With the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 right around the corner, excitement is high as fans prepare to be thrilled with tournament football at the highest level. With domestic seasons now over there can sometimes be a lack of footballing entertainment over the summer months, however this exciting tournament is sure to have fans on the edge of their seats over the next month.
With Belgium’s men having comfortably qualified for the Winter World Cup in December of this year, all attention is on the Belgium Women to try and bring home some silverware. With the whole country behind them they are sure to have a chance, however competition is extremely high.
Let’s go over the Belgium squad for the tournament and the key things to look out for as they bid to conquer Europe’s footballing elite.
At Bet777.be we have a wide array of betting options surrounding the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 tournament. For example, Belgium to go all the way and win Euro 2022 is 66/1. The current favourites are Spain at 7/2 and the hosts England at 4/1.
Challenge Ahead
From just looking at the betting odds, it may seem like the Belgium Women’s side have been written off by most. With many of the top European sides much given a much better chance to win in comparison.
There is no denying the challenge ahead is steep and the quality of the teams around Europe is at an all time high. However, with Ives Serneels’ side cruising through qualification with only one loss, the Red Devils could be ones to watch out for.
Unbeaten in their last four qualifiers and with a decent showing in the latest run of friendlies, there is certainly some quiet confidence amongst fans. When the odds are not with you, the pressure is off and it could work in favor of the Belgians. With the expectation high for the hosts England and heavy favoruites like Spain, the Belgium Women can take this challenge in their stride with nothing to lose.
Schedule & Opposition
The opening game of the tournament is set for Wednesday 6th July where hosts England will face Austria. The Red Devils will have to wait until Sunday 10th July before kicking off their campaign.
Belgium find themselves in Group D along with France, Iceland and Italy. If world rankings are anything to go by, the Belgians are expected to face a tough test. Serneels’ side are ranked 19th in the world making them the lowest out of the group. However, after a very impressive qualifying campaign the Red Devils will be looking to be a dark horse of the tournament.
Belgium will face Iceland on Sunday 10th July at Manchester City’s academy stadium. A tough start against a side who only lost once during qualifying. The world rankings have these two evenly matched and it will be the first meeting of the two nations since 2016 with no recent form to get an idea of how these two match up.
In matchday 2 the Belgians will go up against France on Thursday 14th July. The New York Stadium will play host to a hotly contested matchup on paper. With France coming in at 5/1 with Bet777.be to win the entire tournament, it will certainly be the Belgians biggest test. Their last meeting was a resounding 7-0 victory for France back in 2018, a result that fans will not want a repeat of.
Finally in the last game of the group stages Ives Serneels squad will face Italy on Monday 18th July, again at Manchester City’s academy stadium. By this point Belgium may need points to have a chance of making it through to the knockout stages. Opponents Italy are outsiders at 28/1 with Bet777.be to win the tournament, meaning on paper this could be a close battle. Fans will be hoping for a similar result to the last time these two met when the Red Devils won 2–1 back in 2018.
At Bet777.be we have Belgium to win Group D at 12/1, with France currently favourites to top the group at 1/4.
Full Fixtures:
Belgium vs Iceland – Sunday 10th July 6pm
Belgium vs France – Thursday 14th July 9pm
Belgium vs Italy – Monday 18th July 9pm
Predictions
So much football is left to play and the excitement is really beginning to build. Serneels has a fully fit squad and has built an ethos of determination and self-expression with the national team.
With very little to lose and no high expectations, there is no reason why Belgium can’t make a real run in this tournament. Expect a cagey affair in the games against Iceland and Italy where the Reds will look to take at least 4 points. The gulf in class with France may seem ominous but in tournament football anything can happen.
If Serneels manages to steer this side to the knockout stages, it will be a great achievement and one that is certainly in the realms of possibility.
Women’s Euro 2022 Belgium Squad:
Goalkeepers: Nicky Evrard, Diede Lemey, Lisa Lichtfus.
Defenders: Davina Philtjens, Janice Cayman, Jody Vangheluwe, Laura De Neve, Sari Kees, Laura Deloose
Midfielders: Amber Tysiak, Feli Delacauw, Justine Vanhaevermaet, Marie Minnaert, Charlotte Tison, Julie Biesmans, Kassandra Missipo.
Forwards: Ella Van Kerkhoven, Sarah Wijnants, Tine De Caigny, Hannah Eurlings, Tessa Wullaert, Elena Dhont.
Manager: Ives Seerneels.
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