With women's football finally enjoying better visibility, the Red Flames have travelled to Switzerland to begin their European championship campaign on Friday at 18:00 against Italy.
Firstly, ever wondered who the ‘Red Flames’ were? It is the nickname of Belgium’s national women’s football team. It follows the country’s tradition of giving a US-style sports branding nicknames to their national team: Red Devils, Belgian Cats etc.
This evening, the best women footballers in Belgium will open their UEFA Women’s European Championships 2025 campaign against Italy in Sion, Switzerland.
While the Italians are a tough and physical opponent, the Red Flames will be hoping for a repeat of their victory against them in the last Euros in 2022, where they reached the Quarter Finals after being knocked out by Sweden.
In the group stages this year, the Red Flames will also play against Portugal and the world champions – Spain.
There are 16 participating countries, with four groups in total. Switzerland, Norway, Finland and Iceland are in group A. Group C consists of Germany, Poland, Denmark and Sweden. The 'group of death' (which also happens to be group D) is France, England, Wales and the Netherlands, who will all battle out for qualification.
According to the bookies, the tournament favourites are Spain, (defending European champions) England, France and Germany.
Belgium's players pictured at the start of a game between the national teams of Belgium (Red Flames) and England, during Women's Nations League competition, on Tuesday 08 April 2025 in Heverlee, Leuven. Credit: Belga / Bruno Fahy
Belgium’s Red Flames will be wanting to overturn their form in the build up to the tournament, following a painful 5-0 defeat to France in a friendly match. "The first half was the most disappointing 45 minutes we have played since I took over," said new manager Elísabet Gunnarsdóttir.
At the start of the year, Gunnarsdóttir replaced the Red Flames veteran coach Ives Serneels, who had been in charge for 14 years. He was sacked after a spell of unconvincing Euro play-off matches – despite reaching qualification for the tournament.
The Red Flames shocked England by beating them 3-2 for the Nations League in March in front of 8,000 fans in Leuven. However, it did follow from another 0-5 drubbing at the hands of the Lionesses the previous week. Last week's win against Greece in Molenbeek will have raised the team's confidence before having travelled to Switzerland.
Playing at home
With a patchy form and new tactics, the Red Flames will be hoping to better their Quarter Finals result at the last Euros.
Star player Tessa Wullaert is expected to shine throughout the tournament. The Number 9 is top goalscorer of the team with 93 goals in 146 caps.
Alongside four other Red Flames, Wullaert plays her football in Italy with Inter Milan. Her teammate Marie Detruyer also plays with her at Inter – while Davina Philtjens, Elena Dhont and Kassandra Missipo all play for Sassuolo. All will be anticipating playing against team mates and league rivals.
"I have a few teammates from Inter who are part of the Italian national team," Marie Detruyer said at Tuesday's press conference. "And other teammates will also be coming to watch the match. So it will be special. I don't know all the Italian players personally, but there are a lot of familiar faces."
Belgian national soccer team The Red Flames, traveling from Brussels Airport in Zaventem towards Switzerland for the European Championships on Sunday 29 June 2025. Credit: Belga
Detruyer did not play at the last Euros, but will be hoping to "recreate" the atmosphere inside the team which beat Italy to reach the Quarter Finals.
"We want to go as far as possible, of course. Italy and Portugal are tough opponents. I don't consider them stronger than us. We're fighting with three teams, perhaps, for second place. But first place is also possible. Spain is a world-class opponent, but it goes without saying that we'll give our best in that match."
Tina De Caighy, who was the hero who scored the goal which beat Italy, is hoping for a similar scenario and remembers her winning goal fondly.
"It was amazing. I've thought about it a lot lately, and I'd sign up for the same scenario. I expect the Italians to be hungry for revenge, but we have to focus on ourselves."
Belgium's Tine De Caigny celebrates after scoring during a game between Belgium's national women's soccer team the Red Flames and Italy, in Manchester, England on Monday 18 July 2022. Credit: Belga
Feeling the heat
Like everyone else, the team has been preparing for the tournament under the intense heatwave currently gripping North Western Europe.
"Despite the heat, which is the same for everyone, the coach always demands high intensity in training, and so do we, but we also need to rest. We also take breaks during training and recover well," said De Caigny.
"It's very hot here, but I'm a bit used to it since I've been in Italy. It's all about staying hydrated. The heat mustn't be an excuse. We're really looking forward to the first match and we're preparing thoroughly."
This is Detruyer's first time participating in a European Championship. She has 27 caps with the Flames. "I'm a little overexcited," she says with a smile.
"I always followed the Flames when I was young. Now I'm taking part in a big tournament with the first team. I'm not feeling any stress at the moment. That might change when the first match comes around. It's a childhood dream to be here."
Belga News Agency contributed to this report.
