Belgium — Ukraine’s Opponent in Group Stage
The UEFA European Championship, commonly known as the Euros, is one of the most prestigious football tournaments in the world. Every four years, the best national teams from Europe compete for the title of European champions. This year, the Euros will be held in 12 different cities across Europe, with the final taking place at Wembley Stadium in London. Among the 24 teams participating in the tournament, Belgium and Ukraine will face each other in the group stage.
Belgium, also known as the Red Devils, is currently ranked number one in the FIFA World Rankings. They have a strong and talented squad, with players like Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku, and Eden Hazard leading the team. In the previous Euros, Belgium reached the quarter-finals, and they will be looking to go even further this time around.
On the other hand, Ukraine is not a team to be underestimated. They have qualified for the Euros for the third time in a row and have shown significant improvement in recent years. Led by their captain Andriy Yarmolenko, Ukraine will be looking to make a statement in this tournament.
The match between Belgium and Ukraine will take place on June 13th at the Johan Cruyff Arena in Amsterdam. This will be the first time these two teams will face each other in a major tournament. Both teams will be looking to start their campaign on a positive note and secure three points in their opening match.
However, there is some news that has caused a stir in the Belgian camp. Thibaut Courtois, the first-choice goalkeeper for Belgium, has not been included in the squad for the Euros. This decision was made by the Belgian coach Roberto Martinez, who has opted for Simon Mignolet and Matz Sels as the two goalkeepers for the tournament. This is the first time in his career that Courtois has not been selected for a major tournament.
Courtois, who plays for Real Madrid, has been an integral part of the Belgian national team for many years. He has made 83 appearances for his country and has been a key player in their recent success. His absence will surely be felt by the team, but Martinez has expressed his confidence in the two goalkeepers he has chosen.
This decision has caused a lot of speculation and debate among fans and experts. Some believe that Courtois’ recent form has not been up to the mark, while others think that Martinez has made a mistake by not including him in the squad. However, the coach has made it clear that this decision was made purely based on footballing reasons and not due to any personal issues.
Despite this setback, Belgium remains one of the favorites to win the tournament. They have a strong and experienced squad, and their players are in top form. They will be looking to make a statement in their opening match against Ukraine and show that they are serious contenders for the title.
On the other hand, Ukraine will be looking to cause an upset and start their campaign with a win. They have a young and talented team, and they will be eager to prove themselves on the big stage. The match between Belgium and Ukraine promises to be an exciting one, with both teams having a lot to play for.
In conclusion, the match between Belgium and Ukraine will be a highly anticipated one. Both teams have a lot of quality and will be looking to make a strong start to their Euro 2020 campaign. The absence of Courtois will surely be felt by Belgium, but they have enough talent in their squad to overcome this setback. As for Ukraine, they will be looking to make a statement and show that they are a force to be reckoned with. Football fans around the world will be eagerly waiting for this match, and it promises to be a thrilling encounter.
