Belgium at UEFA Euro 2016 | Squad and Stats.

Belgium – the hidden favourites.

Belgium will be the highest ranked by FIFA team to take part in UEFA Euro 2016. The Belgian players are in 2nd position only behind Argentina. It sounds very strange, because Belgium’s only international trophy dates back to 1920 (the Olympics in Belgium). Other significant moments in Belgian national team’s history are the 4th place from the World Cup 1986 in Mexico and the lost final at Euro 1980 in Italy. Then, why Belgium are so high in FIFA’s rankings? Well, Belgium have recently been the most persistent team in Europe. To begin with, the qualifiers for The World Cup in 2014. Belgium recorded 8 victories in 10 games, without a single defeat in these games. Then, The Red Devils won 4 matches in a row, before being defeated to Argentina in the quarterfinals of the World Cup. Belgium, then, won 7 of their 10 games in the qualifiers for the Euro 2016, registering only 1 defeat. So, the balance of Belgium’s last 25 competitive games is 19 victories, 4 draws and just 2 defeats.

The Red Devils’ task at the Euro 2016 is not easy at all. They have been drawn in Group E with the teams of Italy, Sweden and Republic of Ireland. Marc Wilmots’ players won their last 2 matches against Sweden, including a 2-1 victory at the Euro 2000. To continue; Belgium have played 7 competitive matches against the Republic of Ireland. The Red Devils haven’t lost any of these games, but they have recorded only 2 wins! Of course, Italy will be the strongest opponent for Belgium. Marc Wilmots’ team has achieved only 3 wins in 10 matches against Squadra Azzurra.

Marc Wilmots’ team has taken part in only 4 European championships. The biggest success for Belgium in such competition is reaching the final in 1980. There were 2 groups and the winners of the groups went directly into the final match. Belgium won their group after finishing with a draw against England and Italy and beating Spain 2-1. But, West Germany were too good for the Red Devils and Belgium lost 1-2 to the Germans. It’s interesting that in Belgium’s first participation at the Euro 1972, the team won the third place of the competition. So, the Belgians are very effective when they qualify for the European championship – a second and a third place from just 4 participations!

The Squad:

• Goalkeepers: Thibaut Courtois, Simon Mignolet, Jean-Francois Gillet.
• Defenders: Toby Alderweireld, Thomas Meunier, Christian Kabasele, Laurent Ciman, Jason Denayer, Thomas Vermaelen, Jordan Lukaku, Jan Vertonghen.
• Midfielders: Axel Witsel, Radja Nainggolan, Marouane Fellaini, Moussa Dembele, Kevin De Bruyne, Eden Hazard, Yannick Ferreira-Carrasco, Dries Mertens.
• Forwards: Romelu Lukaku, Christian Benteke, Michy Batshuayi, Divock Origi.

Belgium matches at the Euro 2016:

• 13/06/16 | Belgium vs. Italy | Parc Olympique Lyonnais (Décines-Charpieu)
• 18/06/16 | Belgium vs. Rep. of Ireland | Stade Matmut-Atlantique (Bordeaux)
• 22/06/16 | Sweden vs. Belgium | Allianz Riviera (Nice)

Marc Wilmots can be happy he is the manager of one of the most talented teams. Courtois is a world class goalkeeper. Vertonghen, Vermaelen and Alderweireld are very strong and reliable defenders. To continue, technically gifted Hazard, De Bruyne and Mertens have made a great development since the World Cup in 2014. In addition, Romelu Lukaku just can’t stop scoring goals. It’s interesting that his brother, Jordan, has also received a call-up. Jordan Lukaku is also a good player, but his position is left fullback. We must say that even the less famous players in Belgium’s squad have very good skills. For example, the veteran goalkeeper Jean-Francois Gillet has saved three penalties in just one game, when playing for Mechelen against Anderlecht in 2015. Christian Kabasele began his career as a striker and even became a champion of Bulgaria with Ludogorets Razgrad in 2012, but then he seemed to be more useful in defence and the 25-year-old Kabasele has the chance to prove himself at the biggest stage for his country. Yannick-Ferreira Carrasco has also shown he has a great potential. Carrasco was simply unstoppable in the Champions League final and scored a goal for Atletico Madrid. The experts say he has a bright future in front of him.

Just because people are crazy it does not mean I am as well. There are teams like Spain, Germany and France that have a lot of quality. We are among the outsiders like Italy and Portugal.Marc Wilmots