On Monday, October 16, 2023, the UEFA Euro 2024 qualifier between Belgium and Sweden was abandoned at half-time after a shooting in Brussels. Two people of Swedish nationality were killed, and the decision was made to postpone the match out of respect for the victims and their families.
The incident took place approximately three miles from the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels, where the match was being played. The gunman opened fire on a group of Swedish fans who were walking to the stadium, killing two people and injuring several others.
The Belgian police quickly responded to the shooting and arrested the suspect. The motive for the attack is still under investigation, but the Belgian authorities are treating it as a terrorist incident.
Lead-up to the match of Belgium
The Belgium vs Sweden match was highly anticipated, with both teams vying for a top spot in Group B of the Euro 2024 qualifiers. Belgium had already qualified for the tournament, but Sweden was still in the running for a place in the playoffs.
The match was also a special occasion for the Swedish fans, as it was the first time that their national team had played in Brussels in over 20 years. A large contingent of Swedish supporters had traveled to the city to support their team, and they were eagerly awaiting the match.
Details of the shooting in Belgium
The shooting took place at approximately 7:30 pm local time, just 45 minutes before the scheduled kick-off of the match. The gunman opened fire on a group of Swedish fans who were walking to the stadium, killing two people and injuring several others.
The victims were identified as two Swedish men, aged 27 and 35. The injured fans were taken to local hospitals, where they were treated for their injuries.
The Belgian police quickly responded to the shooting and arrested the suspect. The suspect is a 23-year-old Belgian man, and he is currently being held in police custody.
Aftermath of the shooting
Following the shooting, the decision was made to abandon the Belgium vs Sweden match. The players from both teams were informed of the incident at half-time, and they were visibly shaken.
The Belgian Football Association (FA) released a statement expressing its condolences to the victims and their families. The FA also thanked the Belgian police for their swift response to the incident.
The Swedish FA also released a statement, expressing its shock and sadness at the events that had taken place. The FA also thanked the Belgian FA for its support during this difficult time.
Impact on the two teams
The impact of the shooting on the two teams was significant. The Belgian players were visibly shaken at half-time, and they were clearly not in the right frame of mind to continue with the match.
The Swedish players were also deeply affected by the incident. They had lost two of their countrymen, and they were clearly struggling to cope with the tragedy.
The decision to abandon the match was the right one. It would have been impossible for the players to continue playing in the shadow of such a horrific event.
Impact on the wider footballing community
The shooting in Brussels had a significant impact on the wider footballing community. The incident was condemned by footballing bodies around the world, and many players and coaches expressed their condolences to the victims and their families.
The incident also raised questions about the safety of football matches. The Belgian authorities are already planning to review their security measures for future matches.
Conclusion
The shooting in Brussels was a tragic event, and it is a reminder that football is just a game. The lives of two people were lost, and many others were injured.
The decision to abandon the Belgium vs Sweden match was the right one. It would have been impossible for the players to continue playing in the shadow of such a horrific event.
Our thoughts are with the victims of the shooting and their families. We hope that they will be able to find the strength to heal from this tragedy.
