Top scorer in Casablanca, nominated for the Beach Soccer Stars, and international for Belgium. At eighteen years old, Dorian Tilly has already experienced remarkable moments. Yet he mainly looks at what he can still learn.

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It started as an addition to regular football. A friend suggested trying beach soccer, simply during the football break. But through David Mames's academy, the Belgian championship, and the national team, it grew into an adventure with increasingly greater challenges.

In 2024, Dorian became top scorer of the Casablanca Beach Soccer Cup. This was followed by a nomination for the best male player at the Beach Soccer Stars 2024, among established names in the sport. It surprised him, made him proud, and above all gave him the urge to work harder.

Behind those international experiences is also a student. Dorian is taking his first year of e-business at EPHEC and plays field football for Lasne-Ohain. His days require planning, and his family plays an important role. His father drives him to training sessions and helps him to be able to participate in tournaments.

At Union Vrede he finds opportunities to gain international experience. In Alanya he wants to use his speed and endurance for the team, but also learn from Casper Dorph and his teammates.

His dream for later? Playing more foreign tournaments and championships, to be able to measure himself against the best one day.

Meet a young player who is proud of what he has already achieved while well knowing how much there is still to discover.

1. Can you briefly introduce yourself and tell us something about Dorian off the pitch?

My name is Dorian Tilly, I am 18 years old, play football for Lasne-Ohain, and am in my first year of e-business at EPHEC. Off the pitch I like playing video games, watching football and beach soccer, and I also just like being quiet at home. I am not someone who particularly likes going out. I prefer enjoying simple things.

2. How did you discover beach soccer and when did you realize that this sport would get an important place in your life?

First a friend suggested trying it at Newteam, but they stopped shortly after. That is why I went to David Mames's academy. Initially I only wanted to play beach soccer as an addition to football during the break. Then David suggested participating in the Belgian championship, and after that came the national team. That is when I realized I would have to do more to keep getting such opportunities.

3. Which teams have you played for and who has contributed most to your development?

I did a few training sessions with the youth of Newteam before going to David Mames's academy. In the senior championship I played for Genappe for two years and for Brussels Football this year. I also play for Union Vrede, which has allowed me to gain more experience at international tournaments.

The people who have helped me most are David Mames, who taught me the love for this sport and all the basic skills, and Tanguy Hanon, who keeps encouraging me to get better and learn new things.

4. How would you describe your playing style? What is your greatest quality and what do you still want to improve?

I see myself as a winger. Among other things, I want to get better at beating my opponent one-on-one so I can put the ball on my left foot and shoot. My greatest qualities are my endurance and speed. I still need to improve my right foot and my aerial play.

5. You became top scorer of the Casablanca Beach Soccer Cup 2024. How did you experience that tournament and what did that award mean to you?

I was already very happy that I was allowed to participate in that tournament, but becoming top scorer was a bonus that made the experience incredible. I hadn't expected to score so many goals, so that was truly special.

6. You were among the nominees for best male player at the Beach Soccer Stars 2024, alongside big names from the sport. How did you hear the news and what was your first reaction?

At first I was very surprised. I hadn't expected it at all. Being nominated alongside big names from beach soccer was incredible. Afterwards I felt a lot of pride because I was placed in that category, especially at my age.

7. What has that recognition changed for you? Did it give you more confidence, motivation, or new expectations for yourself?

That recognition made me want to do more. I thought that with training I could achieve great things in beach soccer. It also made me curious about how far I could get by continuing to work and progress.

8. What does it mean to wear the shirt of Belgium at such a young age? Which moment with the national team has touched you the most?

Wearing your country's shirt makes you immensely proud. Realizing that you are representing an entire country is incredible. I have already experienced wonderful moments with the national team and was able to play against big European countries like Spain, Italy, and Belarus. I also participated in the World Cup qualifiers, which is an incredible experience. But if I have to choose one special moment, becoming top scorer in 2024 probably remains my best memory.

©BelgiumBeachSoccer-CyrilKindt

9. How do you prepare to play with confidence when facing older and more experienced players?

While playing I don't really think about the age of the others. I try to do my best and show that being young is not a problem. Afterwards I take their advice on board to continue growing.

10. Which beach soccer player do you admire and what do you try to learn by watching him?

I don't really have one favorite player, but admire several. I find the Martins brothers very good because of their explosiveness. I also appreciate Catarino for his ease on the sand and his shooting power. More generally I admire the Brazilian players, who move on the sand with a dazzling ease. The way they lift the ball, move forward, easily execute bicycle kicks or play along the ground: it looks like they are playing on grass. I would like to develop the same ease on the sand and technically make the difference more often.

11. How do you combine your studies, training sessions, and international trips? What role do your family and loved ones play?

With the football and beach soccer training sessions I don't have much time. So as soon as I have free time, I try to study a bit. For tournaments it is even harder, because we are not recognized. I try to be absent from school as little as possible. Fortunately, the World Winners Cup in Alanya falls during the holidays, but as long as our sport is not recognized, I won't be able to participate in all tournaments.

My loved ones support me enormously. As long as I don't have a driver's license, my father drives me to every training session. He also helps me financially to be able to participate in tournaments. Their support means a lot to me and makes it possible to keep committing myself to this sport.

12. How did you end up at Union Vrede and what memories do you have of your first tournaments with the club?

I ended up at Union Vrede through chairman Nikolay and Tanguy. They asked me to help build a good Belgian team. I really enjoyed my first experiences. I was able to participate in nice tournaments and play together with good players. Because of that I also gained more international experience.

13. What are your personal and collective ambitions for the World Winners Cup in Alanya? What do you want to show and learn from Casper Dorph and your teammates?

I mainly hope to do my best and show my highest level, because I get the opportunity to work with exceptional players and a great coach. I want to contribute my qualities, especially my endurance and speed, but above all learn from these people and keep growing. I hope we can achieve good results together and make everyone who supports us proud.

14. Which dream do you want to realize in beach soccer in the coming years? And what message do you have for the supporters of Union Vrede and youngsters who want to follow your example?

As soon as I have finished my studies, I hope to be able to participate in more foreign tournaments and championships, so that I can measure myself against the best one day.

I hope the supporters of Union Vrede will cheer us on in Alanya and that we can achieve good results for everyone who stands behind us.

To youngsters who want to do the same: come and try beach soccer! It is an incredible sport, but in Belgium there are still too many few players. The more youngsters start with it, the longer we will be able to keep practicing this sport.