© BELGIUM
The Red Flames start their campaign in the first edition of the Nations League in women’s football on Friday against the Netherlands in Leuven (8:30 PM). For national coach Ives Serneels, the establishment of this new competition, which is not without mention among men, is a positive step for women’s football.
“I am happy that UEFA has taken a decision in the general interest of women’s football,” he explained on Monday at the national football center in Tubize. “It is good to have countries of a similar level play against each other. Of course there are always teams that are weaker, but we can avoid high scores. That is not good publicity for women’s football.” The T1 was undoubtedly referring to the match against Armenia (19-0) in November 2021.
The Flames still have a lot to learn themselves, now that they are preparing for matches against vice world champions England and the Netherlands. “We have seen in recent months that there is a gap between these countries and the Red Flames. The biggest goal for us as a group is to close that gap. Reaching their level would be exceptional, but we have to remain realistic.”
However, there is no lack of ambition and Serneels hopes to “achieve a result” against the Dutch team on Friday. “First we have to think about this match, then about Scotland on Tuesday. We’ll see the rest later. We have entered what they call the ‘group of death’. I hope we can show something.”
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The Nations League is a springboard for the qualifications for the 2025 European Championship. “These matches are excellent for the team, for the young people who join, to get a taste of this level, to observe what can be improved. It is a moment for the players to address their weaknesses before the European Championship qualifiers in April.”
