The world cup is already a long time memory! But in Belgium the worlcup of the past year in Russia is one to remember for ever. I doubt it that we will ever record a better result!

Now it is time to forget about the Bronze generation and focuss on the European Championship of next year!

Belgium has been placed in Qualification group I. And everybody in Belgium doesn't expect anything less than a easy qualification for the European Championship!

Group I

If we look at the group I, I do think that there are 2 clear favorites and 1 outsides to qualify for the European Championships! Russia and Belgium are in my opinion the favorites and Scotland the dark horse!

Russia overperformed during the world cup in own country and the question is how they will do in this Qualifying Campaign!
Scotland just didn't make it to Russia. But they did come close. They tied in points with Slovakia and were eleminated on the goal difference! Belgium and Russia could loose some point away in Scotland!

All respect for Cyprus, Kazakhstan and San Marino but they shouldn't stand a chance in this group!

The Belgium team

Fellaine announced a weeks ago that he will not be availbale for the Belgium tean anymore. We do thank him for everything he did for the team! For the moment he is the only player who did quit after the World Cup! The others probably think that there is a chance on becoming European Champion!

But for the first game, a lot of players are injured!
The most important ones are Kompany, Witsel and Debruyne! I always had my doubts about how useful Witsel was for the Red Devils, but he did prove his point during the World Cup. And his beginning of the season in Dortmund was outstanding!

But it doesn't stop there! Also Dembele told Martinez that he was injured. I don't have any prove but I do think that he didn't want to take the plain from China to Belgium to sit on the bench!
On top of that our offensive winger Meunier also stayed at PSG!

Goalkeepers: Thibaut Courtois, Simong Mignolet, Matz Sels, Koen Casteels

Defenders: Toby Alderweireld, Dedryck Boyata, Jason Denayer, Brandon Mechele, Thomas Vermaelen, Jan Vertonghen

Midfielders: Yannick Carrasco, Timothy Castagne, Nacer Chadli, Leander Dendoncker, Dennis Praet, Youri Tielemans, Hans Vanaken

Forward: Christian Benteke, Eden Hazard, Thorgan Hazard, Adnan Januzaj, Dries Mertens, Leandro Trossard, Michy Batshuayi, Divock Origi

The opener

With the absence of some key players, it is finally time for some youngsters to prove that they are worth the selection for the Red Devils!

Strange than one year ago we had 2 of the best keepers of the world and since this weekend both are sitting on the bench at their teams. Still I do think that Courtois will start against Russia but his status isn't untouchable anymore!

Alderweireld and Vertonghen will probably start. I do think that Boyota also has a good chance being in he starting 11. The last defender is the question. I do think that he will start with Vermaelen. It would be too dangerous to keep him as a substitute, bringing on the pitch and maybe having to replace him again!

In the office department there isn't much choice after that Lukaku injured went back to Manchester. No doubt about it that Batshuayi will start! With Eden Hazard and Mertens as support!

In the midfield probably Tielemans and Dedoncker will start. I do hope that he doesn't choice Chadli or Carrasco. Both players had their changes and fail a lot during the last games! Vanaken in front of those two should be enough to keep at least one point at home against Russia!

Cheers,

Peter