Belgium's women qualify for Euro 2025 with play-off win over Ukraine
Belgium's women qualified for Euro 2025 with a 2-1 win over Ukraine on Tuesday night. It is the third time in a row that the Red Flames have qualified for the tournament.
Finishing third in the group stage of qualifying, Belgium had to survive two rounds of play-offs to book their place at next summer's tournament. After beating Greece 5-0 over two games in October, they qualified by beating Ukraine 2-1 on Tuesday to win 4-1 on aggregate.
"It's been a long road, with difficulties because the group stage was difficult, but we did what we had to do in the play-offs," said winning goal scorer Tessa Wullaert. "It was definitely not our best game (...) but we won and that's the most important thing. We qualified and we should be happy with that."
Third European tournament
Euro 2025 in Switzerland will be the third consecutive European tournament for the Red Flames. Their European debut in 2017 ended in the group stage. At Euro 2022 in England, the Red Flames exceeded expectations by reaching the quarter-finals.
"Three qualifiers in a row, that's unforgettable," coach Ives Serneels said on Tuesday. "First of all, it is important for Belgian football. Our first qualification was historic, but to qualify three times in a row is something you never forget. We had a great time in England a few years ago and we want to repeat that in Switzerland."
"Our first qualification was historic, but to qualify three times in a row is something you never forget"
Euro 2025 will be held in July, with the groups drawn on 16 December. The 16 teams will be divided into four groups, with the top two from each group progressing to the quarter-finals. Belgium will be placed in pot three, avoiding the Netherlands, Sweden and Norway.
© BELGA PHOTO VIRGINIE LEFOUR
Related news
