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Cyprus - Belgium (EC 2009 qualification match) on 26.03.2008

Result : 0-2

Events and lineups

Cyprus : Asprogenis, Dimitriou, Ioannou, Efthymiou, Shelis (77' Katsiaris), Panagi (86' Markou), Kyriakou (70' Dimitriou), Avraam, Christofi, Vattis, Pavlou

Belgium : Mignolet, Van Loo, Vandelannoite, Corstjens, Pocognoli, Odjidja-Ofoe (77' Goreux), De Mul, Vanden Borre, Yulu-Matondo (57' Rossini), Cordaro (13' Van Gyseghem), Lamah

Goals : 66' Rossini 0-1, 82' De Mul 0-2

Yellow cards : Van Gyseghem (28'), Vandelannoite (55'), Shelis (68'), Odjidja-Ofoe (75')



PCO/Comm. & Market.

Germany  - Belgium Olympic selection (friendly match) on 05.02.2008

Result : 2-1

Germany will resume their UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifying campaign next month in positive mood after defeating Belgium 2-1 in an international friendly in Koblenz.

Aogo strike
Belgium used the match as preparation for the Olympic Games and fielded a strong side bolstered by some of the players who, though no longer eligible for the Under-21s, led Belgium to the semi-finals of the UEFA European Under-21 Championship in the Netherlands last summer. Even so in front of 4,300 it was Germany who took command from the outset and duly went ahead on 25 minutes, Dennis Aogo firing in from the penalty spot after Ashkan Dejagah had been brought down in the area.

Germany press
Patrick Ebert, Dejagah and Marko Marin all squandered good chances to add to the lead as Belgium struggled to get a foothold in the game. It took the visiting side 35 minutes to draw a save from Germany goalkeeper Thorsten Kirschbaum, and they fell further behind soon after doing so. On 42 minutes Mesut Özil found Ebert, whose pass was turned into his own goal by Belgium's Laurent Ciman.

Late goal
Germany had further chances to add to the lead after the restart but it was Belgium who struck next, substitute Jeanvion Yulu-Matondo making the most of some uncharacteristically hesitant defending with four minutes to play to bring his side back into the game. It was too little too late as Germany held on to extend their unbeaten run to eight games. They next face Luxembourg at home on 25 March looking to move into top spot in Group 9. Belgium, who are second-bottom in Group 7, resume their campaign away to Cyprus the following day.

Events and lineups

Germany : Kirschbaum, Beck (46' Schwaab), Aogo (46' Bieler), Ebert (46' Özbek), Dejagah, Hummels, Özil (70' Schindler), Kruska, Rosenthal, Marin, Höwedes

Belgium : Steppe, Vanden Borre, Simaeys (72' Corstjens), Ciman, Mulemo (46' Witsel), Overmeire (56' Odjidja-Ofoe), De Mul, Haroun, De Sutter (56' Yulu-Matondo), De Smet (68' Moia), Pocognoli (68' Van Loo)

Goals : 25' Aogo 1-0, 40' Ciman 2-0 (own goal), 86' Yulu-Matondo 2-1

Belgium - Iceland (EC 2009 qualification match) on 20.11.2007

Result : 1-2

Match report by Berend Scholten

Iceland beat Belgium 2-1 to jump above their hosts into third place in the UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification Group 7.

Early damage
First-half strikes from Birkir Bjarnason and Arnor Smarason gave Iceland a 2-0 lead midway through the first half and it was not until ten minutes were left on the clock before Tom De Mul pulled one back for Belgium.

Crowd silencer
Bjarnason silenced the crowd at the Edmond Machtens Stadion when he gave the visitors the lead in the 15th minute after dribbling through the Belgian defence and firing home. Iceland then doubled their lead less than ten minutes later when Smarason drove in from 20 metres. De Mul reduced the deficit with a shot from just outside the penalty area and nearly grabbed an equaliser but was thwarted when away goalkeeper Haraldur Bjornsson saved his free-kick. Belgium have four points from five games and sit fourth in the five-team section while Iceland have six points from five games.

Events and lineups

Belgium : De Winter, Van Gyseghem (46' Vanden Borre), Vandelannoite, Corstjens, Moia, De Mul, Cordaro, (76' Vadis) Witsel, Pocognoli, Legear (46' Rossini), Yulu-Matondo

Iceland : Bjornsson, Adalsteinsson, Skulason, Thorisson, Jonasson, Bjarnason (89' Juliusson), Gunnarsson, Eyjolfsson, Gislason, Finnbogason (68' Sigthorsson), Smarason (90+1' Sigurdsson)

Goals: 15' Bjarnason 0-1, 25' Smarason 0-2, 81' De Mul 1-2

Yellow cards : Bjarnason (22'), Vandelannoite (43'), Gislason (60')

Match report by Michael Fiala

Michael Madl and Rubin Okotje scored two goals in the last ten minutes as Austria twice came from behind to claim a 3-2 victory against Belgium and take a significant step towards the 2009 UEFA European Under-21 Championship finals.

Outrageous lob
Semi-finalists in the Netherlands this summer, Belgium's aspirations of a repeat performance in Sweden took another major knock but it had started brightly as Jonathan Legear gave them a 13th-minute lead. The home side struggled to find a way back into the game but nevertheless went into half-time with parity restored courtesy of Harun Erbek's audacious 40-metre lob.

Dramatic end
Jeanvion Yulu-Mantondo restored Belgium's advantage seven minutes after the restart but Austria responded in determined fashion. With nine minutes remaining Madl made it 2-2 to set up a grandstand finish that reached its crescendo in the final minute when Okotje reacted quickest to hesitance in the Belgian penalty area to rifle in and delight the Pasching crowd.

Events and lineups

Austria : Olejnik, Baumgartlinger, Dober, Erbek, Hoffer (90+4' Zakany), Junuzovic, Klein, Madl, Sonnleitner, Stanislaw (74' Okotie), Stankovic (88' Reiter)

Belgium : Steppe, Van Gyseghem, Vandelannoite, Corstjens, Moia, Vermeulen (58' Sanchez D'avolio), De Mul, Yulu-Matondo (84' Rossini), Witsel, Legear, Vanden Borre

Goals : 13' Legear 0-1, 32' Erbek 1-1, 52' Yulu-Matondo 1-2, 81' Madl 2-2, 90' Okotie 3-2

Yellow cards : Hoffer (14'), Dober (22'), Klein (38'), Witsel (42'), Stanislaw (67'), Moia (90+1')

Red card : Sanchez D'avolio

Belgium scored four times in the final 22 minutes to complete an outstanding comeback and register their first win in UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifying Group 7.

Jendrišek double
The home side, who reached the last four at the finals in the Netherlands in June, had only taken one point from their first two games in qualifying so were desperate to get their campaign back on track. But their hopes appeared to be in tatters when Lukás Opiela struck on 21 minutes and Erik Jendrišek after 56 minutes to give the visitors a two-goal cushion.

Amazing turnaround
Belgium were given a glimmer of hope when Tom De Mul pulled a goal back on 68 minutes and they began to dream of an amazing escape when Anthony Vanden Borre levelled on 74 minutes with a penalty. The superb turnaround was completed with another Vanden Borre strike and a goal from Giuseppe Rossini inside the last four minutes. Belgium go to group leaders Austria, who they trail by three points, on Tuesday while Slovakia, who have two points from three games and sit bottom of the group, host Cyprus.

See the complete program, the results and the standings of the EC 2009 qualification matches

Events and lineups

Belgium : Ma-Kalambay, Goreux, Derijck, Corstjens, Pocognoli (39' Lamah), Witsel (77' Sanchez D'avolio), De Mul, Vanden Borre, Yulu-Matondo, Cordaro (61' Rossini), Moia

Slovakia : Kosicky, Pekarik (82' Nemcek), Mraz, Toth, Jonas, Pilar (66' Izvolt), Kucka, Maslo, Jurco, Opiela (86' Majtan), Jendrisek

Goals : 21' Opiela 0-1, 55' Jendrisek 0-2, 66' De Mul 1-2, 74' Vanden Borre 2-2, 86' Vanden Borre 3-2, 89' Rossini 4-2

Yellow cards : Goreux (17'), Pocognoli (31'), Mraz (73')

Iceland drew their third match in succession in the UEFA European Under-21 qualifying Group 7, this time 0-0 against Belgium in Akranes.

Spirited affair
Iceland had drawn against Slovakia on Friday and they had to settle for a single point again here in a spirited encounter that saw both teams receive three yellow cards. Belgium reached the semi-finals of the 2007 UEFA European Under-21 Championship but are still looking for their first win of the 2009 campaign after kicking off with defeat against Austria on Friday. They did have the ball in the net late on here but the strike was ruled out for offside. They next play Slovakia on 12 October while Iceland take on Austria four days after that

Events and lineups

Iceland : Bjornsson, Adalsteinsson (80' Thorisson), Skulason, Einarsson, Jonasson, B. Bjarnason, Gunnarsson, Vidarsson, Jonnson (69' Vilhjalmsson), Juliusson (69' Kristjansson), T. Bjarnason
 
Belgium : Ma-Kalambay, Goreux, Derijck, Corstjens, Pocognoli, Legear, Van Steenbrugghe, Witsel, Cordaro (80' Nainggolan), Lamah (80' Moia), Pollet

Yellow cards : Jonasson (9'), Pocognoli (15'), Gunnarsson (26'), Derijck (28'), Jonnson (36'), Legear (38'), Skulason (90')

Belgium's aspirations of emulating their 2007 UEFA European Under-21 Championship semi-final appearance were dealt an immediate blow as they started their Group 7 qualifying campaign with a 1-0 loss to Austria.

Schiemer header
Franz Schiemer was the hero for the visitors, rising to head a beautifully floated cross past goalkeeper Yves Makabu Ma-Kalambay as Belgium were left to rue missed opportunities. Tom De Mul, Jonathan Legear and Jeanvion Yulu-Matondo all had chances in a dominant first-half performance but even after Schiemer had put them behind, it was Makabu Ma-Kalambay that was the busier goalkeeper. Belgium did have one chance when Ibrahim Maaroufi struck from just outside the area but his effort failed to hit the target.

Events and lineups

Belgium : Ma-Kalambay, Goreux, Derijck, Corstjens, Pocognoli, De Mul, Maaroufi (85' Pollet), Legear (73' Capon), Witsel, Lamah, Yulu-Matondo

Austria : Olejnik, Dober, Schiemer, Hoheneder, Erbek, Baumgartlinger, Zakany, Kavlak, Stankovic (77' Hoffer), Sulimani (66' Hackmair), Okotie (90' Stanislaw)

Goal : 75' Schiemer 0-1

Yellow cards : Pocognoli (27'), Lamah (36'), Dober (83')

U-21 EC : Serbia - Belgium (U-21 EC) on 20.06.2007

Result : 2-0

Goals at the start and finish of the match from Aleksandar Kolarov and Dragan Mrdja took Serbia into their second UEFA European Under-21 Championship final in three attempts as they held off the challenge of a hard-working Belgium side in Arnhem.

Free-kick opener
Kolarov's fourth-minute free-kick evaded everyone to give Serbia an initiative they were never to cede in a tense semi-final, and when substitute Mrdja ran clear to add a second with three minutes left, a squad that includes eight players who lost at this stage with Serbia and Montenegro last summer as well as three who featured when the 2004 final went Italy's way, knew they would have the chance of another U21 showpiece. Belgium, particularly Marouane Fellaini, had their chances but too often their attacks foundered on the centre-back pairing of Branislav Ivanović and Duško Tošić. Serbia now take on the Netherlands in Groningen on Saturday night.

Kolarov shock
The previous game at this venue, between Italy and the Czech Republic on Sunday, had witnessed a fourth-minute goal and Belgium began as if seeking to better that. They could have taken the lead with barely 60 seconds played. Tom De Mul tricked his way down the left and, though Kevin Mirallas missed his low cross, the ball fell perfectly for Fellaini, back from suspension, who sliced over from close range. An early goal did arrive though at the wrong end from Belgium's point of view, as Dejan Milovanović was brought down midway inside the opposing half and Kolarov's curling free-kick deceived goalkeeper Logan Bailly – who was expecting a cross – and clipped the right-hand post to nestle in the back of the net.

Martens missed
The score rocked Belgium back on their heels and, without the invention of inspirational captain Maarten Martens – kept on the bench by knee and ankle injuries – they struggled to unpick Serbia's familiarly solid back line. They were largely restricted to long-range shooting, Anthony Vanden Borre flashing one such effort just too high, although the best opportunity of the opening 45 minutes again came at the other end. Djordje Rakić sprinted away on to Milovanović's through-ball but this time Bailly was alert to the danger and raced from his line to block the striker's first-time shot.

Blondel ambition
It took a last-ditch tackle from Jonathan Blondel to prevent Milovanović breaking clear at the onset of the second period, before the midfielder threatened in opposition territory, calling Damir Kahriman into action for the first time with a dipping attempt that the Serbia goalkeeper had to flick over the crossbar. That proved a sign of things to come as Belgium began to press forward and spurned a glorious chance to draw level a minute past the hour. Faris Haroun sprang the Serbia defence and sent Fellaini clean through, yet once more Kahriman was equal to the task and saved with his left leg.

Serbia hold out
Fellaini passed up another scoring invitation moments later, nodding Sepp De Roover's cross past the post when unmarked in front of goal, although Serbia captain Ivanović might have put the match beyond Belgium when he advanced upfield to skip past three challenges only to prod a shot straight at Bailly. Haroun then sliced Fellaini's knock-down harmlessly wide before substitute Mrdja confirmed that Serbia - European U21 champions as part as Yugoslavia in 1978 – would have the opportunity to be crowned kings of the continent again as he collected Milovanović's flicked header to slide a shot past Bailly.

Events and lineups

Serbia : Kahriman, Ivanovic, Rukavina, Kolarov, Smiljanic, Jankovic, Rakic (77' Mrdja), Milovanovic (90+1' Babovic), D. Tosic, Drincic, Z. Tosic (67' Basta)

Belgium : Bailly, De Roover, Lombaerts, Haroun, Mirallas, Vertonghen, De Mul (77' De Smet), Pocognoli (Martens 86'), Fellaini, Vanden Borre, Blondel

Goals : 4' Kolarov 1-0, 87' Mrdja 2-0

Yellow cards  : Rakic (23'), Tosic (80'), Lombaerts (82'), Basta (84'), Blondel (90+1')

Belgium - Netherlands (U-21 EC) on 16.06.2007

Result : 2-2

Sébastien Pocognoli's 70th-minute strike ensured Belgium joined the Netherlands in the UEFA European Under-21 Championship semi-finals after an entertaining draw between the Low Countries rivals.

Pocognoli goal
With Belgium trailing 2-1 at half-time and Group A rivals Portugal beating Israel, Jean-François De Sart's side looked to be heading out of the competition. But Pocognoli made sure of their safe passage and a place in the Olympic Games when he drove powerfully beyond Kenneth Vermeer with 20 minutes left. The draw means the Netherlands finish top of Group A on seven points, two ahead of Belgium. Foppe de Haan's team will play their semi-final here on Wednesday while Belgium travel to Arnhem to play Group B winners Serbia.

Bailly save
De Haan made four changes from the side that defeated Portugal, the most surprising being Ryan Donk's move out of central defence to take the holding midfield role in place of Hedwiges Maduro. What had not changed was the confidence running through the team and after only a minute, man of the moment Royston Drenthe had raised the pulse with a shot just wide. The Netherlands were already guaranteed a ticket to the semi-finals but there was no let-up here and their attacking intentions nearly paid off on six minutes when Donk's point-blank effort was blocked by goalkeeper Logan Bailly.

Mirallas opener
Suspensions and injury had forced Belgium coach De Sart's hand and his new-look lineup took time to settle. When they finally got hold of the ball, they quickly found their feet and scored with their first meaningful attack. Tom De Mul crossed for Kevin Mirallas who headed past Vermeer on nine minutes. For the first time in the tournament the Netherlands were behind, but not for long. In front of nearly 26,000 the Jong Oranje responded in the best possible way on 13 minutes, Ryan Babel playing in strike partner Maceo Rigters for a low shot past Bailly.

Drenthe strike
An earlier downpour had left a sodden surface yet it could not dampen enthusiasm for this derby as both teams created chances in an entertaining first half. By kick-off the sun had come out and once again it was shining brightly on the irrepressible Drenthe who curled in a free-kick on 37 minutes to put the Netherlands in front. Bailly got a full palm to it, but it seems nothing can stop the Feyenoord man at the moment. With Portugal leading Israel 2-0 at half-time, Belgium were facing elimination as they came out for the start of the second half.

Salvation
Mirallas flashed an early opportunity over and Faris Haroun came close with a header, yet they lacked urgency and the Netherlands almost went further ahead on 67 minutes when Bailly saved sharply to his right to keep out Daniël de Ridder's attempt. Out of the blue, though, Belgium drew level. Pocognoli pushed forward down the left and Vermeer could only push his rising shot into the goal. Belgium supporters were as surprised as they were ecstatic. Although Otman Bakkal had a deflected strike skim wide late on for the Netherlands, it was the Belgium fans who ended the contest in full voice. Arnhem and Beijing here they come.

Events and lineups

Belgique: Bailly, De Roover, Lombaerts, Overmeire, Haroun, Mirallas, Martens, De Mul (90' Witsel), Pocognoli (87' Mulemo), Ciman, Vanden Borre (65' Blondel)

Pays-Bas: Vermeer, Zuiverloon, Vlaar, Kruiswijk, Pieters, Drenthe (73' Beerens), Babel (79' Jenner), de Ridder, Rigters (63' Janssen), Donk, Bakkal

Buts: 9' Mirallas 1-0, 13' Rigters 1-1, 37' Drenthe 1-2, 70' Pocognoli 2-2

Cartes jaunes: Donk (14'), Pocognoli (35'), Zuiverloon (75')

Israel - Belgium (U-21 EC) on 13.06.2007

Result : 0-1

Ten-man Belgium took a major step towards the UEFA European Under-21 Championship semi-finals by beating Group A rivals Israel 1-0 through Kevin Mirallas's 82nd-minute goal.

Kevin Mirallas

Inspirational display
Mirallas’s winning strike in Heerenveen capped an inspirational display of front-running from the LOSC Lille Métropole striker in a Belgium team who played for 72 minutes with ten men following Marouane Fellaini's early sending-off. For Israel, this second successive 1-0 defeat brings elimination and how they will rue their failure to capitalise on the extra-man advantage.

Changes
If Belgium were unchanged following their impressive showing against Portugal, Israel coach Guy Levy responded to his side's defeat by the Netherlands by making four changes, among them the introduction of the influential Idan Srur to make the play behind a forward line now including Shlomi Arbeitman alongside Ben Sahar and Barak Itzhaki. Levy had spelt out his wish to see more attacking ambition from his players yet in the opening stages they were on the back foot.

Fellaini dismissed
Mirallas served an early warning after eight minutes with a shot from outside the box that forced Tom Al Madon into a fingertip save. Sixty seconds later the Israel goal came under threat again, Sébastien Pocognoli picking out Fellaini with his cross but the Belgium midfielder failed to make a clean contact with the ball. If Belgium looked untroubled, that changed on 18 minutes with Fellaini's dismissal. Eliran Danin went to ground under his challenge and the midfielder, already cautioned for fouling Sahar, was sent off.

De Sart gamble
Logan Bailly had to turn behind Srur's ensuing free-kick and it then took a sliding challenge from Pocognoli to deny Arbeitman a clean strike after the skilful Sahar had played his colleague in. Given Belgium's need for the points, however, coach Jean-François De Sart gambled on keeping his front players on, leaving Jan Vertonghen to do double the covering work in front of the back four.

Israel threaten
Although Anthony Vanden Borre spurned a shooting chance on 26 minutes, Israel now carried the greater menace albeit without really stretching the ten men. Itzhaki sent a drive just over but it was not until the half's closing moments that they really threatened. After Bailly had inadvertently collected a back-pass, Srur's short free-kick teed up Itzhaki but he blasted over. Then Sahar broke through on a one-two with Srur only to see his goalbound effort blocked by Nicolas Lombaerts.

Sahar shines
Into the second half and Sahar was in his stride, flashing a shot narrowly wide and troubling the Diablotins' defence with his elusive movement down the left. One lovely flick sent him racing clear of Sepp De Roover and bearing down on Bailly. He squared the ball to Albeitman but, with the goal gaping, the striker was foiled by Thomas Vermaelen's block. At the other end, Mirallas raised Belgian hopes with a run through the middle stopped only by Amir Taga's saving tackle and shortly after the hour, Blondel was only a whisker wide with an acrobatic volley.

Belgium rewarded
Although Sahar hit the post from an offside position, Belgium's ten men were now looking the likelier scorers. Blondel lashed another volley into the side-netting before, on 80 minutes, Mirallas struck the woodwork. The No9 would not be denied, however. Sprinting on to Vanden Borre's diagonal pass ahead of Dekel Keinan, he beat Al Madon with a low shot for the only goal.

Events and lineups

Israel : Al Madon, Shpungin, Danin (67' Peser), Keinan, Jan, Srur (78' Baruchyan), Itzhaki (55' Ben Shushan), Duani, Arbeitman, Sahar, Taga  

Belgium : Bailly, De Roover, Vermaelen, Lombaerts, Mirallas (85' De Sutter), Vertonghen, Martens (46' Haroun), Pocognoli, Fellaini, Vanden Borre (93' Overmeire)

Goal : 82' Mirallas 0-1

Yellow cards : Fellaini (12'), Mirallas (18'), Arbeitman (25'), Blondel (32'), Vertonghen (42'), Martens (42'), Sahar (70'), Vanden Borre (75'), Baruchyan (84')

Red card : Fellaini (18')

Portugal - Belgium (U-21 EC) on 10.06.2007

Result : 0-0

Belgium and Portugal took one point apiece from their first appearance at this UEFA European Under-21 Championship, the Group A contest in Gronginen ending goalless.

Jan Vertonghen

Parity
Both sides have been hailed, in some quarters, as potential winners of this tournament, yet over the 90 minutes it was a strong and lively Belgium team who staked the more convincing claim. Only their inability to convert a flurry of first-half chances preserved the stalemate.

Big reputation
The Euroborg Stadium complex boasts a further education college, which was appropriate as Portugal are many people's idea of a Grade A student at this level. Coach José Couceiro counted on five graduates of the Sporting Clube de Portugal academy, with two featuring in the early exchanges. After Manuel Fernandes had shot into the side-netting, the same midfielder passed in-field to João Moutinho whose first-time touch sent Sporting team-mate Yannick Djaló racing into the opposition box. The finish had rather less gloss, being blasted against goalkeeper Logan Bailly.

Growing force
After a tentative start, Belgium began to suggest why they have been billed as their country's best generation in a decade. Anthony Vanden Borre released Kevin Mirallas in the penalty area but with Portugal keeper Paulo Ribeiro exposed, the forward dragged his attempt wide. Giant central midfielder Marouane Fellaini then advanced to knock down a long ball to the feet of Mirallas, who fired over when free. Despite being deployed in a defensive role, Fellaini was a target for high balls around the Portugal box, showing the fluidity of François De Sart's 4-3-3 formation.

Dominance
Although Van Borre appeared hampered by a left-foot injury, it was his right foot that almost connected with captain Maarten Martens' cross-cum-shot towards the half-hour. And the same player rode the sliding tackle of Semedo to surge towards the Portugal area in a two-on-two situation which was defused when his through-pass fell short. With willing forwards Martens and Mirallas keeping Portugal's defence on edge, Jonathan Blondel crossed, Fellaini challenged Paulo Ribeiro, and the unclaimed ball was sidefooted wide by Vanden Borre. Belgium were dominant. Sepp De Roover broke down the right before playing in Martens, whose shot was blocked by Paulo Ribeiro, the rebound being sent over by Blondel. Mirallas's relentless front-running should also have brought reward when he grazed the post.

Near misses
If the first-half honours went to De Sart's protégés, Belgium continued to look the more enterprising side as the second period unfolded. Mirallas the spearhead, supported by Vanden Borre, Maartens and Blondel, were running their socks off in search of the breakthrough. On the hour, this almost came at the other end. Yannick centred from the left, Hugo Almeida punched a header towards goal, Bailly made a brilliant save. This was not a tide-turning event. As a hot day surrendered entirely to a cool, damp evening, there was an air of desperation about Portugal's defending. Only Mirallas himself stopped Vanden Borre getting on the end of a menacing deep cross. When Fellaini did connect with a Sébastien Pocognoli delivery, he nodded wastefully over.

Profligacy
Belgium were nearly left to rue their profligacy as the game entered its final ten minutes. Substitute Silvestre Varela's shot from inside the Belgium box required the intervention of two defenders to deflect it over; Manuel Fernandes's devastating effort from outside almost burnt a hole in the side-netting. In keeping with the overall complexion of the match, however, Manuel da Costa was forced to head clear Tom De Mul's curling strike in the dying seconds.

Lineups and events

Portugal : Ribeiro, Veloso, Semodo, Oliveira, Fernandes, Almeida, Moutinho (84' Amorim), Gonçalves (57' Antunes), Cunha, Djalo (66' Varela), Trindade

Belgium : Bailly, De Roover, Vermaelen, Lombaerts, Mirallas, Vertonghen, Martens (87' Haroun), Pocognoli, Fellaini, Vanden Borre (90' Overmeire), Blondel (76' De Mul)

Yellow cards : Almeida (17'), Vertonghen (19'), Moutinho (35')

Tom De Sutter scored a hat-trick as Belgium eased to an 8-0 victory against Luxembourg in their final friendly before the UEFA European Under-21 Championship.

Martens opener
Having drawn their previous outing 2-2 in Morocco on 26 May, Belgium returned home to Mechelen and took just 12 minutes to open the scoring through Maarten Martens. Kevin Mirallas (26 and 55), Guillaume Gillet (64) and Faris Haroun (75) also found the net, although De Sutter of Cercle Brugge KSV was the star performer, scoring in the 32nd, 69th and 70th minutes.

Strong team
Martens, Haroun, Tom De Mul and Nicolas Lombaerts were all given permission to play for a half in the match by senior coach René Vandereycken. His U21 counterpart Jean-François De Sart said: "I thought it would be useful to play a proper match rather than a practice game between our own players. Even though our opponents were weak, it was good to be able to select my strongest side again." Belgium begin their Group A campaign against Portugal a week today, ahead of matches against Israel and hosts the Netherlands.

Lineups and events

Belgium : Cordier (46' Boeckx), Gillet, Ciman, Lombaerts (73' Buyssens), Pocognoli, Vanden Borre (73' Cordaro), Overmeire (51' Mulemo), De Mul (46' Haroun), Martens (46' Witsel), Mirallas, De Smet (26' De Sutter)

Goals  : 10' Martens 1-0, 25' Mirallas 2-0, 31' De Sutter 3-0, 54' Mirallas 4-0, 64' Gillet 5-0, 68' De Sutter 6-0, 70' De Sutter 7-0, 84' Haroun 8-0

Lineups and events

Belgium : Bailly (46' Boeckx), De Roover (46' Gillet), Ciman, Lombaerts, Mulemo, Vanden Borre (70' Buyssens), Maaroufi (60' Cordaro), Colpaert, Haroun (46' Pocognoli), De Sutter (85' Lamah), De Smet

Goals : 30' Maaroufi 0-1, 40' El Amrani 1-1 (pen.), 78' Yajour 2-1, 83' Ciman 2-2 (pen.)


PCO/Comm.

Belgium - Marokko (friendly match) on 14-11-2006 

Result : 4-4

Events and lineups

Belgium : Cordier (46' Verbauwhede), Vanaudenaerde, Ciman, Lombaerts (46' Vandelannoite), Pocognoli (46' Mulemo), Haroun, Fellaini-Bakkioui (46' Vertonghen), Martens (46' Messoudi), Blondel (46' De Mul), Yulu-Matondo (46' Legear), Mirallas

Marokko : Boukardi, Benzouien, Hamdani, El Bounadi (57' Tiberkanine), Sbai, Benjeloune (66' Ayoube), Elazhar, Harmach, Dirar, Benzoukane (53' Maachi), Chihi (57' Fatah)

Goals : 0-1 Benjeloune, 0-2 Vandelannoite (c.s.c.), 0-3 Chihi (pen.), 1-3 Mirallas, 2-3 Mirallas, 2-4 Tiberkanine, 3-4 Messoudi, 4-4 Messoudi

Yellow cards : Fellaini-Bakkioui, Dirar, Vanaudenaerde, Fatah, Haroun


PCO/Comm.

Belgium are through to their first UEFA European Under-21 Championship finals since 2002 after blowing Bulgaria away in Sofia to win this play-off second leg 4-1 and seal a 5-2 aggregate success.

Two for De Smet
Expectations were high at the Balgarska Armia Stadium after Bulgaria drew 1-1 Roeselare in Saturday, only for the home side to find themselves 2-0 down at half-time thanks to goals from Stijn De Smet (20) and Maarten Martens (36). Tsvetan Genkov (57) reduced arrears before Bulgarian duo Plamen Nikolov and Ivo Ivanov were sent off either side of De Smet's second goal (80). Jonathan Legear completed the scoring in the 89th minute as the Red Devils made amends for missing out at this stage last season.

Mihaylov penalty
Following a minute's silence in honour of Stoyan Ormandzhiev, the match began at a slow pace and in the first real action of note De Smet beat Nikolay Mihaylov with a well-placed shot from Sebastien Pocognoli's left-wing cross. Genkov and Ivelin Popov went close for the home side before Petar Zanev conceded a penalty when handling in the area. Mihaylov saved Martens' initial spot-kick, but the Belgian made no mistake after the referee ordered a retake.

Lobbed goal
Genkov gave Bulgaria a glimmer of hope with a lobbed goal as the hour approached but the two red cards put paid to their chances of an upset. De Smet's second goal came on the counterattack, while Legear's fourth goal for his country put the seal on an impressive away showing and means Belgium will be among the eight teams in the hat for the 2007 finals to be played next door in the Netherlands.

Events and lineups

Belgium : Bailly, Vanaudenaerde, Vandelannoite, Lombaerts (50' Ciman), Pocognoli, Overmeire, De Smet (87' Legear), Haroun, De Sutter, Martens (78' Fellaini-Bakkioui), Blondel

Bulgaria : Mihaylov, Skerlev (84' Karamatev), Hristov, Nikolov, Zanev, Ivanov (64' Kyriakidis), Manolev (40' Hazurov), Palankov, Atanasov, Popov (55' Pliagas), Genkov

Goals : 0-1 De Smet (19'), 0-2 Martens (36' pen), 1-2 Genkov (56'), 1-3 De Smet (78'), 1-4 Legear (87')

Yellow cards : Haroun (14'), Blondel (18'), Popov (21'), Nikolov (23' + 63'), Manolev (38'), Vandelannoitte (65'), Skerlev (74')

Red cards : Nikolov (63'), Ivanov (70')

Belgium - Bulgaria (U-21 EC play-offs, 1st leg) on 07-10-2006 

Result : 1-1

Match report by Berend Scholten

Tsvetan Genkov's 87th-minute penalty left Bulgaria's UEFA European Under-21 Championship play-off against Belgium wide open after a 1-1 draw in Roeselare, in a match the hosts ended with nine men after a frenetic finale.

Late drama
Genkov kept his cool to slot past goalkeeper Logan Bailly with three minutes remaining after Jan Wuytens had handled inside the penalty area. Wuytens was dismissed for his troubles, making the lonesome walk down the tunnel just five minutes after Landry Mulemo had departed following his second yellow card. It had all looked very different when Belgium substitute Jonathan Legear fired in the rebound after Faris Haroun had been denied from the penalty spot in the 74th minute. Now, however, the Belgians must travel to Sofia on Wednesday with a difficult task.

Bozhinov absent
Belgium may draw strength from memories of their play-off this time last year when they won in Ukraine, although a subsequent home defeat left them eliminated. Jean-François de Sart's side began this game apparently determined to avoid a repeat against a Bulgaria team bereft of Juventus striker Valeri Bozhinov following his promotion to the senior squad. They struggled to convert possession into chances although the introduction of Legear provided significant attacking impetus.

Legear lift
The RSC Anderlecht winger's mazy running created chances for Haroun, Maarten Martens and Mohamed Messoudi, and when Nikolay Mihaylov parried Haroun's penalty with 16 minutes remaining it was little surprise that it was Legear who followed up to break the deadlock. But Mulemo's dismissal put the home side on the back foot, culminating in the penalty that Genkov tucked away to leave the sides all-square.

Lineups and events

Belgium : Bailly, Vanaudenaerde, Vandelannoite, Wuytens, Mulemo, Overmeire, Yulu-Matondo (77' Pocognoli), Haroun, De Sutter (88' Fellaini), Martens, Messoudi (71' Legear)

Bulgaria : Mihaylov, Milanov, Hristov, Nikolov, Zanev, Ivanov, Manolev (88' Hazurov), Palankov (71' Zalatinski, 82' Karamatev), Atanasov, Popov, Genkov

Goals : 1-0 Legear (74'), 1-1 Genkov (89' pen) 

Yellow cards : Atanasov (20'), Overmeire (46'), Palankov (65'), Zanev (74'), Mulemo (82')

Red cards : Mulemo (82'), Wuytens (89')

Belgium - Greece (qualification match for the U-21 EC) on 06-09-2006

Result : 2-1

Belgium will compete in the UEFA European Under-21 Championship play-offs for the second successive season after coming from behind to defeat Greece and relegate them to the runners-up spot in Group 4 qualifying.

Mesoudi switch
Belgium progressed with a 2-1 win in Antwerp, with all the goals coming after the break after an uninspiring first half. The Belgians picked up after Mohamed Messoudi replaced Dieter Van Tornhout at the interval, though Greece moved in front with an own goal when Jason Vandelannoite diverted a cross into the wrong net. Five minutes later the scores were level when KRC Genk midfielder Faris Haroun equalised for Belgium with a beautiful 20-metre drive into the corner.

Haroun winner
Haroun completed the comeback three minutes before the end with a driven goal from the edge of the area, leaving Belgium coach Jean-François De Sart partially satisfied. "Obviously I am very happy with this result, but less with the way we did it," he said. "Our new goal will be to reach the final tournament through the play-offs." The Red Devils were beaten at the same stage by Ukraine - who went on to reach the final - last season.

Lineups and events

Belgium : Cordier, Vanaudenaerde, Vandelannoite, Wuytens, Mulemo, Overmeire, De Mul (85' Fellaini-Bakkioui), Haroun, Van Tornhout (46' Messoudi), Martens, Yulu-Matondo (77' Mirallas)

Greece : Andriolas, Kotitsas, Pagonis, Papazacharias, Papadopoulos, Tziolis (64' Kiriakidis), Aravidis (77' Mendrinos), Iliadis, Petropoulos, Kiliaras (55' Pliagas), Makos

Goals : 0-1 Vandelannoite (67' o.g.), 1-1 Haroun (69'), 2-1 Haroun (88')

Yellow cards : Iliadis (26'), Wuytens (47'), Papadopoulos (52'), Kiriakidis (90')

Rep. of Ireland - Belgium (qualification match for the U-21 EC) on 01-09-2006

Result : 0-1

Belgium are in pole position to qualify from UEFA European Under-21 Championship Group 4 after defeating the Republic of Ireland in Galway.

Martens winner
The Irish were high on confidence following a 2-0 win in Greece a fortnight ago, but had their bubble burst in the 68th minute as Jeanvion Yulu-Matondo saw a shot saved by Paul Keegan and Maarten Martens followed up to score the only goal. The Red Devils subsequently defended stoutly and the Irish failed to muster a single opportunity to level.

Point needed
Belgium now need a point against Greece in Antwerp on Wednesday to progress to the play-offs, although a 1-0 win for the visitors would be enough for Ireland to wrest top spot on goal difference. The Greeks need to score three goals and win to seal an unlikely passage to the next stage.

Lineups and events

Ireland : Doyle, Foley, Painter, Keegan, Bruce, McShane, Flood, Deery (79' O'Donovan), Ward (85' Dixon), Whelan, Timlin (68' Keogh)

Belgium : Cordier, Vanaudenaerde, Vandelannoite, Wuytens, Mulemo, Overmeire, De Mul (88' Fellaini), Blondel, Van Tornhout, Martens (90' Haroun), De Smet (19' Yulu-Matondo)

Goal : 0-1 Martens (58')

Yellow cards : Van Tornhout (17'), Flood (26'), Blondel (41'), Timlin (53'), De Mul (66'), Vanaudenaerde (70')

Lineups and events

Belgium : Cordier, Monteyne (46' Vanaudenaerde), Vandelannoite, Wuytens (46' Lombaerts), Mulemo, Van Tornhout (46' De Smet), Colpaert, Blondel, (65' Overmeire), Martens, De Mul (75' Cordaro), Yulu-Matondo

Goal : 70' Yulu-Matondo 0-1


FH/Comm.

Günther Vanaudenaerde

Belgium : Cordier, Vanaudenaerde (60' Monteyne), Vandelannoite, Lombaerts, Mulemo (46' Wuytens), Overmeire (60' Detal), Haroun (75' Sanchez), Cordaro (75' Annys), De Smet (85' Van Tornhout), Messoudi, Vandamme


FH/Comm.