World Cup: A Very Bitter Silver Medal For The Crimson Lions

The defeat of the Crimson Lions within the closing in opposition to Germany is extraordinarily painful for the defending champions. However it will likely be important to digest this disappointment as rapidly as doable so as to give attention to the subsequent aims, which can arrive this summer time.

Analyse -By Laurent Toussaint Revealed on 01/29/2023 at 21:39 Studying time: 4 minutes

Belgium dreamed of a double however broke their tooth in opposition to an impressively calm and environment friendly German group. Led to the rating, the longer term world champions as soon as once more reversed the pattern and took benefit of their optimistic spiral on which they’ve been browsing for the reason that finish of the group stage to supply themselves a third title of world champion (after 2002 and 2006). 

A merciless shoot-out defeat for the Crimson Lions who suffered their solely setback of the match on this closing. Objective Keeper of the match, Vincent Vanasch stated, “We nonetheless confirmed plenty of character to grab the shoot-outs. That first half was wonderful. Undoubtedly the perfect of the match. However then it was very dangerous. All the pieces turned of their favour. Often, statistically, once I cease 2 makes an attempt in Shoot-outs, it’s sufficient. However that was not the case this time round”. 

Unusually when every little thing appeared below management, the Olympic champions misplaced monitor of the sport after the break. Spectacular and efficient, the Belgians ought to have stored management of the ball within the second half however they failed. And the Germans took benefit of each loophole within the defensive block to punish the Lions. However for the coach, Michel van den Heuvel, there may be clearly no query of stating any duty after this failure. “Everybody should be tremendous pleased with what this group has achieved. I’ve no phrases to explain how a lot they’ve drawn on their sources throughout this match. We suffered a number of blows of destiny and we managed to handle that. Bowing at Shoot-outs is clearly extraordinarily painful. I nonetheless can’t clarify this hunch after the break. 

The Crimson Lions wished to jot down a brand new chapter of their magnificent historical past

However this defeat can not erase the nice match achieved by the Crimson Lions. The providers provided have definitely lacked consistency and consistency, at instances, however the outcomes have all the time been there. “We must study the teachings of this failure”, continued Vincent Vanasch, very philosophical regardless of the disillusionment. “We confirmed superb issues throughout this World Cup. You definitely don’t need to throw all of it away. We noticed that we might rating from the penalty spot regardless of the absence of Alex Hendrickx after the group stage. It was even one in every of our strengths. I additionally noticed plenty of character. Some claimed that we had been slightly outdated however we managed, every time, to emerge bodily on the finish of the assembly. That is additionally price stating. »Some of the downcast gamers was definitely Victor Wegnez, awarded as the perfect midfielder within the competitors. The Brussels resident was moved and inconsolable. “It’s very sophisticated to swallow as a result of it’s 4 years of sacrifices that go up in smoke. 4 years of laborious work, day by day journeys to Antwerp, coaching within the chilly and the rain, journeys overseas, 5 months out of 12, throughout which we don’t see our households. This defeat has a really bitter style. This silver medal can be removed from sufficient. We’re the largest group in Belgian sport in spite of everything our successes. However we nonetheless wished to jot down a brand new chapter on this great story. It’s laborious to say however this match is a failure even when we now have simply performed one other World Cup closing. »The brand new vice-world champions should nonetheless be very pleased with their journey in India. And the frustration will rapidly need to be digested as a result of the subsequent deadlines are already at their doorstep with a Euro in August. The Crimson Lions will as soon as once more need to be resilient and exhibit all their energy of character within the face of adversity. Solely on this means can they resume their march ahead and win new titles.