Friday night’s clash between Anderlecht and Racing Genk has all the makings of a cracker. The teams are level on points at the top of the table, with identical records. Genk just edge the lead at the moment; on more goals scored and a better goal difference. The match also takes Franky Vercauteren back to… Read More »
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 »
Belgium has a history of top goalkeepers with Michel Preud’homme and Jean-Marie Pfaff both being named world’s best goalkeeper in their time. Preud’homme, with KV Mechelen and Benfica, and Pfaff, of Beveren and Bayern Munich, spread the word about Belgian keepers far and wide. Head off to see Standard Liege and you’ll still hear fans… 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 »