Belladonna

Belladonna is a Belgian-based women's professional paintball team competing in the European Women's National Xball League (WNXL). Founded in 2023 by German player Bibi Bender, the team is based at Breakout Arena in Sprimont, Belgium, and features players from several European countries.[1]

Belladonna won three consecutive WNXL Europe season championships from 2024 to 2026, following a second-place finish in its inaugural 2023 season. The team has also competed at the NXL World Cup in the United States.[2][3][4][5][6]

History

Formation and inaugural season (2023)

Belladonna was founded in 2023 by Bibi Bender, an experienced German tournament player who had previously competed with Drakaina.

Bender established the team following her participation in an early WNXL Europe event in January 2023. She selected Breakout Arena in Sprimont, Belgium, as the team's training base, working with the Breakout Spa organisation.

The original squad included 14 players from Germany, France, Belgium, the United Kingdom and Sweden. Quentin Duchene and Felix Müller were identified as the team's coaches.[1]

Belladonna made its first documented NXL tournament appearance at the 2023 Netherlands Invitational, winning the women's professional division after defeating Drakaina 3–2 in the final.

The team subsequently finished second at both the British Invitational and European Championships, placing second in the overall WNXL Europe season standings with 292 points, four behind Drakaina.[2][3]

In November 2023, Belladonna travelled to Florida to compete at the NXL World Cup, finishing sixth among twelve teams in the women's professional division.[2]

First European championship (2024)

Belladonna began the 2024 WNXL Europe season by winning the Portugal Invitational and British Invitational.

At the European Championships in Dreux, France, the team finished fourth among six competitors. Despite this result, its two earlier tournament victories secured the overall European season championship with 290 points, ahead of Drakaina on 285 and Karma on 282.[4]

The team continued training at Breakout Arena in Belgium and Paintball Solms in Germany under the guidance of Felix Müller.

Belladonna also competed at the 2024 NXL World Cup, finishing sixth among eleven teams.[2]

Consecutive championships (2025–2026)

Belladonna dominated the 2025 WNXL Europe season, winning all three championship events: the Portugal Invitational, Contenders Cup in the Czech Republic and European Championships in France.

The team completed the season with the maximum 300 championship points, ahead of Karma and Drakaina.[5]

In 2026, Belladonna won the Czech Cup before finishing second at both the British Invitational and European Championships.

These results secured a third consecutive WNXL Europe season championship, with 292 points ahead of Karma and Drakaina, who both finished on 279.[6]

Players and organisation

Belladonna operates as a multinational women's team registered in Belgium.

Founder Bibi Bender described the team's original purpose as creating opportunities for female players to participate in professional tournament paintball, regardless of their previous experience.[1]

Notable players associated with the team include Charlotte Morel, who has also competed in professional open-division paintball with Paris Camp Carnage.

Belladonna players Michele Fiegert, Charlotte Morel, Lea Götz, Virginie Mazurier, Dovile Jonikaite, Victoria Devillers and Samantha Negele were named among the WNXL Europe Summit Awards nominees published in 2026.

Coach Felix Müller was also nominated for the WNXL Europe Coach of the Year award.[9]

Belladonna Jayvees

Belladonna established a development squad known as Belladonna Jayvees to provide competitive opportunities for developing female players.

The team entered the WNXL three-player division at the 2024 European Championships, finishing fifth among five teams.

Belladonna Jayvees subsequently finished third at the 2025 European Championships and fourth at the 2026 event.[4][5][6][7]

Tournament results

WNXL Europe

Year	Tournament	Division	Position
2023	NXL Netherlands Invitational	WNXL Xball	1st of 3
2023	NXL British Invitational	WNXL Xball	2nd of 4
2023	NXL European Championships	WNXL Xball	2nd of 5
2024	NXL Portugal Invitational	WNXL Xball	1st of 4
2024	NXL British Invitational	WNXL Xball	1st of 3
2024	NXL European Championships	WNXL Xball	4th of 6
2025	NXL Portugal Invitational	WNXL Xball	1st of 3
2025	NXL Contenders Cup	WNXL Xball	1st of 3
2025	NXL European Championships	WNXL Xball	1st of 5
2026	NXL Czech Cup	WNXL Xball	1st of 4
2026	NXL British Invitational	WNXL Xball	2nd of 4
2026	NXL European Championships	WNXL Xball	2nd of 5

NXL World Cup

Year	Division	Position
2023	WNXL Professional	6th of 12
2024	WNXL Professional	6th of 11

Results are taken from official PBLeagues tournament records.[2]

European season standings

Season	Position	Championship points
2023	2nd	292
2024	1st	290
2025	1st	300
2026	1st	292

Belladonna's three consecutive season championships from 2024 to 2026 established the team as one of the most successful competitors in the early history of WNXL Europe.[4][5][6]

Equipment and sponsorship

Planet Eclipse identifies Belladonna among its sponsored women's teams.[8]

During its inaugural season, the team also received support from Breakout Arena, Anthrax Paintball, Hormesis, Powerhouse, D1Net Solutions and UCCA.[1]

References

External links