On May 13, Marc Wilmots will announce his ‘pre-selection’ of players who could go to Brazil. The final squad of 23 will be divulged to the public on June 2. Prior to the final group being announced, Belgium will play two friendlies, against Luxembourg and Sweden. After the announcement, Belgium will play Tunisia on June… Read More »
A year ago I wrote the following. “It’s been called the most exciting title race in Europe, but even those using that terminology agree that the Playoffs format falsifies the championship.” “The games between the top clubs come so thick and fast, it can be too much – financially – for the fans, too much… Read More »
The Jupiler Pro League Playoffs have been controversial since their introduction in the 2009-2010 season. The system, it that’s a legitimate word, was introduced to make the league more financially viable – more games between the big clubs – but in its current format it falsifies the league and the vast majority of fans would… Read More »
Marc Wilmots has announced the Belgian squad to meet the Ivory Coast next week and there are no shocks. In keeping with previous squads, Wilmots is sticking with his trusted players regardless of whether they play regularly with their clubs. Of the 23-man squad, only one position is genuinely up for grabs – reserve right… Read More »
It’s March 1, 2011, at Neerpeerde, home of the Anderlecht Academy. Charleroi U17s are the visitors. Within two minutes, Anderlecht take the lead through a fragile-looking boy who is later elected “man” of the match. But of course he is not a man; he is a boy and he is a year younger than the… Read More »
In Belgium’s Jupiler Pro League (the JPL), the real race for the title – and the 15 or so millions of euros that go with direct entry to the Champions’ League – starts with the playoffs. That’s because the JPL has a structure whereby the top six after the ‘classic’ season has finished enter the… Read More »
Dear Roy, I understand you have been watching Adnan Januzaj since July. That’s understandable since he can play a bit. However, at 18 years of age, Adnan is knocking on a bit. No Roy, I suggest if you want to uncover the real gems of the future England team then you need to be looking… Read More »
In order to start booking flights to Rio, the Belgian FA needs to see its team take one point from the final two qualifying matches against Croatia and Wales. Assuming there is no catastrophic collapse, it’s time to look at the options for the 23 names that Marc Wilmots can choose from. Wilmots has a… Read More »
Six members of the Belgian international squad have changed clubs this summer. Some of those moves have been smart ones; others seem more of a risk. Here’s a rundown on those who have changed clubs and what their expectations could be. Marouane Fellaini (Everton to Manchester United) Fellaini’s last-minute move to Manchester United will give… Read More »
Back in August, I was asked a few questions about Marouane Fellaini – then a target for several clubs. Now he’s joined Manchester United, it’s worth adding them to the blog. Interview re. Marouane Fellaini (15 August, 2013) Q. Marouane Fellaini spent two years with Standard Liege in Belgium before moving to Everton in 2008.… Read More »