Belgium’s reformed test team have ambition to reach the top level in Europe, but for their first match outing of the season, the stuggled at times against Germany in Aachen.
Relaunched in the fall with a new staff, the Belgian team played its first match of the season against Germany. A work clearly in progress compared to the test match in March 2023 at the Nelson Mandela Stadium when they lost 10-14.
The Germans will have generally dominated the Belgians physically, confining them to in defence for most of the match.
Trailing 12-5 at the break, Belgium were unable to prevent Germany from extending their lead and ultimately lost 36-17
It was a defeat full of lesson, according to the Belgian captain. “I think it was very interesting for the coaches to finally see us play together. This is only the beginning,” said captain Cristina Pecoraro.
“I really feel like too little, because we were physically dominated. They were going faster than us. But at times in the match, we were able to increase our aggression, we were able to show some play. The problem was that we weren't able to maintain that quality throughout. the game".
“But I am still satisfied because we are rebuilding something which will be great, I hope, and am also satisfied in the sense that I was able to see a very attractive look at several moments in the match. But I still have a taste of too little and a little disappointment.”
“It’s good that we have this feeling with other girls, it will push us to continue to believe in this project and to develop it. In the end we keep good feelings, we know what we have to work on . I think it was very interesting for the coaches to finally see us playing together. This is only the beginning,” emphasizes Cristina.