Going for three points Belgium!
Belgium and England are Spain’s first two opponents in this season’s edition of the Nations League, which begins today for Montse Tomé’s side. Determined to defend the title they lifted almost a year ago in Seville after a 2-0 victory over France at La Cartuja Stadium, the national team take on Belgium today in search of their first three points in Group B.
Belgium, led by Tessa Wullaert, have a new head coach in the shape of Icelandic manager Elísabet Gunnarsdóttir. At just 25 years old, following a serious injury, this former player from Reykjavík hung up her boots to become a coach (something she had already been doing with youth teams since the age of 16). She went on to become the youngest person to manage a top-flight team in Iceland, IBV. Gunnarsdóttir is also the first foreigner to coach the Belgian national team, having been named Iceland’s Coach of the Year four times. She has only been in the role for a month and will make her debut in the visitors’ dugout tomorrow.
Montse Tomé stated in the pre-match press conference that, given the uncertainty surrounding what kind of game the new Belgian team would play, they had prepared for all possible scenarios. One of Belgium’s main attacking threats is Inter Milan forward Tessa Wullaert, who, at 31, is the all-time top scorer for her national team with 87 goals and the second most-capped player with 139 appearances.
Today’s match at the Ciutat de València stadium has an added significance, as all proceeds will go towards helping those affected by the devastating storms that hit Valencia last October.
Spain and Belgium have faced each other 18 times, with Spain winning 11 matches, drawing 3, and losing 4. Tonight’s game will be their 19th encounter, and it won’t be the last—aside from the return leg in this UEFA Women’s Nations League qualifying campaign, both teams are also set to meet in the group stage of the European Championships in Switzerland next summer.
Spain have scored 12 goals against Belgium in their last three meetings, keeping a clean sheet in all of the matches. Memorable moments include Salma Paralluelo’s hat-trick in the 7-0 victory during European Championships qualifying, as well as Teresa Abelleira’s stunning goal from the halfway line in their last clash at the Riazor.
Despite past results, Irene Paredes insisted there is no room for complacency, saying: “We’re not calm, just focused on the match.” “Our goal is to win tomorrow and keep moving forward,” she said in the pre-match press conference, underlining the importance of getting off to a winning start.
Kick-off at 18:45 – Spain vs Belgium, the excitement of a new chapter for the squad!
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