Belgium v Cyprus background
Monday, February 2, 2015
Article summary
Belgium are unbeaten in 13 qualifying games as they prepare for an eighth encounter with Cyprus, having yet to lose against their Group B rivals.
Article top media content
Article body
Belgium will look to maintain their lengthy unbeaten run in qualifying fixtures as they take on Cyprus in UEFA EURO 2016 qualifying Group B.
Previous meetings
• Belgium's record in seven games against Cyprus is W6 D1 L0 (W3 D0 L0 at home).
• That lone stalemate came in the sides' last competitive meeting, a 1-1 EURO '96 qualifying draw in Nicosia on 15 November 1995.
• The teams have not met since the turn of the millennium; their most recent encounter was a 1-0 friendly win for Belgium in Limassol on 3 February 1999.
Form guide
• Belgium are unbeaten in three Group B games (W1 D2) and 13 qualifying matches in total (W9 D4), having made it to the 2014 FIFA World Cup finals by going through qualifying unbeaten.
• Belgium have not conceded more than one goal in 18 competitive outings since a 3-1 loss to Germany in their final UEFA EURO 2012 qualifier.
• Cyprus's record in four Group B contests is W2 D0 L2. Their 5-0 success against Andorra last time out ended a five-game sequence without a competitive home win. It was also matched the margin of their biggest victory of all time – another 5-0 success against Andorra, in 2000.
Trivia and links
• In 14 encounters between these nations in UEFA age-group competitions, the Belgian side has won 12 times and drawn the other two matches. Most recently, Belgium beat Cyprus 2-0 at home and 6-0 away in qualifying for this summer's UEFA European Under-21 Championship.
• Cyprus midfielder Stathis Aloneftis turns 32 the day after the Belgium game.
• In their 5-0 win against Andorra, George Efrem became the first player to score a hat-trick for Cyprus.
