Belgium, the great absentee from the Euro

This Championship will be no major absences as that of England in 2008: they are all that one would expect as required. Yes miss the appointment in Ukraine and Poland combined strengths such as Turkey and Serbia, however, the absence is most surprising in this tournament is an unusual choice in these matters as Belgium, which is that if we consider the great generation that has emerged in recent years and much stranger who never got reserve a place among the participants. In this post we'll talk about the players that are standing out and the reasons why he failed to qualify for Euro.

In Belgium memory, in the nineties, a great goalkeeper and Preud'homme, a talented midfielder and Scifo and most dangerous attackers as Luc Nilis, Degryse or Brazilian-born Luis Oliveira Ayrton, but not as complete a generation like the present, from which has emerged a large number of players of great quality for which the most powerful clubs in Europe have already expressed interest. No wonder that Belgium is excited about her national team, although not participating in the Euro has created an letdown. In any case, I will not say that Belgium is eligible for one day win a big tournament, or maybe, who knows, depends on its evolution, but has great options for a selection to consider to do battle in the coming years .

Under the direction of Georges Leekens, Belgium failed to qualify in a group that were Germany, Turkey, Austria, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan, a competitive group in which Germany was intractable beating every one of the parties, but that does not was an excuse, because Belgium was unable to defeat either Turkey in its two matches. He won four games, drew three and lost three. He lost the two games against Germany and one from Turkey, tied to the Ottomans and to Austria and the lace was a tie in Azerbaijan. Finally finished third with 15 points, two from Turkey, which also failed classification in the playoffs.

After qualifying, Leekens left office and his place is on an interim basis Marc Wilmots, another good player Belgian nineties. For the future sounds like a classic Eric Gerets, currently coach of Morocco. The main concern of the future coach will run to this magnificent group of players as a team and define a style of play after the tumbling dice in the classification stage where they have spent the tap on the counter through the game in the bands, which have good ends. Another issue will be to find a solution to the sides, they are the places where they have less effective. It will also be a vital issue to make the most of a few players with a tremendous quality but a bit cold on the pitch.

Its most prominent members

We begin with the goal inhabited by the most known player of this generation: Atletico goalkeeper Courtois, who has completed a great season with Atletico. On loan from Chelsea, Courtois will continue at least another year at the Calderon, where he met with flying the difficult task of filling De Gea. At 20, is shown as a very safe keeper and his height 1.98 allows a good passing game and does not preclude being agile in goal. However it has not been able to establish the undisputed position of the selection, which has been one of the tasks left pending Leekens and that speaks highly of Simon Mignolet, keeper of 23 years of Sunderland. It also has a good height (1'93) and like Courtois, does not preclude having great reflexes.

Belgium overrun plant walks. We begin by Kompany, who is only 26 years but has since 2006 providing great performance since leaving the course Anderlecht to Hamburg. Two years later signed by the City, just before the arrival of the sheikhs, and is among the few survivors of time and one of the key pieces of equipment. Good defensive midfielder, is central when its qualities shine more and one of the best in the Premier. Very strong physically, only its concentration errors are causing some trouble. It also has a good addition in the game to pieces thanks to its 1.90: thus came the goal that gave the City Premier half against United. There are several clubs interested in his services, including the club, but has said he wants to stay at Etihad Stadium.

There are also three plants with several things in common: their inception in Ajax, quality and ability to get the ball played. Are Vermaelen, Vertonghen (started in midfield) and Alderweireld. The first is 26 and plays for Arsenal when injuries do not prevent it. Central lefty too technical, just some sloppiness in the brand undermine their capacity. Vertonghen and Alderweireld are the central couple of Ajax, but it seems that Vertonghen (25 years) has sealed his move to Tottenham for 12 million. Also Barcelona, ​​Arsenal and Juventus were interested in him. A Alderweireld, 23, also will have plenty of offers.

Besides Kompany, Vertonghen, Alderweireld and Vermaelen, Belgium account for the center of defense with veterans Simons (35 years, Nuremberg) and Van Buyten (34 years, Bayern Munich), and also with Lombaerts, 27 and the Zenit since 2007. It is on the side where problems arise, good test is the last friendly against England, where a midfielder as Gillet (Anderlecht) highlighting more offensive than defensive matters, had to occupy the right side. The left was Vertonghen thing, because the surplus power and lack of side. Lombaerts and Vermaelen also can occupy that flank, although its site is at the center. Pocognoli, Standard Liege, seemed the recipient of this post, but it seems to have stalled.

The midfield is about two of the best players of this generation: Witsel and Fellaini. The first is 23 and plays for Benfica, while the second is at Everton and has 24. Witsel not include both field and Fellaini but has more a little more foresight when playing the ball, while Fellaini has more travel, more power and arrival, which has allowed him to play a game as a second striker.

Witsel did not start with a good start in professional football when he played in the Standard, after breaking his leg Wasilewski, Anderlecht being punished severely for it. However, contrary to what was said then, Witsel is a tough player, but this was an isolated incident. Today is a footballer quoted by Mourinho who has been interested and that Benfica, as usual, will not come off easily, where it forms a good double pivot with Spanish Javi Garcia. Fellaini also rumored interest from Arsenal and Chelsea, Everton although you paid for the 18 million non-standard shall facilitate his departure.

The umpire is Defour, who seemed destined to become the benchmark in the Belgian midfield, however, evolution has not been as expected. At 24, he signed last year by the Porto Portuguese club after paying 13 million Standard (where, as you see, has left much of this great generation) by him and by the French central Mangala. Class player with good vision and powerful shot, but it costs alone bear the weight in the midfield, being rather a complement to the lighthouse on your computer.

Nor in the lack extreme quality people in Belgium, although there are many skilled players who prefer the left to find the inward diagonal: the case of Mertens, Chadli and De Bruyne. Mertens is 25 and plays in the PSV , Where he completed a superb season in the Eredivisie scoring 21 goals and providing 14 assists. In 2009, when he played in Utrecht, and was voted second best player in the championship behind Luis Suarez. The PSV paid 13 million for him and Strootman, Dutch footballer good present and better future, a large operation for the whole of Philips. It aims to Inter, but the PSV not let him go for less than 15 million.

De Bruyne is 20 and is owned by Chelsea since last winter, although he left Genk on loan until end of season and will surely be given another year. It cost eight million. You can play on either flank or as a midfielder but prefers the left, where he brings on his last pass, good heart, speed and dribbling. Its main drawback is his physical frailty and no contribution defensive aspects to be polished if you want to find a place at Stamford Bridge. For its part, Chadli is a left end of 22 years belonging to Twente. His size does not rule out a player quickly and overflow that also has a strong shot and good figures scorers. I wanted to Malaga and Bayern Munich, but it seems to end in England if someone pays 10 million for his tab.

We approach the most offensive starting positions Dembélé, Fulham. With 25 years is sought by Manchester, Arsenal and Tottenham, and the London club will sell for twice that paid six kilos in 2010 to AZ Alkmaar. Forward turned-midfielder Martin Jol, has good vision and dribbling, but lacks goal. Vossen is a classic front: a nine not noted for their physical or quality, but for his presence when dialing. A forward ready with smell, you know to be well placed, a finisher. Is 23 and plays for Genk, where he has scored a number of goals he has allowed his debut with the selection.

Kevin Mirallas is 24 and plays for Olympiacos, where this year has won league and cup, was voted best player of the tournament and scored 20 goals, this being the facet of scoring, the more he resisted. Spanish father, he can play both center and bands and is a versatile forward with overflow and speed. Seems to end in the Premier League, where he has not succeeded Lukaku wearing the shirt of Chelsea. 19 year old striker has had stiff competition from players like Drogba, Torres or Sturridge and barely had minutes on the European champions. Next year will loan at Werder Bremen as part of the transfer of Marko Marin. Forward powerful and big, but does not prevent him move around the area of ​​attack. The future potential nine of Belgium, where he has played 12 games.

And we end with the icing on the cake, the standard of all of this generation: Eden Hazard, the most talented player in the country since Enzo Scifo. At just 20 years and has twice been elected best player in the French league championship and won the main architect of the Lille a year ago. Pure talent, destabilizing, has a goal, and no doubt last pass ever in addressing the rapporteur looking one on one. Play Ten or starting from the left. It has already signed for Chelsea , which has paid 40 million for his transfer and charge a succulent contract where 11 million per year. As you can see in this post, Chelsea has become a branch of this new generation Belgian: Courtois, Lukaku, De Bruyne and Hazard are now its members, as well as concern for others as Fellaini.

This is the new batch of emerging Belgian football, a generation that has all the ingredients to enjoy a country that has been dormant in the big tournaments and those who only need to cook with guarantees to deliver a meal in a World or Euro, as well as the joys that are already given and given in their respective clubs. Belgium is football for a while.