Belgium-Holland is a match valid for the group stage of the European Under-21 Championship 2023 and is played on Wednesday at 18:00: news, formations and predictions.
The 2023 edition of the European Under-21 Championship, organised by Romania and Georgia, kicks off with an intriguing derby between Belgium and the Netherlands. Lined up in Group A, apparently one of the most balanced groups, the two teams seem to be a step below Portugal, finalists in 2021 and among the main candidates for victory.
This group also includes hosts Georgia, whose chances of making it through the round and playing in the knockout phase seem negligible. However, Belgium and the Netherlands should not be underestimated: these two football movements have always produced plenty of interesting youngsters over the years, so it would not be a real surprise to see one of the two selections go all the way. Belgium has never managed to win the European Championship in the past and has only qualified twice in recent editions. In contrast, the Netherlands, now led by Erwin van de Looi, triumphed in 2006 and 2007, and in Hungary and Poland two years ago, they went all the way to the semi-finals. Van de Looi is relying on a solid defence, which in the qualifiers barely conceded three goals in 10 matches and in the last friendlies has kept its goal unbeaten three times out of five. He can count on valuable players, including Bologna striker Zirkzee, but also on Ajax’s Brobbey and Bayern Munich’s Gravenberch. Also watch out for Summerville, who made his mark with Leeds in the last Premier League.
Belgium’s star player is Milan’s Charles De Ketelaere, who is looking for redemption after a difficult year with the Rossoneri, in which he failed to live up to expectations. Scoring goals, on the other hand, will be the prerogative of Lois Openda, Lens’ star player and author of 21 goals in Ligue 1.
Openda
The Prediction
A match that perhaps already has the makings of a play-off, as first place in the group seems to belong to Portugal. The Netherlands, however, seem to have something more than Belgium and should avoid defeat in a match that promises goals, given the amount of talent that characterises the two selections from the waist up.
Belgium-Holland official line-ups
- BELGIUM U21 (4-3-1-2): Lammens; Patris, Debast, De Winter, De Cuyper; Matazo, Keita, Raskin; De Ketelaere; Openda, Vertessen.
- OLAND U21 (4-3-3): Scherpen; Rensch, van de Ven, van Hecke, Maatsen; Ekkelenkamp, Gravenberch, Taylor; Summerville, Brobbey, Zirkzee.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-2
