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The fact that Robert Waseige has just signed a new contract before a ball has even been kicked in the finals says much for the confidence that the Belgian FA has placed in its 60-year-old cigar-chomping national coach. Waseige has made an impressive start, rejuvenating the Red Devils and raising Belgian hopes since he arrived last August. At that time, the joint host country was in disarray after a disappointing World Cup and a string of poor results including a draw with Luxembourg and a home defeat by Egypt. Waseige is a father figure very much in the mould of Guy Thys, who was coach of the Belgians in their heyday during the 1980s. Unlike his predecessor George Leekens, he has the respect of players and media alike and in his first six games in charge, his transformed team netted 16 goals, including a victory over Italy and two draws with joint Euro hosts the Netherlands. "We needed to improve our mentality," said Waseige. "I don't need egocentric players. I need generous, hard-working, selfless players." No member of the Belgian squad will carry greater responsibility than Branko Strupar, the Croatian-born Derby County striker around whom Waseige has based his attacking options and who is already something of a national icon since breaking into the national team during a prolific spell with his previous club, Genk. Until a few months ago, there were growing fears throughout Belgium that the side would struggle to progress beyond the first round, hardly the best advertisement for the tournament as a whole. But Waseige's revitalized team is playing all its first-round games at the 50,000 King Baudouin stadium in Brussels and has a great chance to get off to a winning start against the highly organized but eminently beatable Swedes. If they manage that, and tighten up their defense, a quarterfinal place is well within reach, although the whole country is anticipating a semifinal showdown with Holland. CNNSI.com's Gabriele Marcotti: Because Italy always seems to start slowly, look for Belgium to win the group. Waseige has a sharp tactical mind and he has managed to overcome Belgium's lack of talent by fielding a tight, cohesive team that has consistently ground out results. That, coupled with home-field advantage, should enable Belgium to win Group B.
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Belgium
