European Championship suddenly far away: Spain gives Young Devils a cold shower

The national promises did a particularly bad job on Tuesday in their qualifying campaign for the European Championship. However, on the field of direct competitor Spain, a draw seemed to be in the making. But in the absolute final phase, Mateo Joseph (Leeds United) still scored the 1-0.

Last summer a European Championship for promises was also on the programme. Belgium started the tournament with the necessary ambitions and hoped to qualify for the Olympic Games. But after a painful denouement, the Devils already fell in the group stage. And that was not without consequences.

For example, Jacky Mathijssen was thanked as national coach. A successor was then appointed with Gill Swerts, who in turn brought a breath of fresh air to the selection. That approach initially seemed to pay off. The Young Devils managed to win their first three qualifying matches.

Victory against Malta

But then the Belgians lost on their own field to Scotland, a direct competitor for the group win. So some things had to be put right during the current international match. They achieved this last Thursday with a 3-1 victory against their peers from Malta.

However, a more important appointment was scheduled for Tuesday. Spain is the favorite for group victory, a point there would be nice. That’s something to learn, especially when the Spaniards saw a goal disallowed for offside in the second half.

Aim for second place

In the final phase, goalkeeper Maarten Vandevoordt had to give in to Joseph and the 1-0 was also the final score. Due to this defeat, Belgium already has three points less than Spain, which has also played one match less. Second place therefore gradually seems to be the highest achievable. For this, a 9 out of 9 in the remaining matches against Kazakhstan, Scotland and Hungary seems to be gradually necessary.