BBC hails Belgian football “revolution”

Belgium’s current generation of footballers is capturing the imagination of fans worldwide, says the BBC’s European football expert, Andy Brassell, as the buzz around Belgium builds on British shores. With Eden Hazard, Jan Vertonghen and Kevin Mirallas joining established stars such as Vincent Kompany, Thomas Vermaelen and Marouane Fellaini, Belgium’s stock has never been higher. They are in action tonight in a friendly in Romania and are top of their World Cup qualifying group, which also features Wales and Scotland. Between them, Premier League clubs currently own 16 Belgian players – an all-time record. Nine of the 11 who started Belgium’s World Cup qualifying victory in Serbia on October 12 play in the Premier League, showing English fans just how far Belgium could go. Everything appears to be in place for Belgium to flourish into a world power, and only a first qualification for a major championship since the 2002 World Cup will now suffice.