La Louvière edge out Lommel juniors

Fixture doubts
Lommel had beaten La Louvière 3-2 in their semi-final first leg on 4 March, but since then have been placed in administration and lost all their professional players as well as their licence to compete in the top two divisions. After some doubts that they would fulfil the return fixture, they were able to raise a junior side to visit Lommel, and gave themselves hope of progress by keeping the first half goalless, the home team twice hitting the crossbar and visiting keeper Gert Davidts having an excellent game.

'Nothing to lose'
However, La Louvière went ahead on the night through Thierry Siquet on 49 minutes, and Emanuel Kenmogne put them 4-3 in front on aggregate five minutes later to ensure their progress to their first Cup final on 1 June at Brussels' King Baudouin stadium. La Louvière coach Ariel Jacobs admitted after the game: "They had to concentrate tremendously against those young guys who had nothing to lose. But that is part of the role of being a professional. We are in the final of the cup for the first time in the history of the club and 1 June will be memorable."

Belic saves
In the other semi-final, Sint Truiden held on to their 1-0 first-leg lead against KFC Germinal Beerschot Antwerpen to progress to their first final since 1971. Sint-Truiden goalkeeper Dusan Belic was forced to make some fine saves, especially in the second half, to keep the return goalless and guarantee that there will be a new name on the cup this year.

'A great period'
Winning coach Jacky Mathijssen said: "All the city of Sint-Truiden was behind us. I do not know how many fans buses will accompany us to the final but it will be great. We are in a great period with the club. Two years ago, the same team, the same group was nowhere. We were at the bottom of the league. And now this."