MONTREAL – Defender Laurent Ciman has been called up by Belgian National Team head coach Marc Wilmots to join the 23-man roster that will take part in Euro 2016 in France, from June 10 to July 10.
MLS Defender of the Year, MLS Best XI selection and Impact Defensive Player of the Year in 2015, Ciman also played the 2015 MLS All-Star Game, wearing the captain’s armband for the second half against English club Tottenham Hotspur F.C. In his second season in MLS, in 2016, he has started all 12 games for the Impact.
At the international level, Ciman has played nine games with the Belgian National Team, making his official debut with the Red Devils on May 19, 2010, against Bulgaria. A regular for his country, he was on the roster for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. He played four qualifiers for Euro 2012 and was also selected for Euro 2016 qualifiers. He also took part in the 2007 U21 UEFA Championship with Belgium and suited up for his country at the Olympic Games in Beijing in 2008, with the U23 team.
Ciman was previously included in the Belgium stand-by list for Euro 2016.
Drawn into Group E, the Belgians will face Italy on June 13 at Parc Olympique Lyonnais, in Lyon, the Republic of Ireland on June 18 at the Nouveau Stade de Bordeaux and then Sweden on June 22 at the Allianz Riviera, in Nice.
Ciman will join the Belgian group on Monday in Lausanne, Switzerland, for a final training camp that will conclude with a friendly against the Swiss National Team on May 28. The Red Devils will also play two friendlies against Finland, on June 1, and Norway, on June 5, at King Baudouin Stadium, in Brussels, before starting the European Championship.
BELGIUM ROSTER
GK – Thibault Courtois / Chelsea F.C. – England
GK – Simon Mignolet / Liverpool F.C. – England
GK – Jean-François Gillet / K.V. Mechelen – Belgium
D – Jan Vertonghen / Tottenham Hotspur F.C. – England
D – Toby Alderweireld / Tottenham Hotspur F.C. – England
D – Thomas Vermaelen / FC Barcelona – Spain
D – Nicolas Lombaerts / FC Zenit Saint Petersburg – Russia
D – Jason Denayer / Galatasaray S.K. – Turkey
D – Dedryck Boyata / Celtic F.C. – Scotland
D – Jordan Lukaku / K.V. Oostende – Belgium
D – Laurent Ciman / Impact de Montréal – Canada
M – Marouane Fellaini – Manchester United – England
M – Axel Witsel / FC Zenit Saint Petersburg – Russia
M – Mousa Dembélé / Tottenham Hotspur F.C. – England
M – Radja Nainggolan / A.S. Roma – Italy
F – Eden Hazard / Chelsea F.C. – England
F – Dries Mertens / S.S.C. Napoli – Italy
F – Romelu Lukaku / Everton F.C. – England
F – Kevin De Bruyne / Manchester City – England
F – Christian Benteke / Liverpool F.C. – England
F – Divock Origi / Liverpool F.C. – England
F – Yannick Carrasco / Atlético Madrid – Spain
F – Michy Batshuayi / Marseille – France
