The Red Lions have also successfully completed their last group assignment at the European Championships in Germany. The Olympic champions were lord and master against Austria and had a lot more chances than before the final 3-1. The Belgians are group winners with 9 out of 9 and will probably meet the Netherlands in the semi-final on Friday.
Goals:
5′ Hendrickx 1-0 (penalty corner) 15′ Hendrickx 2-0 (penalty corner) 25′ Onana 3-0 25′ Losonci 3-1
Hendrickx quickly shoots in 2 penalty corners
The Red Lions were already certain of the semi-finals in advance. Five goals were scored against England (3-5) and Spain (5-1). Those opponents were stronger than Austria, the number 19 in the world.
Everyone therefore expected many Belgian goals. They also fell at first. After 5 minutes, Hendrickx had already scored a penalty corner. Luypaert failed to do that a few minutes later, after which Hendrickx showed again how it should be done at the end of the 1st quarter. In between, Van Doren had also stopped an Austrian penalty corner.
The Belgians were in control throughout the match. They played controlled and occasionally unpacked with an acceleration, which always resulted in danger.
In the 2nd quarter, a Braxgata duo scored the third Belgian goal: Luypaert served Onana, who cleverly deflected the ball into goal.
The Austrians had not yet scored at this tournament, but broke that spell before the break. It was not an opportunity that was played out, but Losonci’s bet went unluckily via Van Dessel’s stick with an arc over Van Doren who had run out, who replaced goalkeeper Vanasch for the occasion.
Alexander Hendrikx.
Lots of chances, no more goals after the break
After the break, the Austrians became more and more tired and had to retreat. The Belgian attack waves now continued to roll in more consistently. The youngsters Ghislain, who played a hell of a match, and Onana were looking forward to it and repeatedly looked for each other.
Ghislain deserved a goal, but goalkeeper Szymczyk stopped him every time, even after a nice solo.
Now and then Austria could counter again. Van Doren showed that he can take over the role of Vanasch and grabbed a 2nd penalty corner.
The Belgians were already thinking about the semi-finals, they remained dominant, but could not score anymore. But nobody cared. With 9 out of 9 they have completed their assignment perfectly.
As group winner, the second of Group B awaits on Friday. Those matches will be played tonight: the Netherlands-Wales and France-Germany. Germany, who beat the Netherlands, has 4 points, the Netherlands and France both 3.
National coach: “I have seen growth”
Felix Denayer: “We had a lot of control and a lot of chances. But Austria made the spaces small, so we didn’t score very many goals. But of course they are at the European Championship for a reason. We also did some preparations for the semi-finals. These are a good 3 points. I’m looking forward to the next chapter. We’re building up in the tournament.” National coach Michel van de Heuvel: “We did what had to be done and also tried to do things better. Positionally it was better, we had control and the connection. I have seen growth, the team has done well. I saw ambition and drive, we go to the semi-finals with a good feeling.”
2023-08-23 09:29:00
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