Star-studded Belgium think ‘big’ at Euro

AFP, PARIS: Marc Wilmots’ Belgium are aiming to topple the established favourites at Euro 2016 and with stars like Eden Hazard and Kevin de Bruyne have the weapons to so.

Belgium have qualified for the European Championship finals for the first time since co-hosting the 2000 tournament.
They are in a tough Group E with Italy, Sweden and Irish Republic but Wilmots is eager for succeess.
“There’s no doubt that we have big ambitions; our aim must always be to reach the final,” coach Marc Wilmots told FIFA.com.
Thanks to a golden generation that has produced stars like skipper Hazard, De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and Thibaut Courtois, the ‘Red Devils’ have risen to number two in the world rankings behind Argentina.
“Favourites, no,” Wilmots cautioned. “France are playing at home, Spain, Germany and then maybe we’re just behind”.
Loaded with attacking talent they have been hit however by injuries to key defenders including Vincent Kompany, Bjorn Engels, Nicolas Lombaerts and Dedryck Boyata.
“The defenders who I have at my disposal are still very good players,” insisted Wilmots.
Conte farewell -
Belgium reached the last eight at the 2014 World Cup, without really excelling, before falling 1-0 to eventual finalists Argentina. It was too high a hurdle for what Wilmots called “easily the youngest of the quarter-finalists”.
Two years on, high home expectations are matched by a sense the time has arrived for the team to justify its world ranking.
“People will be waiting for Belgium and waiting for me (to deliver) but we’ll give our utmost,” said skipper Eden Hazard.
Belgium’s first Group E match is on June 13 in Lyon against Italy who they swept aside 3-1 in Brussels in November.
Italy are always a force to be reckoned with though and are expected to at least progress from the group, even if coach Antonio Conte might be distracted by his impending move to Chelsea following Euro 2016.

Star-studded Belgium think big at Euro

AFP, PARIS: Marc Wilmots Belgium are aiming to topple the established favourites at Euro 2016 and with stars like Eden Hazard and Kevin de Bruyne have the weapons to so. Belgium have qualified for the European Championship finals for the first time since co-hosting the 2000 tournament. They are in a tough Group E with Italy, Sweden and Irish Republic but Wilmots is eager for succeess. Theres no doubt that we have big ambitions; our aim must always be to reach the final, coach Marc Wilmots told FIFA.com. Thanks to a golden generation that has produced stars like skipper Hazard, De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and Thibaut Courtois, the Red Devils have risen to number two in the world rankings behind Argentina. Favourites, no, Wilmots cautioned. France are playing at home, Spain, Germany and then maybe were just behind. Loaded with attacking talent they have been hit however by injuries to key defenders including Vincent Kompany, Bjorn Engels, Nicolas Lombaerts and Dedryck Boyata. The defenders who I have at my disposal are still very good players, insisted Wilmots. Conte farewell - Belgium reached the last eight at the 2014 World Cup, without really excelling, before falling 1-0 to eventual finalists Argentina. It was too high a hurdle for what Wilmots called easily the youngest of the quarter-finalists. Two years on, high home expectations are matched by a sense the time has arrived for the team to justify its world ranking. People will be waiting for Belgium and waiting for me (to deliver) but well give our utmost, said skipper Eden Hazard. Belgiums first Group E match is on June 13 in Lyon against Italy who they swept aside 3-1 in Brussels in November. Italy are always a force to be reckoned with though and are expected to at least progress from the group, even if coach Antonio Conte might be distracted by his impending move to Chelsea following Euro 2016.