The ambition is clear. “It’s an important meeting and we hope to qualify for the Euro. An expectation that everyone shares within the group and outside.”
Women’s Euro 2025: De Caigny returns to the Red Flames to face Ukraine
Because qualifying for a Euro has real repercussions in Belgium. “We saw the importance that our first qualification had on the development of football in Belgium. To continue this development, it is important that we continue to qualify for this Euro. It is then all Belgian women’s football which will benefit from it.”
gullI’m super happy with everything I’ve already accomplished. But I want more.
It is with the status of favorites that the Red Flames will approach the two matches against Ukraine. First this Friday in Antalya and then Tuesday in Louvain. “I think we are the favorites; we cannot hide. But the match must be played. It’s up to us to be focused and to carry out the tasks we have to do well. A bit like we did in our last meeting against Greece.”
Red Flames: Belgium against Spain, England and Portugal in the Nations League
This double duel against Ukraine will be one of the most important meetings for Tine De Caigny in the national team. “Every match you play to qualify for a Euro is much more important than any other match. And then there are the Euro matches themselves which are so special and important. We must do everything to win at the end of this double duel.”
For that, you will have to relieve the pressure. “There is pressure because the expectations are high. But I think our team is able to handle that pressure and we have the experience to handle it.”
To manage this pressure, Tine De Caigny will be able to rely on her club experience, having just crossed the 150 match mark with Anderlecht. “I didn’t notice that I had crossed this thresholdshe smiled. It’s nice to know that I was able to play so many matches for Anderlecht, with so many titles.”
Anderlecht which has had a change of coach this season. “We had to adapt but the coach (NdlR : Farid Goreishvand) didn’t revolutionize everything either. He’s trying to continue the work of Dennis (Moerman), while giving us more freedom in the game. And it’s paying off at the moment.”
“The goal from a corner, we worked on it”, “Another role but I liked it”: Wullaert and Van Kerkhoven were happy with the victory against Greece
Returning to Anderlecht in May 2023, Tine De Caigny does not, however, close the door to a possible new adventure abroad. “You should never say never. We’ll see what happens, but at the moment I’m happy in Belgium.”
To Antalya
Due to the war in Ukraine, this first leg of the last round of the play-offs for the Euro takes place in Antalya at the Mardan Antalyaspor which can accommodate 7,000 people. Kick-off is scheduled for 6 p.m., the referee will be Bulgarian Hristiyana Guteva.
With De Caigny?
Our base: Lichtfus, Deloose, Decaigny, Kees, Janssen, Missipo, Vanhaevermaet, Detruyer, Eurlings, Janssens, Wullaert. Banc: Evrard, Bastiaen, Cayman, De Neve, Mertens, Tysiak, Iliano, Delacauw, Teulings, Blom, Toloba, Van Kerkhoven.
Six other tickets in play
In addition to the Flames match, six other play-offs are on the program to determine the final table where we already find Switzerland (host country), Denmark, England, France, Germany, Iceland, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain.
The first leg play-off program this Friday: Serbia-Sweden (nc), Ukraine-Belgium (6 p.m.), Poland – Austria (8 p.m.), Northern Ireland – Norway (8 p.m.), Wales – Ireland (8:15 p.m. ), Scotland – Finland (8:35 p.m.), Portugal – Rep. Czech (8:45 p.m.). The return matches are scheduled for Tuesday December 3. The draw for the Euro 2025 groups will take place on December 16 in Lausanne. The Euro takes place from July 2 to 27 in Switzerland. N. Stupid
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