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Belgium team guide

Belgium return to the final tournament for the third time after becoming only the second side in the competition's history to deny Germany a place.

Belgium squad
Belgium squad ©Sportsfile

Belgium return to the final tournament for the third time, but their confidence has never been higher having taken the prized scalp of Germany on the final day of qualifying.

Their place in Norway was in doubt until captain Tinne Van Den Bergh struck the only goal of the game six minutes from time to stun the four-time champions. It is only the second time in the competition's history that Germany will miss the finals.

Kristiaan Van Der Haegen's side will be determined to make a bigger impression than Belgium's only previous finals, finishing bottom of their group in both 2006 and 2011. Indeed, the Red Flames have avoided defeat just once: a goalless draw against a strong Sweden side in 2006.

Route to finals
First qualifying round: 4-0 Turkey, 4-0 Montenegro, 5-2 Hungary (Group 10 winners)
Elite round: 3-1 Ukraine, 2-1 Czech Republic, 1-0 Germany (Group 4 winners)
Top scorers: Lucinda Michez (6)

Key players
Tinne Van Den Bergh (defender, WD Lierse SK), Lucinda Michez (forward, RSC Anderlecht), Elke Van Gorp (midfielder, K. Lierse SK), Tine De Caigny (defender, Club Brugge KV).

Coach: Kristiaan Van Der Haegen
Date of birth:
11/04/1964
Playing career:
Eendracht Grotenberge, VK Onkerzele, KSV Sottegem, KSC Oosterzele
Coaching career:
Eendracht Grotenberge, KSV Sottegem, SV Zulte Waregem (all youth), KSC Oosterzele, KSV Sottegem, SC Eendracht Aalst, K. Racing Waregem, K. Standaard Wetteren, Belgium U15, U16, U17 (all assistant), Belgium women' s U19s

Van Der Haegen played his football in the lower rungs of Belgium football, going as far as the third division, but he was coaching almost from the start. A youth trainer at 17, the qualified teacher took his first job as head coach aged 40 at home club Sottegem and worked his way up to the Belgian second tier.

He has been full time at the Royal Belgian Football Association since 2008, combining youth coaching with a role as coaching instructor at the national school, where he has been director since September 2012.

UEFA European Women's Under-19 Championship record
2012/13: did not qualify
2011/12: did not qualify
2010/11: group stage
2009/10: did not qualify
2008/09: did not qualify
2007/08: did not qualify
2006/07: did not qualify
2005/06: group stage
2004/05: did not qualify
2003/04: did not qualify
2002/03: did not qualify
2001/02: did not qualify

Honours in other UEFA women's competitions
None