Obviously, the return match must be played but we do not see how Ukraine, 35th nation in the world, could thwart the plans of the Ives Serneels gang. Only a massacre in the core this weekend could perhaps undermine this away victory. This has only happened twice to the Belgians this year: in the Czech Republic in the first part of the qualifying campaign and in Hungary in February in the play-off to remain in League A (a League of Nations that they will return to from February with Portugal, Spain and England).
The Red Flames win the first leg 0-2 against Ukraine and take a good option for the Euro
Wullaert a notch lower
If we give little chance to the Ukrainian players, forced to play far from their country due to the war, it is also because the Red Flames seem to be gaining strength at the end of the year. Belgium has, in fact, already done better than in the previous round against Greece where the small field of Heraklion had rather been to the advantage of the visitors (0-0 draw). Above all, the Belgians won without being sparkling. Which bodes well before Tuesday.
Ukraine played in a very compact manner, not rushing excessively forward, on the contrary rather leaving the initiative to the Belgians. If this appearance sometimes put the Flames to sleep, they showed diligence and seriousness, failing to have succeeded in igniting the game. With Tessa Wullaert going down a notch lower, more to the distribution, Ella Van Kerkhoven however brought an interesting physique in the rectangle and that was certainly the desired goal even if the attacker at No. 2 in the back did not not often been well served. With Eurlings and Janssens rather well contained on the sides, he often lacked genius and unpredictability in the Ukrainian rectangle.
The fourteen black-yellow-red shots or chances from the players playing in sky blue demonstrate the Belgians’ control of the match but few were on target or forced Keliushyk to work. A clumsiness and a lack of details which, however, has no consequences for the Belgian delegation, which left Turkish soil with a great advantage in its baggage and with its eyes already turned towards its third consecutive Euro.
Ella Van Kerkhoven again scorer, Hannah Eurlings less in sight: the top and the flop of the Flames during Ukraine – Belgium
Ukraine: Keliushyk, Petryk, Kotyk, Shmatko, Basanska, Semkiv, Andrukhiv (89e Malakhova), Khimich, Hiryn (76e Kozlova), Ovdiychuk, Kravchuk (70e Hlushchenko).
Belgium: Lichtfus, Janssen, Kees, Tysiak, Cayman, Missipo, Vanhaevermaet, Wullaert, Eurlings (70th Detruyer), Janssens (8çe Delacauw), Van Kerkhoven (89th De Caigny).
Arbitre: M. Christiana (Find).
Avertissements: Basanska, Semkiv, Van Kerkhoven, Wullaert.
Les buts: 21st Van Kerkhoven (0-1), 90th+ 2 Wullaert (0-2).
