It’s annoying to hear comments in the English press about the Premiership being the best league in the world and the English fans being the most passionate etc etc. However, in one aspect of the beautiful game they are spot on. That’s when – and if – they say that the FA Cup has no… Read More »
When I started writing these piece a few days ago, I thought that the Belgian Pro League clubs would meet and that the end result would be no change; except for a few minor touches at the edges. How wrong can you be: they have achieved the impossible – they have made things far worse.… Read More »
As someone reminded me, on Thursday 17 February, 2011, Belgium made it into the Guinness Book of Records as the country having spent the longest time without a government: 222 days. Sadly, the ability not to come to a decision is spreading. As described earlier, the big clubs had pushed through a reform of the… Read More »
In recent weeks and months, there have been interminable discussions concerning the future shape of the Jupiler League. There are currently 16 clubs in the first division but only now – as we approach March – is it becoming remotely clear how many teams there will be next season. To understand how the clubs should… Read More »
Tonight, it’s Anderlecht – Ajax at Parc Astrid. Remarkably, Anderlecht have never been beaten by a Dutch team in European competition. They’ve played 10 matches and won eight of them. Last season, they went through against the same opponents, with a 3-1 victory in Amsterdam against an Ajax already qualified Tonight, Anderlecht start as underdogs… Read More »
Genk proved that they were worthy title contenders with a 2-0 defeat of Standard Leige at Sclessin. Admittedly, Standard are not the team of two seasons ago but they have a solid record at home. Genk started without Jelle Vossen, injured, and Marvin Ogunjimi, and still managed to score twice and control the game. There… Read More »
Two players stood out from the pack this weekend, for vastly differing reasons. Anderlecht keeper Silvio Proto kept another clean sheet and approached his personal record, while Club Brugge’s Ronald Vargas was badly injured against Genk and will not play again this season. Proto is one of several Belgian keepers in the spotlight these days.… Read More »
Twente forward Nacer Chadli has been chosen for the first time for Belgium after telling Georges Leekens that the ‘Red Devils’ are his priority over Morocco. Jelle Van Damme and Guillaume Gillet return to the squad. No place for Steven Defour (injured) and Olympiakos’ Kevin Mirallas. It’s a very strong squad and shows the country’s… Read More »
There was very little good football on view last weekend in the Jupiler League, even from the clubs that took three points. It’s to be expected in the smaller leagues now that football is business with a capital B. Talented Belgians, and there are many, want to play abroad and talented foreigners don’t often want… Read More »
Lots of journos (BBC, Kicker, Marca) did not make it to Brussels for Lukaku’s Christmas special press conference. They did not miss too much real news. The young striker said that he would listen to his father (ex striker in the Belgian league, Roger Lukaku) and his agent when it came to thinking about his… Read More »