Suspected terrorist attack in Brussels: European Championship qualifier against Sweden canceled

Netherlands is taking a big step

After two Swedes were fatally shot in Brussels, the European Championship qualifying game between Belgium and Sweden was canceled. The two associations involved announced this on Monday evening on “X”, formerly “Twitter”. Spectators in the stadium were asked to remain in their seats. “The Belgian police want Swedish fans to stay in the arena for security reasons,” the association wrote. The King Baudouin Stadium, formerly the Heysel Stadium, is around five kilometers from the crime scene.

It was only shortly before midnight that the crisis center announced that the visiting fans were allowed to leave the stadium. “The football stadium is being evacuated. Please follow the instructions of the emergency services. Return home immediately,” it said on “X”. In the stands you could previously see numerous Swedish fans talking on the phone or talking with sad faces. According to the television station “SVT”, the team and supporters initially had to stay in the stadium for security reasons.

The European Football Union confirmed the abandonment of the game. After a suspected terrorist attack in Brussels in the evening, the decision was made to cancel the game after consultation with both teams and the local police authorities, UEFA said. Further communications would be made in due course.

Earlier in the evening, a previously unknown perpetrator shot two people in Brussels. Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo confirmed that it was Sweden. “Our thoughts are with all the relatives of those affected in Brussels,” wrote the Swedish association. Sweden’s Foreign Minister Tobias Billström explained on “X” that they were football fans and also wrote about a third wounded victim. “Our thoughts are with everyone affected,” the Belgian association also wrote.

After goals from Viktor Gyökeres (15th minute) and Romelu Lukaku (31st), the score was 1-1. At halftime the news of the deaths of the two Swedes spread. The Swedish national team players then decided not to continue the game, as coach Janne Andersson later reported with deep emotion. The Belgian internationals agreed. It was initially unclear whether and when the game would continue. As leaders of Group F, Belgium had already qualified for next year’s European Championships in Germany, as had second-placed Austria. Sweden can no longer reach the first two places and therefore no longer qualify directly.

European Championship qualification: Netherlands takes big step – Cristiano Ronaldo shines

Thanks to a last-minute goal, the Netherlands has taken a big step towards the European Championships in Germany. Captain Virgil van Dijk scored a 1-0 (0-0) win in Greece with a penalty in the third minute of stoppage time on Monday. As a result, Oranje moved up to second place in Group B and now has the ticket for the 2024 tournament in their own hands. In addition, the “Elftal” played one less game compared to the Greeks, who had the same points and are now in third place. It had looked like a draw in Athens for a long time. Hoffenheim’s Wout Weghorst missed his penalty in the 27th minute.

Portugal had already secured their European Championship ticket, but also showed another brilliant performance thanks to superstar Cristiano Ronaldo. The “Seleção” won 5-0 (5-0) in Bosnia-Herzegovina. Double packers Ronaldo (5th/hand penalty/20th), Bruno Fernandes (25th), João Cancelo (32nd) and João Félix (41st) made everything clear before the break. For the 38-year-old Ronaldo it was goals 126 and 127 in the national jersey. Portugal have won all of their eight qualifying games in Group J so far and have only conceded two goals out of 32 goals they have scored themselves.

Slovakia also took a big step closer to the European Championships with their 1-0 (0-0) win in Luxembourg. David Duris (77th) scored the decisive goal, meaning the Slovaks secured second place behind Portugal and extended their lead over third-placed Luxembourg to five points.

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