Basel, Switzerland – After a prolonged battle with injuries, Belgian winger Julien Duranville is rediscovering his passion for the game and preparing for a pivotal match with the Belgium U21 national team. The 19-year-old is set to feature in tonight’s crucial European Championship qualifier against Austria, a game where he’ll be looking to prove his fitness and form after a challenging period.
Duranville, currently on loan at FC Basel from Borussia Dortmund, has been steadily regaining match fitness after a series of setbacks. “It’s going well with me,” Duranville told reporters. “I’ve been well received in Basel and I’m enjoying it.” That enjoyment, he emphasizes, is paramount. His early promise at Anderlecht and subsequent move to Dortmund were hampered by recurring injuries, derailing his momentum.
This winter, a return to Anderlecht was considered, but Duranville ultimately opted for a move to Switzerland, where he’s been sharing playing time between starting and substitute appearances. “After all my injuries, it’s key to capture that next step. That comes by playing, playing, playing. Physically, I feel remarkably stable. I know my body now and know when I need to hold back and when I can push further.”
A shoulder injury sustained during pre-season proved particularly frustrating for the young player. “That shoulder injury in the preparation was enormously frustrating. When I was at the Club World Cup, I really wanted to play against those other teams. Without that injury, I would probably still be at Dortmund, but now I want to continue to grow at Basel.”
Despite the challenges, Duranville remains ambitious. “I haven’t given up on the World Cup yet,” he stated, signaling his desire to continue progressing and potentially earn a spot in the senior national team down the line.
Duranville has already made a positive impact at Basel, scoring one goal and providing an assist. He’s expected to bring that attacking threat to the Belgium U21 side as they aim to secure qualification for the European Championship.
“It’s a very important match,” Duranville stressed. “It’s about qualification. We know we have the qualities to hurt them, but it didn’t proceed well in the first leg,” referring to the 1-0 defeat in the reverse fixture. “But everyone is motivated. We don’t need to change big things. Just stay focused. I want to be a leader who lets his feet do the talking, not really verbally.”
The match as well presents an opportunity for Duranville to impress senior national team coach, Rudi Garcia. “Everyone dreams of the World Cup. I haven’t given up on it.”
Family Ties and Team Spirit
Interestingly, Duranville may find himself alongside his brother-in-law, Nathan De Cat, in a future senior national team squad. De Cat recently earned a call-up for a trip to the United States with the Red Devils. “It makes me happy that Nathan is with the Red Devils and can represent our country. I hope he does well. Whether we are really friends, I don’t know,” Duranville laughed. “The most important thing for me is that my sister is happy.”
And his sister will undoubtedly be happy to see Duranville shine against Austria tonight.
Belgium U21 Qualification Picture
Belgium currently sits atop Group I in the U21 European Championship qualifying standings with 10 points from five matches. A win against Austria would significantly bolster their chances of automatic qualification for the tournament. The group standings as of March 27, 2026, are as follows:
| Matches Belgium | ||
|---|---|---|
| Belarus | Belgium | 1-1 |
| Wales | Belgium | 0-7 |
| Belgium | Denmark | 2-0 |
| Austria | Belgium | 1-0 |
| Belgium | Austria | 1-0 |
| Belgium | Belarus | 24/09/26 |
| Belgium | Wales | 28/09/26 |
| Denmark | Belgium | 06/10/26 |
| Standings in Group I | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M | W | G | V | +/- | Pts | ||
| 1. | Belgium | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | +9 | 10 |
| 2. | Austria | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | -1 | 7 |
| 3. | Denmark | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 7 |
| 4. | Wales | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | -10 | 6 |
| 5. | Belarus | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | -1 | 4 |
The group winners from the nine pools, along with the best runner-up, will qualify directly for the final tournament. The remaining runners-up will compete for the final four spots. The European Championship will take place in June 2027, hosted by Albania and Serbia, who have already qualified.
Belgium’s next qualifying match is scheduled for September 24, 2026, against Belarus. Following that, they will face Wales on September 28, 2026 and conclude their qualifying campaign with a trip to Denmark on October 6, 2026. Fans can follow the team’s progress and find official updates on the UEFA website.
What are your thoughts on Duranville’s resurgence? Share your predictions for tonight’s match in the comments below!
