Burden of expectation removed makes Belgium dangerous opponents

Belgium threatened a major trophy success over the last decade with a ‘golden generation’ of players but proved unable to live up to expectations.

Now the tag is no longer applicable, and the pressure to succeed significantly lightened, this could be the tournament for the team from the lowlands to emerge from the shadows and finally win the European Championship.

The burden of being the top team in the FIFA rankings for some three years sat uncomfortably on the squad and their quarter-final exit at the last Euros was a huge disappointment.

That was exacerbated by a disastrous World Cup in Qatar two years ago but might prove a blessing in disguise as a fresher side have emerged for the 2024 finals in Germany.

While Eden Hazard, Dries Mertens and Axel Witsel are among those who have departed the squad, talisman Kevin De Bruyne remains to lead a team of much potential in Group E where they take on Romania, Slovakia and Ukraine.

They open their campaign in Frankfurt against Slovakia on June 17 and will be expected to advance from the first round without much bother.

Under their Italian-born, German-raised coach Domenico Tedesco, Belgium went unbeaten as they topped their qualifying group with six victories and two draws, finishing a point ahead of fellow qualifiers Austria.

"This group loves each other and that makes me feel very good," the coach said. "Both the young and experienced players are really hungry. That is very important."

BUST UP

Tedesco has already signed a contract extension on the back of the qualifying performances, despite a bust-up with Thibaut Courtois that is likely to see the Real Madrid goalkeeper miss out on the tournament.

Courtois walked out on the squad after being overlooked for the captaincy last June,