During the FIFA World Cup of 2002, when players had to contend with intense Japanese and Korean humidity along with the pressure of playing in the first Asian-based finals, England scampered past Denmark 3-0 in the second round to set up a tie against the victor from Brazil vs. Belgium.
English-based media went wild. “We can go all the way”, screamed the red-tops; “Our Lions can roar again like ‘66”. But, of course, the small print to these declarations proffered that Belgiummust first beat the Samba boys and then, obviously, we defeat the Belgians. In reality, a side inspired by the legendary Marc Wilmots (who achieved the feat of scoring in every group game) lost to Brazil…but only just. A seemingly-valid goal was denied and the men in yellow danced to a 1-0 victory. That same beat saw them pastEngland, and to eventually hoist the trophy.
“Poor little Belgium”, seemed to be the general reaction. England fans turned on the ref, Jamaican representative Peter Prendergast, stating that had he allowed the goal and Belgium progressed then the Three Lions could have obviously achieved what favourites Brazil shouldn’t have done, and defeat their fellow Europeans.
Today, having not qualified for a major tournament since, that near-victory againstBrazilis Belgian football’s last taste of the big time. Not for much longer though. The small European nation is mimicking neighbours Germanyand producing talented, quality footballers like never before. The latest of whom, after securing a big money move, scored a decisive Champions League qualifying goal this week.
Unless you really scrutinised the gossip columns around early 2009, the prodigious Axel Witsel is not a name that Premier League fans should be familiar with. He was tenuously linked with a move from his hometown club of Standard Liège to Martin O’Neill’s Aston Villa, but nothing came to fruition. Since then, the wily midfielder (playing in a position not dissimilar to Wilmots) carried on churning out great performances and formed a league-winning partnership with Marouane Fellaini (that same comical-looking robust midfielder that Everton fans now hold dear).
Alongside other ‘wunderkind’ Steven Defour, he seized five honours all before his 23rd birthday. In amongst all that, he even stepped up to score a winning penalty that decided the 2008-2009 Belgian Jupiler Pro League. So how did Standard manage to keep hold of him?
This summer, their time with the part-Martiniquais was up; Benfica tabled a sizeable offer and Witsel, and Standard, duly abided. He had won many things with the Liège outfit, and this transfer was a natural, understandable progression (although few doubt that he could cut his teeth in a more reputable league; his creative-yet-combative game would suit an Italian side). He wasted little time in endearing himself to theLisbonfaithful, namely in the form of decisive goals against FC Twente this week. With Benfica 2-1 down from the away first leg, Witsel delivered a sublime performance and two goals that carried Benfica through to a 3-1 victory (5-3 on aggregate) and the lucrative group stages.
Witsel is not alone in showing what a precocious, Belgian talent he is. The aforementioned Fellaini has been delivering sterling performances since David Moyes (uncharacteristically) paid out £15 million for him in August 2008. ManchesterCityfans believe that vice-captain Vincent Kompany was of equal importance to Carlos Tevez in last season’s vanquishing of the FA Cup. Chelsearecently signed 19-year-old goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. And you must surely have seen Eden Hazard’s name in the papers this summer, as Arsenal (and other European football luminaries) fight to prise him away fromLille. The only exception to this list: probably best not to mention Antony Vanden Borre toPortsmouth fans.
So what can we expect from this unexpected crop of vastly-gifted youngsters? At the moment, nothing. Belgiumteams of recent years have mustered up limp, lifeless, mediocre performances, resulting in Belgian expectations being at an all-time low, along the lines of: “Well, they can’t do any worse than last year”. But this may prove beneficial in the long term, as there is decreased pressure on their shoulders. They can continue summoning these spellbinding performances at club level because surely, inevitably, it will transfer to the national side. Who knows, they may soon be capable of beating Brazil…and, shock horror, England too.
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