EC futsal: Spain – Belgium
The Belgians have qualified for the quarter-finals of the European Futsal Championship, but not in the way they had dreamed. Our compatriots clearly suffered the law of the strongest against top country Spain and lost 10-3. But a Belarusian victory against Slovenia still achieved the mini-miracle. Our compatriots are qualified with barely one victory. Next opponent: Portugal.
Goals:
1-0: 3′ Adrian Rivera
2-0: 6′ Antonio Perez
2-1: 8′ Grello
3-1: 8′ Raya
4-1: 8′ Raya
5-1: 21′ Ramirez
6-1: 24′ Cecilio
7-1: 27′ Adolfo
8-1: 27′ Mellado
9-1: 35′ Cecilio
10-1: 35′ Raya
10-2: 36′ Bachar
10-3: 40′ Rahou
Who could have predicted this?
After an excellent tournament, Belgium still had the chance to qualify for the quarter-finals on the last matchday of the group stage. Yet everything had to go well for the Devils, because they looked the top team Spain in the eye and a lot depended on the result between Slovenia and Belarus.
The chance against Spain quickly turned out to be over, because with a dominant overall performance, tournament favorite La Roja played the Belgians in a pile. Omar Rahou did provide a Belgian bright spot, because with his goal the goalkeeper became the first ever to score 6 times in the European Championship group stage.
In the end, the Devils were able to narrowly avert the biggest European Championship defeat in history, although 10-3 does not look very good on your report. And yet the final whistle after a tough match was no redemption for the Belgians.
Belgian party, host country in mourning
The situation in Slovenia – Belarus was of vital importance with a view to the quarter-finals, and at that moment very favorable for Belgium.
The 2-3 score in favor of Belarus meant that the Belgians would virtually advance to the quarter-finals. But with more than 6 minutes left on the clock, Slovenia could demolish Belgium’s hopes at any moment.
In front of the home crowd, Slovenia desperately looked for openings and the Belarusian wall showed cracks, but did not break. For example, 3 countries end the group stage with 3 points, but it is Belgium that advances to the quarter-finals thanks to the best mutual results.
Participation in the European Championship was already historic after a 12-year absence, but now the Devils are also continuing their tournament. Portugal awaits in the quarter-finals on Sunday, the other tournament favorite alongside Spain.
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Incredible! Belgium to quarter-finals
Last! The Slovenians have no longer managed to give the home crowd a quarter-final. Unbelievable but true: the Belgians lose by no less than 10-3, but still advance. They will face Portugal, the other top favorite, on Sunday.
The Slovenians continue to besiege the Belarusian objective. They desperately look for an opening, with barely 20 seconds left on the clock.
Meanwhile, there is less than a minute left on the clock.
Frustrations are gradually running high among the Slovenians. They feel the mood brewing. They hope that a time-out can save the day.
Slovenia misses eye to eye with goalkeeper!
It gets very hot for the Belarusian goal, because Slovenia comes 1 on 1 against the goalkeeper, but he keeps the equalizer off the board. There is an enormous discharge or gigantic disappointment in the air here.
There are 2 minutes left on the clock. Cheers to Belarus, because they actually have little interest in a victory. They are eliminated anyway.
Powerplay Slovenia
The Slovenians give everything, because with the power play they have 5 players on the field. The risk of this is that the Slovenians do not have a goalkeeper, so if they lose the ball, Belarus can score relatively easily.
The home crowd has to bite their nails. Slovenia is higher than Belgium and Belarus in the world rankings, but is now in danger of missing out on the quarter-finals. They had not counted on this in Ljubljana.
The host country is trying hard to force an equalizer. Pushed forward by the home crowd, they look for the 3-3 with 7 minutes left on the clock. Will Belarus hold out?
Slovenia – Belarus has 8 minutes left on the clock. We will continue to follow that match and provide text updates here.
End: 10-3
Belgium ends the group stage with a heavy defeat. Spain was superior, although the Belgians were just able to avert a historically heavy loss with Rahou’s late goal. Now all eyes are on the other match in the group, because the Belgians have been placed virtually, although that can change at any time.
Wonderful inspiration from Rahou: 10-3
10-3: Rahou also on the board
Tournament top scorer Omar Rahou was not yet on the board and the Belgian top scorer of all time wants to undo that. He works the ball past Plana with a trick and now has 6 goals in the group stage, a record.
There are still 2 minutes left on the clock in this match, but perhaps more importantly: in Slovenia – Belarus there are still 10 to go.
Vrancken is in a shooting stall, because the Spaniards have created 48 attempts, compared to 22 from the Belgians.
Belarus back in the lead
It’s incredible. Despite this heavy defeat, the Belgians are virtually qualified for the quarter-finals. Belarus made it 2-3 against Slovenia halfway through their second half. The host country is thus virtually eliminated.
With his first touch, Bachar scores: 10-2
10-2: Bachar with first ball touch
The coach’s son, Ilias Bachar, kicks a nice Belgian attack past Plana. Aabbou gives a nice assist and Bachar’s first touch makes it 10-2.
