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| BELGIUM BELGIUM'S PREPARATION GAMES |
| BELGIUM-The Netherlands | 5:5 |
| BELGIUM-Morocco | 4:0 |
| BELGIUM-England | 1:2 |
| BELGIUM-Portugal | 1:1 |
| BELGIUM-Italy | 3:1 |
| BELGIUM-The Netherlands | 2:2 |
| BELGIUM-Norway | 2:0 |
| Even if the Belgian
national team only hangs around on place 30 in the FIFA world rankings this should under no cicumstances mislead about the stunning recent form the team is currently in. After a change of coaches last year and minor tactical changes especially in offense Belgium has played very convincingly in the past couple of games. It seems as if coach Robert Waseige has found 16 or 17 players who keep the team together and with this united team efford seem to be able to beat any opponent. Even young players like Mark Hendrikx seem to be able to add to this roster infinitely. The morale in the national team is as high as it hasn't been since World Cup 1986 in Mexico and every player can be replaced perfectly. TACTICS Tactically seen the Belgians play a 4-4-2 but they can play 4-3-3 or 4-5-1 as well whereas in defense they always stick to the traditional flat back four. In midfield they often play with one defensive player, often personified by Vanderhaege as "sweeper" who has to stress on offense as well watch the back of the playmaker. The wingers are playing offensively as well and are often well used. They are not very dangerous in front of the goal yet though. The spot in the offensive midfield is occupied by Schalke 04's "Battlepig" Marc Wilmots who has an incredible workrate and is involved in most attacks. Wilmots is the heart and soul of the Belgian team and without him as playmaker the offensive game is completely static and there is a sheer infinite vacuum between midfield and attack as seen recently against Norway where Wilmots was missing due to a light injury. Up front Emile Mpenza has a guaranteed first team spot while the second striker has to adjust to Mpenza's style of play. This was done best by Branko Strupar but he's currently going through a bad spell. But in Luc Nilis, Gilles De Bilde and Toni Brogno coach Waseige has three more 1st class strikers available. In goal the Belgian coach has several quality alternatives to his n°1, Filip De Wilde, because with Geert De Vlieger and Ronny Gaspercic he has two internationally experienced keepers as well. The eventual lineup might look like this : |
| E Mpenza | Strupar |
| Wilmots |
| Goor | Verheyen |
| Vanderhaege |
| Leonard | Valgaeren | Staelens | Deflandre |
| De Wilde |
| STRENGTHS
& WEAKNESSES Belgium plays a style with strong emphasis on fighting spirit whereas every player has to do a lot of running. Through aggressive pressing they often try to force the opponent to make mistakes which can be converted by quick counterattacks. But also with their short passing game the "Red Devils" can create dangerous scoring chances and if the opponent lets them play their moves quickly become safer and then they can play any defense into the ground. Sadly one misses the "suprise effect" in the Belgian game, a good cross or a precise through pass. And in set play the players still commit too many grave mistakes which lead to unnecessary goals against. A strength of the team is their fighting spirit and moral and you'll have to add the exploitation of chances by the attackers as well. But you'll also have to say that Belgium has great trouble defending a lead and coolly playing on after taking the lead. STARS Even if it seems that this Belgian team has no first-class international stars there are still some players it's worth having a closer look at: ATTACK There is EMILE MPENZA who is known beyond Belgium not only since his multi-million move from Standard Liege to Schalke 04. "Magic" like Schalke's fans affectionately call him is not only lightning quick and immensely dangerous in the area but he also strikes as intelligent team player. Especially in the national team "Magic" Mpenza blossomed and had some World Class performances in the past. Above all his exploitation in front of the goal is often overwhelming. MIDFIELD In midfield Schalke's playmaker and driving force MARC WILMOTS is the key. This always fighting midfielder is the "thinker and driver" of the team. Without him the whole offensive game seems to collapse and the strikers seem to starve up front. DEFENSE In defense everything revolves around old hand LORENZO STAELENS who guides the back four. He carries the responsibility and this way the young players can perform very calmly without all the pressure. But also because of his enormous battle power and incredible workrate he holds the defense together and mediates his teammates a feeling of safety. He is Waseige's "extended arm" on the pitch who coordinates everything and passes the orders of the coach on to his teammates. OUTLOOK Even if Belgium cannot be considered hands down favourites to take it all they are seen as a safe bet for the quarterfinal here in Belgium. And everybody who has either seen the 5-5 or 2-2 against the Netherlands or the 2-0 victory over Norway will surely know: Belgium is one of the "insider tips" for Euro 2000. Robert Waseige and the Belgian FA will be well prepared because since May 15th 24 players are in the training camp. After the condition training in the first couple of days he will strongly emphasize on tactics so the dream of Euro 2000 won't become a nightmare. At the end of the preparation phase Belgium will once again take on Norway as well as a couple of other regional and national teams. After the 4 weeks of training things will become dead serious again in the opening match against Sweden where Belgium will have the task of restoring the chipped image of Belgian football through inspiring games. Preview written by : Philipp Reinertz organized by Alexander Stoffels (AlexSVW@village.uunet.be) translated by Tim (tim@milanmania.com) |