but I also play as a number six.

3. How did you discover beach soccer and what gave you the urge to continue the adventure on the sand?

I discovered beach soccer thanks to Bryan Vungbo, with whom I played for five or six years at Espoir Club Bruxelles.

Mehdi and Niko from ECB also contributed a lot to my development in this discipline.

After our victory in the Belgian Cup in 2024, I felt that we had completed that phase and that it was good to take the next step.

It is a very different sport from field football, especially on a technical and tactical level. I never wanted to let go of this discipline, which is in full development. It remains fantastic to be able to travel thanks to sport and experience wonderful encounters.

4. Which qualities from field football help you the most in beach soccer? What did you have to learn or adapt when switching from grass to sand?

Field football helps me mainly through my game intelligence, my ability to keep the ball under pressure, and my understanding of the match rhythm.

On the sand, you do have to adapt. The movements are physically heavier, your footing is different, and you have to be able to play quickly in situations that are sometimes unpredictable. Aerial technique and ball control in the air are also much more important.

5. How would you describe your playing style in beach soccer and in which role do you feel most at ease?

I am an explosive player who likes to seek out his opponent, beat them, and make an individual difference, but always in the service of the collective. I also like to work defensively and do not spare my efforts.

I have always been quite versatile, but at the international level, I feel better in an attacking role.

©BelgiumBeachSoccer-CyrilKindt

6. You recently joined the Belgian national beach soccer team. How did you hear about your first selection and how did you react?

It is always a pleasure to be selected to represent your country. We waited a long time for the return of the Belgian national team to the sand and I think this has given Belgian beach soccer a new impulse.

It is a great opportunity for the discipline, but also for us as players to keep growing and represent Belgium internationally.

7. What did it mean to wear the Belgian shirt for the first time? What memories do you keep from your first experiences with the group?

Wearing the Belgian shirt and discovering this group was a very nice experience. I got to know an incredible group and I keep excellent memories of it.

I think especially of our victory after penalty kicks against England. Those are special moments that strengthen the bonds between players and make you want to experience such experiences even more.

8. What have those first international experiences taught you? Was there an opponent, match, or situation that particularly stayed with you?

Those first experiences introduced me to the very highest level and helped me better understand the demands of this sport. I got the chance to play with and against very good players. It is always a pleasure to learn from them and measure myself against them.

That motivates me to keep working and growing so I can compete with the best.

9. How do you organize your daily life to combine field football, beach soccer, and your private life?

That is not always easy, because both disciplines require a lot of energy and preparation. I try to get as much as possible out of the training sessions and matches while also paying attention to my recovery.

You also have to organize yourself around your work and private life. When an important competition approaches, I try to tackle my preparation as seriously as possible to start in the best possible conditions.

10. How did you end up at Union Vrede and what convinced you to commit to our project?

I got to know Union Vrede when they founded their team and we got to play against them in the championship.

Nikolay is doing a really good job with his team and invests enormously in the development of the project. For me, it is a great opportunity to grow further in beach soccer, gain new experiences, and share this adventure with a group that wants to take the next step.

11. Which moment with Union Vrede has stayed with you the most so far? Which quality of the group could be our strength in Alanya?

What I remember most is the chance to be part of this adventure and participate in such an important competition. Tournaments like this allow you to experience special moments and build strong bonds between players.

I think our solidarity can be a real strength in Alanya. If everyone is willing to work for their teammate, stay focused, and fight until the end, we can become a team that is difficult to play against.

12. What are your personal and collective ambitions for the World Winners Cup? Which part of your game do you want to develop further with Casper Dorph and your teammates?

As a team, we want to go as far as possible, match by match.

Personally, I want to keep working with a lot of commitment and give everything to be as decisive as possible, both attacking and defensively.

Working with Casper Dorph will be a great opportunity to gain experience and improve my understanding of the game. I want to get as much as possible out of this experience and learn as much as possible from him and my teammates.

13. What message do you want to convey to the supporters of Union Vrede and to footballers who are still hesitating to try beach soccer?

To the supporters of Union Vrede, I want to say that we will give everything to honor this shirt and make this tournament a turning point for the team.

To footballers who are still hesitating to try beach soccer, I would say that there is no better preparation to start the resumption fit! It is a demanding discipline, but also an excellent way to make technical and physical progress while having fun.

For Axel, initiative and commitment go hand in hand. Beating an opponent, chipping in defensively, continuing to learn: different ways to serve the same goal — making the team stronger.