:focal(251x175.5:261x165.5):watermark(cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/ipmgroup/6LJWAO74QZHR7KW5AX2LGSOHQQ.png,0,-0,0,100)/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/ipmgroup/2G3IECP3BNBJRLFB7B5LWY4DIM.jpg)
We haven’t ignored it for a few weeks but it’s official now. Rugby Europe has announced the dates for the 2024 European Rugby Championship. Without any surprises. Belgium will start again against Portugal at home before traveling to Romania and hosting Poland.
An abundant and indigestible menu with two teams that had just played group matches during the World Cup in France. If Romania made the correction against the big names, which are Ireland, South Africa and Scotland, then Portugal, on the other hand, tempted all observers with very honorable setbacks against Wales and Australia. But above all, they beat everyone and were able to beat Fiji in the last group match. A historic success for Patrice Lajesque’s men who achieved a tremendous feat by winning in the last moments (24-23), thus recording their first victory in a fifteen-man World Cup final stage match, so much so that in Lisbon, the champions are back, and supporters flocked in large numbers to receive them at the airport. . A success that deserved a hero’s welcome. To make those interested happy, smile and communicate with the audience.
A disproportionate match between Belgium and Portugal?
Last year, the gap between Portugal and Belgium became very bad. What will it be in a few months? It is a difficult question to answer but the Black Devils will have to field a full squad including all players available in Belgium or playing abroad otherwise they will take twenty tries and cross the 100 point gap in the final count. Of course, it is not against Portugal that Belgium has to guarantee and maintain its ranking. The main opponent, as happened last year, will be Poland and, to a lesser extent, Romania.
The 2024 edition of the REC actually constitutes a comeback stage for the 2023 edition. So Belgium finds the same opponents. After the three group matches, the top two teams in each group will meet as a reminder in the semi-finals, while the third and fourth teams in each group will meet in the bottom semi-finals. Before finals and classification matches to determine each country’s places.
New coach Laurent Dusat’s men will begin their tournament campaign on February 3 with a visit to Portugal, then they will travel to Romania on February 10 to finish the group stage at home against Poland on February 17.
