The Belgian U19 team won its third and final group match in the qualifying round for the 2024 European Championship in Northern Ireland on Tuesday. Coach Wesley Sonck’s team defeated Ireland 1-0 in Rrogozhinë, Albania, and advanced to the elite round as group winners. Tristan Degreef of the RSCA Futures scored the winning goal.
The young Red Devils drew 1-1 against Slovenia in their first match of the qualifying round. This was followed by a 2-0 win against home country Albania, which organizes this group. Belgium wins its group with seven points, ahead of Slovenia (5 points). Ireland (4 points) and Albania (0 points) close the row.
The qualifying round had thirteen groups, of which the top two each advanced to the elite round, as did the best third across all groups. Portugal is already assured of a place in the elite round based on its ranking. The European Championships are scheduled to take place in Northern Ireland in the summer of next year (July 15-28). Eight countries are participating: the seven group winners of the elite round and Northern Ireland, which as organizer has already secured its ticket.