“It had started very well…”, Eddy Demarez muses after the lost World Cup final.
“A double lead after great goals and suddenly the Lions lose control in the second quarter. After Germany’s connection goal, you got the feeling that things were no longer right in the heads of the Belgians.”
“The Germans didn’t play overwhelmingly, but the Belgians couldn’t get hold of the midfield anymore. To make matters worse, they come back to 2-2. Because, well, they always do. And due to doubts at the Lions, the 3 falls -2 right away.”
Nevertheless, our man on the spot had hope for a good outcome after Tom Boon’s late equalizer. “Then you think: everything will be fine in the shoot-outs.” Unfortunately, the Germans decided otherwise.
Demarez has one last thought. One about a player who couldn’t change the result. “It is impossible to say that Tom Boon did not do well, but I would have liked to see it again with Alexander Hendrickx.”
“He is an extra weapon that might just make that goal more.” The difference between gold and silver? “Whenever he’s not there, it’s the latter. Hopefully the Lions aren’t ‘cursed’ without him.”
Reaching the World Cup final again is incredible, but silver is a disappointment for this team. The fact that the Belgians can go home with the Fair Play prize offers little consolation.
“Vanasch and Wegnez will also be happy to exchange their individual prizes for best goalkeeper and midfielder for a gold medal,” says Demarez. “But count on them now setting their sights on the Games in Paris.”
