This is therefore a third consecutive participation for Belgium. For the Red Flames, more than a more extensive business card, it is above all the accomplishment of a mission. Much more than with the Devils, participation in a major tournament is of crucial importance for women’s football in the Kingdom. “It’s even essentialsays Katrien Jans, head of women’s football at the RBFA. A big tournament is a kind of catalyst for the whole country. We saw it after Euro 2022 (Editor’s note: historic result with a quarter-final). The number of affiliates has increased and compared to Norway (Editor’s note: qualification for the 2023 World Cup) which followed the European Championship, they had a full stadium and it was the first time that there were so many supporters for them. For the players personally, playing in a Euro will give a lot of experience for all the young people. It makes the sport grow as a whole.”
First goal for the Red Flames for Mariam Toloba, the Standard Femina player: “In front of her supporters, it’s always a bit special”
In pot 3
If at the launch of the new formula qualification campaign (via the League of Nations with a group of four instead of a more traditional process), the dream objective was to finish 2nd behind Spain and qualify directly, they ultimately had to prolong the suspense. This victory secures them a place in pot 3 in the group draw on December 16.
At the Federation, once the qualification has been acquired, there will be no shortage of work in the coming days and weeks. The search for a camp in Switzerland will be the priority while negotiations will certainly take place with the players for bonuses. As a reminder, at the World Cup, Fifa implemented direct compensation for the players. “But everything is global tooreplies Jans. It depends on the bonus that we will receive from UEFA, which we hope is greater than in 2022 but which does not amount to millions. But also sponsors, partners…”
Belgium : Lichtfus, Janssen, Kees, Tysiak, Cayman (62nd De Caigny), Vanhaevermaet, Missipo, Wullaert, Janssens (73rd Delacauw), Eurlings (62nd Toloba), Van Kerkhoven (62nd Deloose).
Ukraine : Keliushyk, Petryk, Shmatko, Apanaschenko, Korsun, Semkiv (76e Pantsulaya), Khimich, Ovdiychul, Andrukhiv (46e Hiryn), Kravchuk (76e Hluschenko), Kalinia (68e Kozlova).
Arbitrator : Ms. Demestrescu (Rou).
Warnings : Petryk, Khimich.
The goals : 67th Toloba (1-0), 79th Shmatko (1-1), 89th Wullaert (2-1).
“Three qualifications in a row is something we won’t forget”: Yves Serneels proud of the Red Flames
Top&Flop
Mariam Let’s say : 7/1
Scoring your first goal for the national team is always special. Even more so when he almost qualifies his team for the Euro. On a backheel from Tessa Wullaert, the Standard player did not tremble on her first ball to make it 1-0 and consolidate the Belgian advantage. Also Flame in futsal, Toloba brings a technically different game, more in small spaces. At 25, she should apply for the Euro.
Hannah Eurlings : 4/10
As talented as she is, Hannah Eurlings disappointed. However, she made her comeback, a year after her injury, on October 25 against Greece. This Tuesday, in Louvain, she slowed down the game more by releasing her ball too late than speeding it up. Huge miss in the 23rd at close range, her offside position cancels Korsun’s own goal, she quibbles too much in the 55th in the defense. His body language was also too negative. Exit at game time.
