The Red Flames know what they have to do: Belgium plays against Hungary in the play-offs to remain in the A-division Nations League

Ives Serneels’ team competed in the last group phase until the last match day for the group victory and participation in the Final Four. In their sixth and final group match, however, the Belgians lost 4-0 to the Netherlands, which secured the group win. Third, the Red Flames have to play barrages to keep their place in the A division. Hungary was runner-up in the B division.

The first and second leg is scheduled between February 21 and 28. Hungary first plays at home, the return takes place in Belgium. If the Flames eliminate Hungary, they will play in the A division in the next Nations League. If they fail to do so, they will enter the B division. If the Red Flames can maintain themselves in the A division, the road to the 2025 European Championship in Switzerland will be a lot easier. The qualifications are divided according to the Nations League system, with three divisions. In the A division, the first two of the four groups qualify directly for the European Championship, while numbers three and four play jump-offs (which consist of two rounds). The European Championships can only be reached via jump-offs via the B division.

In the Final Four, the Netherlands was paired with world champion Spain on Monday in the semi-finals, which will be played on February 23. France takes on Germany. The final and the third place match are scheduled for February 28. The two finalists receive a ticket for the Olympic Games in Paris. If France, which has already qualified as host country, reaches the final, the third place will qualify for the Games.

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Serneels wants to fulfill the role of favorite

The national coach believes that his team is favorite against Hungary in the play-offs at the end of February for retention in the A division of Nations League football for women’s teams. He stated this on Monday after the draw.

The Flames could be drawn against Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and Hungary. Hungary emerged from the draw at the draw in Nyon, Switzerland. “For me, Serbia was the strongest opponent on paper, closely followed by Hungary,” Serneels said. “It is very clear to us: we are favorites against the Hungarians. And we must try to live up to that role of favorite.”

The Belgians last played against Hungary more than eleven years ago. In the qualifications for the 2013 European Championship, Belgium won 2-1 in Dessel in September 2011, and earlier that year Serneels was appointed national coach. In Szombathely the Belgians won 1-3 in June 2012. “Hungary is not an unknown team for me,” said Serneels. “Over the past few days I have looked at the cores of the four possible opponents. There are some players in Hungary who were there eleven years ago and are now the more experienced players. They also have five players in the German league, in addition to a player from Inter Milan and one from Fiorentina. So let’s certainly not misunderstand the opponent. From the two matches we played against Hungary, I remember that it was a tough team.”

Hungary first plays at home, the return takes place in Belgium. “The most important thing for me is that the home match can certainly take place in Leuven, taking into account the calendar of the teams that play in the stadium,” Serneels said.

Finally, Serneels looked back on the past Nations League campaign. The Belgians came third in a tough group, although they competed for the group victory until the last match day. “It has been a good to very good campaign. After the home victories against the Netherlands and England, many people, including myself, lost their minds for a while. Now we have to be ready for Hungary. We expect a different kind of competitions. But it is a challenge to also bring this to a successful conclusion.”

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