The Belgian Red Devils will play against Luxembourg on Saturday, June 8. It has been ten years since these two countries last faced each other. In preparation for the World Cup in Brazil, Luxembourg was then defeated 5-1. Can the Red Devils replicate that performance?
Preparation for the European Championship
The previous match between the two teams was in preparation for the World Cup in Brazil; this match is a practice for the European Championship in Germany. In that last match, Romelu Lukaku scored a hat-trick, and both Nacer Chadli and Kevin De Bruyne also scored. Because Belgium made one too many substitutions, the match was not counted as an official international match.
For the last competitive match, we have to go back to the qualification campaign for the 1992 European Championship. Even then, the Red Devils were too strong, winning 0-2 with goals from Enzo Scifo and Marc Degryse.
Belgium
Belgium has never won the European Championship. The best result was the silver medal at the 1980 European Championship. In the final, the Red Devils lost 1-2 to West Germany. Since then, Belgium has not progressed further than the quarterfinals.
During the qualifications for this tournament, Belgium did not lose a single match, drawing twice against Sweden and Austria. This placed Belgium at the top of the rankings as group leader, with just one point difference from Austria. Sweden, Azerbaijan, and Estonia did not qualify.
Coach Domenico Tedesco surprised many by bringing Axel Witsel back to the national team for the European Championship. The Atletico defender retired from the Red Devils a year ago but chose to return. The selection of Maxim De Cuyper was also a surprise: the Club Brugge sensation makes his debut with the Red Devils.
Additionally, Tedesco opts for a mix of experience and young talent. Players like Arthur Vermeeren, Charles De Ketelaere, Zeno Debast, and Jeremy Doku are included, alongside record international Jan Vertonghen, Romelu Lukaku, and Kevin De Bruyne. You can find the full squad below.
The Red Devils will play in Group E at the European Championship. This group also includes Slovakia, Romania, and Ukraine. Belgium will first play on Monday, June 17, against Slovakia in Frankfurt. The Red Devils will then play on June 22 against Romania, and on June 26 against Ukraine.
Luxembourg
Luxembourg has never managed to reach the finals of a World Cup or European Championship. They played their first international match in 1911, losing 1-4 to France. Their first victory was in 1914, when Luxembourg won 5-4 against France.
In the Luxembourg squad, we see goalkeeper Anthony Moris. The goalkeeper almost became national champion in Belgium with the Brussels club Union Saint-Gillis but had to cede the title to Club Brugge. Currently, Luxembourg plays with Mario Mutsch as captain; he plays in his home country with Progrès Niedercorn.
During the qualifiers, Luxembourg played in a tough group. They were better than Iceland, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Liechtenstein, but top team Portugal proved too strong as expected. The Iberian country had a flawless campaign. Luxembourg managed to win five matches, but it was not enough. The country finished third, behind group winner Portugal and Slovakia, just missing out on qualification.
Luxembourg lost their last European Championship qualifying match against Georgia 1-0. They then played another match against Kazakhstan, which they did win. At home, it was 2-1.
Red Devils European Championship Squad
Coach Domenico Tedesco announced a list of 25 names who will participate in the European Championship:
- Goalkeepers: Koen Casteels, Matz Sels, Thomas Kaminski
- Defenders: Jan Vertonghen, Timothy Castagne, Zeno Debast, Axel Witsel, Maxim De Cuyper, Wout Faes, Thomas Meunier, Arthur Theate
- Midfielders: Kevin De Bruyne, Orel Mangala, Amadou Onana, Youri Tielemans, Arthur Vermeeren, Aster Vranckx
- Forwards: Johan Bakayoko, Yannick Carrasco, Charles De Ketelaere, Jérémy Doku, Romelu Lukaku, Dodi Lukebakio, Loïs Openda, Leandro Trossard
So, 25 names, meaning Tedesco still has one spot available. He will likely fill this soon. It is known that the spot will probably go to Mandela Keita or Arne Engels. Both players have arrived at the training complex in Tubeke and will now have to prove themselves.
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