Belgium faces Italy in UEFA EURO U-17 semis

CAIRO – 14 May 2018: Belgium defeated Spain 2-1 on Monday to reach the UEFA EURO U-17 semi-finals for the first time in history.

The Belgian team has had a great run in the competition, as they achieved three victories in the group stage over the Republic of Ireland, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Denmark to reach the quarter-finals on top of the group.

Belgium faced nine-time champions Spain in the quarter-finals and conceded an early goal from Alejandro Baena, but they returned in the game with two goals by Yorbe Vertessen and Jamie Yayi Mpie to win 2-1.



“At half-time, I changed a player and asked the players to put on more pressure. The first half was no good, but in the second half we played very well. We dominated from the 41st minute to the 80th minute,” Belgium manager Thierry Siquet told press after the victory over Spain.

The Belgian team is now set to face Italy, who has had a better history in the competition, as they won the title in 1982 and came second in four tournaments.

The game is scheduled for Thursday, May 17 at 1 p.m. (GMT) at New York Stadium in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, England.

England hosts the competition from May 4-20, 2018.