“Promises will especially miss Openda at the European Championships, he stood head and shoulders above the rest” | European Football U21

Wim De Coninck often saw the young Red Devils in action last year and is therefore well placed to judge the selection. What strikes him first?

“It is an experienced selection, with all guys who have already played at the highest level.”

De Coninck points out the trio Jérémy Doku, Arthur Theate and Loïs Openda as the most notable absentees. “Domenico Tedesco (national coach of the A-team) will have wanted it in his core and Jacky Mathijssen will have resigned himself to it.”

Especially the absence of Openda will be difficult. “During qualifying he was by far, but by far, the most important player in the team. Not only with many goals, but also because of his work force.”

“Openda was the only one who stood out, but he is also about the only deep striker in the selection. During a practice tournament in Spain, they tried Kyan Vaesen in the striker, but he is not there. That absence of Openda is a mortgage on the success of the Belgians at the European Championship.”

So no Openda, but De Coninck does not want to be too gloomy. “It remains a very strong selection, although the competitors also have players who already have a lot of experience at the highest level. It will be a high-quality European Championship.”

“The strength of the Belgians during qualifying was certainly their group spirit. Matthijsen turned it into a real team.”

“A problem will be that just about everyone will feel they have a chance to play. Who are the best 11 players? No one will want to sit on the bench. How can you make those decisions and still keep that group feeling?”

Whether the mayonnaise will take hold will largely depend on that group feeling. “Belgium is certainly not a favourite, far from it. But it is a good outsider.”

“Actually, they should survive the group, otherwise that would be a huge disappointment. But with teams like Portugal and the Netherlands, it will be very difficult. If they can get through that, a lot is possible.”