Belgium’s Red Flames Prepare for Euro 2025 Without Former Coach Yves Serneels
The Red Flames are heading to their first international tournament without Yves Serneels. The coach was dismissed late last year, after leading Belgium’s female national football team for 14 years, and it is up to Elisabet Gunnarsdottir to lead the Flames into a new era at Euro 2025 in Switzerland., reports 24brussels.
Until 2011, Belgium’s women’s football team struggled to achieve notable results, failing to qualify for a major tournament. However, Serneels transformed the team’s fortunes, overseeing promising qualification campaigns for Euro 2013 and the 2015 World Cup, which led the Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) to increase investments in women’s football.
Under his leadership, the Red Flames reached their first-ever European Championship in 2017. Despite strong performances, the team did not qualify for the 2019 World Cup, but secured a spot for Euro 2022, where they achieved a historic quarter-final finish.
“14 years is a long time. The magic had run out,”
In the previous qualification cycle, Serneels and the team qualified for Euro 2025, marking their third consecutive European Championship. However, their qualification campaign was challenging, finishing third in their group with only four points in six matches, ultimately requiring play-offs to secure their tournament berth.
The RBFA decided to dismiss Serneels in January due to the disappointing qualifiers. While his departure was anticipated, the timing surprised many. “I expected for it to happen after the European Championship,” former Red Flame Imke Courtois told Sporza. “But 14 years is a long time. The magic had run out.”
Subsequently, the RBFA appointed Elisabet Gunnarsdottir as the new head coach. With over two decades of coaching experience, the Icelander was seen as the ideal candidate to introduce a new dynamic to the team.
Gunnarsdottir’s tenure began with losses to reigning world champions Spain and European champions England in the Nations League. However, the Red Flames later bounced back, convincingly defeating Portugal to avoid relegation from the competition’s upper echelon.
“The first half was the worst we’ve played under my management,”
Despite this, a 5-0 defeat against France in a friendly—intended as the final preparation before Euro 2025—has raised concerns about the team’s readiness.
Reflecting on the match, the coach stated, “We were far too passive. I am really angry about that; it’s something I take very seriously. I take full responsibility.”
Tough Group Stage Ahead for Belgium
Belgium faces a challenging group in the upcoming European Championship, drawn alongside Italy, Portugal, and Spain. With an uphill battle to compete against the world champions, the Flames aim for a second-place finish to advance past the group stage.
While Gunnarsdottir believes in her team’s potential, she remains cautious about making predictions. “I don’t want to set goals in terms of outcomes. That can lead to disappointment,” she said. “We focus only on the next match. Right now, that’s Italy. That’s where our full attention lies.”
UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 is set to commence in Switzerland on 2 July, featuring 16 teams. Belgium will face Italy on 3 July, Spain on 7 July, and Portugal on 11 July, with the final scheduled for 27 July in Basel.
