CHARLEROI - Today, July 22nd, Team Belgium U19 Men delivered a strong performance by scoring a point against the Germans at the European Championship in Charleroi and not allowing a single goal against. U19 thus achieved a first and historic victory. It is the first time the team has beaten the Germans. A real boost!
Coach Jonathan Lejeune is therefore quite satisfied with his team's performance. "The players stuck to the tactical plan that was laid out. Combine and maintain control. For the spectators maybe not immediately the most beautiful match to watch. We were only able to score at the start of the second period. Beyond that, it we needed to close the ranks. Psychologically, this win was extremely important as it was the first victory since we participated in the European Championships.
I am therefore more than proud. On matches like this, as a coach you then must make decisions about who does play and who stays on the bench. In that area, too, the boys are learning to work as a team. We have talent. In the future, that is very much going to be evident."
The coaching staff had prepared thoroughly for the game against Germany. "We did a video analysis of the game against Spain. That was quite a good game by our boys, regardless of the defeat. Everyone suspected a walk-over by the strong Spain, however, it wasn’t. We mainly emphasized what went well, did a decent pep talk so all noses were pointed in the same direction. That clearly worked."
The SEN Women also had a strong tournament day. They beat Ireland by double digits. A one-way traffic game that resulted in 12-0 numbers on the scoreboard.
Results of day 2
U19 Men
BEL vs. GBR: 0-2
SEN Women
BEL vs. IRL: 12-0