Imke Courtois, ex-Red Flame and analyst for Sporza, co-commented the live broadcast of the Euro 2022 draw yesterday. She wished our women’s football team the group with France and Italy and it did. Iceland was the country in pot 4. “I’m happy with the draw”, Courtois tells us about the opponents in England.
It is only the second time that the Red Flames (FIFA-19) participate. In 2017 they went out in the group stage. Now the 2nd round (quarter-finals) is the ambition. Courtois likes that: “I think it is a feasible card to at least be second in the group.” The top 2 of the 4 groups of 4 countries advance.
France is the number 5 in the world. “France is the best team in the group. It is a country with a lot of good players, young talent, but also anciens such as Renard and Le Sommer. The only thing you can say is that they often end up in the final phase of a major tournament be, but never in the final.”
“What can be a small plus is that France has a lot of players from Lyon and Red Flame Janice Cayman plays there. She can pass on extra information to the coach.”
“In principle, France is unachievable, but strange things have often happened in football. 5 years ago, Belgium won against Norway and lost twice. With 1-0 against a very good Denmark and with 1-2 against the Netherlands, the later European champion.”
Italy is the number 14 in the world. “Belgium should focus on winning against Italy and Iceland. I remember a friendly match in which I played against Italy myself. We won it relatively easily, but the following year Italy was a very new and good team. We saw that in the previous World Cup qualifiers: Belgium won once and lost once 2-1. In the end, Italy went on to win the World Cup as group winners.”
On paper, France is a step or 2 higher, but Italy and Iceland should be able to succeed.
Iceland finally is the number 16 in the world. That country comes from pot 4, Belgium was in pot 3. “But make no mistake: Iceland is higher in the FIFA ranking. And it is the 4th time that Iceland participates in the European Championship. So they have more experience than Belgium. But of level it is near the Red Flames.”
“On paper, France is a step or two higher, but Italy and Iceland should be able to succeed. Although Italy always remains a challenge.”
Courtois brings in the other groups: “In group A England and Norway, in group B Germany and Spain and in group C the Netherlands and Sweden. Those are countries that you already put in the top 2 of that group. So I’m very happy that with Italy and Iceland we will meet countries that came second in their group in the preliminary round.” Belgium qualified as group winner.
Courtois does not assume that the lowest-placed Belgium is underestimated: “That may have been the case in the past, because there was little footage. Meanwhile, women’s football is far enough away that teams know perfectly what the strengths and weaknesses of the Red Flames, among others, are. You can’t count on that.”
“Will be propaganda for women’s football”
Courtois is already looking forward to the European Championship and she also knows the Flames: “If you can go to England as a player, the cradle of football, and play in beautiful accommodation. Where there will undoubtedly be a lot of audience.”
“During the draw, there were some words that came up very often: “We want to beat records in different ways, including spectator numbers.” I also often heard “inclusive” and “legacy (legacy)”. They want to promote women’s football. I think there will be a lot of atmosphere.”
“As a player, you want to have experienced that, although you also want to step off the field with a good result.”
