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 »
I’m getting back into the Belgofoot business after a bit of a break. The international team are meeting up again for their European qualification games and I managed to take in the Belgian Cup Final last weekend in Brussels. Following that come the infamous Belgian Playoffs. First up was the Cup Final. It was a… Read More »
A little history In recent years, the bigger clubs in Belgium have not taken the Belgian Cup very seriously. Anderlecht and Club Brugge have not appeared in the final since, respectively, 2008 and 2007. The last time two of Belgium’s ‘Big Five’ met in the final was in 2008, when Anderlecht beat Gent. In the… Read More »
It’s been a while since Belgium’s last European qualifying match when they struggled against Wales in Brussels. Next up are the games with Cyprus, at home, and Israel away. Cyprus should not be too difficult but a visit to Israel always comes replete with dangers. When Marc Wilmots comes to decide on his squad, he’ll… Read More »
Many eyes will be on the game at Sclessin where Standard Liege play Racing Genk. If this match swings strongly one way or the other, it could impact the games at Charleroi, Beveren and Cercle Brugge – with all three matches featuring clubs that could drop into the P03* places. Charleroi of course could go… Read More »
One final push for Genk, Charleroi need help from their friends in Liège. Charleroi were the big losers last Saturday after going down 1-0 to a Club Brugge side that won without looking particularly good. Preud’homme’s men are missing Victor Vazquez but he won’t be returning for a few weeks. Anderlecht, Gent and Kortrijk also… Read More »
A little history There are just two rounds of games to go in the Belgian championship before the season really starts with the playoffs. I’ve written many times about the system that’s disliked by the majority of clubs, punters and players. Here I’ll focus on the football side of affairs. With the points gained in… Read More »
Later today, Sint Truiden face Eupen in a top of the table clash in Belgium’s second division. The home team’s coach is 34 year-old Yannick Ferrera and with his team eight points clear of today’s Qatari-backed opponents, Belgofoot recently caught up with a young coach who has packed a lot into his career to-date. Ferrera… Read More »
The ‘football match’ between Standard Liege and Anderlecht today encapsulated every aspect of the modern game. On Wednesday I wrote about the good side of football with Standard Chairman Roland Duchâtelet releasing his international centre back Laurent Ciman who wished to move to Montreal with his wife and family to get treatment for their autistic… Read More »
Anderlecht visit Sclessin today and it’s likely to be a bit feisty. All the pre-match headlines have focused on two players: Alexander Scholz and Steven Defour. Scholz recently moved to Standard Liege from Lokeren. That didn’t please Anderlecht chairman Roger Vanden Stock who had been extremely confident that the Danish centre back would be signing… Read More »