Lowiese Seynhaeve saves Belgium by stopping Ewa Pajor's penalty

Lowiese Seynhaeve, goalkeeper of Louvain, earned her second start with the Red Flames on Friday evening against Poland by saving the penalty of Ewa Pajor, star of FC Barcelona. This save allowed Belgium to retain an advantage ahead of the return match in Gdańsk on Tuesday.

An unexpected start

A surprise between the posts, Seynhaeve was chosen to start for the first time in a long while, sparking amazement among the crowd and her teammates. The goalkeeper of Louvain established herself as a solid barrier for Belgium from the early moments of the game. Analysts highlighted the solidity of her saves, calling it an exceptional performance for a player newly in the starting lineup.

Decisive choice facing the penalty

« I decided to dive to the right corner », Seynhaeve explains after the save. She notes that she does not recall having saved one in the league, but she has two in the Champions League and this new one with the Flames, describing each save as a “little lottery”. She reminds that every penalty remains unpredictable, even for the best goalkeepers.

The match was rated three stars, with Poland having surprised the Red Flames on several occasions. Despite these attacks, Belgium maintained a 1‑0 score, according to the goalkeeper who believes the team dominated but still needs to improve. The Polish attackers, including Ewa Pajor, created numerous chances, but the Belgian defence held firm.

Red Flames await Dublin, preparing to face Ireland after win in Poland

A largely expatriated team

Three quarters of the Red Flames players facing Poland play abroad, reflecting a growing export of Belgian talent. This international presence strengthens the collective experience of the group. This high proportion of internationals contributes to the visibility of Belgian football abroad.

« 1‑0, it’s not much, but we dominated », Seynhaeve asserts. She adds that the situation must be analysed, recovered quickly and be at the top for the next match, highlighting the mental edge this result provides. According to her, this mental advantage could be decisive in the next encounter.

Thanks to this success, Belgium retains its advantage ahead of the return in Gdańsk on Tuesday, where it will aim to consolidate its position. A future trip to Dublin is scheduled for the next round, where the Flames will face Ireland. The duel in Gdańsk will determine whether Belgium can continue its progress in the tournament.

Inefficient Red Flames win narrowly against Poland thanks to Seynhaeve

The article, written by Nathalie Dumont, places the Red Flames in the Mons‑Borinage‑Centre region, recalling the importance of local sport in the development of women's football. The support of the local authorities of the Centre strengthens the players’ commitment to women's football. The sports sector thus benefits from increased visibility thanks to these performances.