Terrorist Attack Kills Two People, Swedish Belgian Vs Match Postponed

The Belgian match against Sweden was postponed due to a terrorist attack that killed two Swedish citizens in Brussels. (Twitter @svenskfotboll)

JAKARTA - The Belgian match against Sweden in the Euro 2024 qualifiers at King Baudoin, Tuesday, October 17, 2024 in the morning, was postponed. The terrorist attack that killed two people who were entrusted by Swedish citizens in Brussels made UEFA stop the match and then postpone it.

Belgium, who acted as the host in the match, has already confirmed their qualify for the finals. The team topped the Group F standings with 16 points against Norway became a mere formality.

Meanwhile, Sweden also failed to qualify because they were ranked third. Victor Lindelof et al can no longer score Slovak points who won a ticket to Germany after a 1-0 win over Azerbaijan. Slovakia itself ended the group stage by finishing second and pocketing 16 points.

Belgium's match against Sweden actually went smoothly. Sweden took the lead through Viktor Gyokeres who scored in the 15th minute.

But Begia was able to equalize the score when striker Romelu Lukaku scored from the penalty spot. The AS Roma striker's goal was created in the 31st minute.

Shortly after Lukaku's goal, the match was stopped. The reason is that there was a shooting in Brussels which resulted in the death of two Swedish people.

The bloody incident actually happened before the match. At that time there were those who said if something serious happened in the middle of Brussels.

On security considerations, UEFA decided to stop the match. The decision was taken after an agreement was made between the two teams and security officers.

"Regarding the alleged terrorist attack in Brussels this evening, UEFA as the organizer of the qualification between Belgium and Sweden decided to postpone the match. The decision was made after consultation with the two local teams and police. Furthermore, there will be further talks related to this," the UEFA statement said.

In order to maintain security, Swedish supporters did not immediately leave the stadium even though the match had stopped. The request was also delivered directly by the Swedish FA.

The country's football federation asked supporters to stay in the stadium until the situation was completely conducive and under control. Supporters were in the stadium for two and a half hours.

While waiting to be allowed to leave the stadium by security officers, no less than 35 thousand supporters exclaimed, "All together, All together." Showed the two supporters remained together and there was no feud between them amid the tragedy.

Furthermore, thousands of people exclaimed, "Sweden, Sweden," as a form of support for Swedish supporters.

"The message to Swedish supporters who are currently in Brussels. The Belgian police asked Swedish supporters to stay in the stadium for security consideration," the Swedish FA said.

"Suporters are expected to always follow any information from police officers, local authorities and Swedish FA staff at the location," the Swedish FA explained further.

"We will return if the Belgian authorities provide us with the latest information. Please remain calm and pay attention to each other. We are sorry to all members of the family who experienced the incident in Brussels."

Meanwhile Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo wrote on Twitter (X), "I extend my deep condolences to the families who were victims of the coward attack in Brussels."

"I always follow the situation with the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Home Affairs at the Crisis Center. We continue to monitor and ask Brussels residents to remain calm," he said.

"I also express my concern and condolences to the Swedish Prime Minister for the incident of attacks on Swedish citizens in Brussels. We express our condolences to the families and relatives left behind by those who care for them," said the Prime Minister.