Belgium is crowned European champion in wheelchair football: “The players did a great job”
Belgium won a European championship title this Friday by winning against the EPFA Cup. After a faultless run (five wins and a draw) the Redwheels beat the Scots in the final 2-0. The competition is taking place all this week (August 21-27) in Geneva, Switzerland.
“There was a very good atmosphere“, confides Robin Caudron, the national coach. “The goal was to finish in the top 3. We expected to get there, but not especially to win the tournament. Obviously as coaches, it was what we wanted but we left without putting pressure on the players. They did a great job.”
With this victory in the EPFA Cup, the team is qualified for the Nations Cup, another European competition which includes the best nations of the continent. “We will enter the heavyweight category“Robin laughs.
The EPFA Cup was created for countries getting into wheelchair football to play against other countries at their level and avoid humiliation. “Austria took 20-0 once against England“.
Belgium can be very proud of its tournament. In addition to winning the final trophy, our selection saw its coach being voted “Best Coach” and one of its players (Ilhan Gent) being voted “Best Player”.
But a competition like that is expensive: 25,000 euros. A sum that was self-financed by the team. “We are clearly looking for sponsorship“, recognizes the coach of the team. Discussions are underway with the Minister of Sports of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation, Valérie Glatigni. “We hope that this European title can help unlock funding“, still advances Robin Caudron.
The next objective of the Redwheels will be in two months for friendlies against France and Denmark. Two nations supposed to be much stronger. “We can’t wait to face them and learn from them.”