“We have more quality in width,” says 28-year-old Biesmans in a press chat in the Kilhey Court Hotel in Wigan, where the Flames stay during the tournament.
“The selection was also very difficult for the coach to make. Now that there are 5 substitutions, hopefully this will be an advantage for us.”
With her 11 years of experience with the national team, Biesmans is of great value in the selection. She herself sees her role as “someone who is one of the executives in the background”.
“I’m not the biggest caller but I try to steer in the background and help where I can. That’s how I found my place in the team.”
The Flames have been in England for 3 days now. On Sunday at 6 pm it’s finally about the marbles with the first group match in Manchester against Iceland. According to Biesmans, everything is running as desired for the time being.
“The first day everyone had to find their way a bit, also literally in the hotel, but now I have the feeling that everyone is relaxed and ready. We are looking forward to the first game day after day. too much stress.”
In principle, Biesmans is a fixed value in the Serneels team, but she herself remains ignorant about her playing opportunities at this European Championship. “I hope to be in the starting line-up, but it’s up to the coach to make the decisions. It’s a bit of a wait and see.”
This European Championship is the first for Marie Minnaert. The 23-year-old has been with the Flames since 2019, she has 26 caps. But it is not certain whether that counter will tick at the European Championship, the attacking midfielder is a bit on the seesaw between the team and the bench.
Although she started in the exhibition games against England (3-0 loss) and Luxembourg (6-1 win), it is very doubtful whether she will kick off on Sunday in the first group match against Iceland. Minnaert also realizes this.
“It is difficult to say what my playing chances will be at the European Championship. Everyone who is here deserves to play, but of course I hope to be able to make minutes.”
Minnaert learns a lot from the more experienced Flames and is happy with all the tips.
In 2017, stress hit the Belgian women hard in their European Championship debut against Denmark, a match they lost 0-1 and which turned out to be a harbinger of a group stage elimination.
According to Minnaert, who will exchange Club YLA for RSC Anderlecht next season, it is not so bad in terms of stress level in the selection. “We know how important the match against Iceland is, but that does not cause extra stress. We prepare the match training by training.”
