High stakes in Belgian Cup final
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Article summary
There is more than just a trophy on offer when the fallen giants of Club Brugge KV and R. Standard de Liège meet in the Belgian Cup final on Saturday night.
Article body
There is more than a trophy on offer when Club Brugge KV and R. Standard de Liège meet in the Belgian Cup final on Saturday evening.
European run
After finishing as low as sixth for the first time since 1992/93, 26 points behind champions RSC Anderlecht, Club Brugge must win at Brussels' Roi Badouin Stadium to prolong a run of 13 consecutive seasons of European football. Victory would also make Club Brugge the first team to lift the Belgian Cup ten times - exactly 39 years after their maiden triumph against VAV Beerschot on 26 May 1968.
'Save our season'
"The final can save our season," admitted coach Cedomir Janevski, who replaced Emilio Ferrera in January and will himself be succeeded by Jacky Mathijssen this summer. "After all the internal and external problems we have had, a place in the final feels like a relief. But we have deserved it and it will be a brilliant experience for our young players." Opponents Standard will be playing their 14th final - only Club Brugge have contested more with 16 - though these sides have never before met in the showpiece. However, Standard have triumphed just five times, most recently in 1993, and were beaten in their last two appearances in 1999 and 2000.
Trophy drought
Although the Liege outfit have already secured European qualification via a third-placed league finish, success here would excuse them the UEFA Cup second qualifying round while opening up a place for KAA Gent, who lost in the semi-finals to Club Brugge but completed their top-flight campaign in fourth. More importantly, it would end Standard's 14-year wait for silverware, their longest barren spell since the war. Coach Michel Preud'homme said: "The most important thing is the cup. The fans have been waiting so long for another trophy and they can be sure we will do everything possible to win it." His charges had the upper hand in this season's league encounters, winning 1-0 at home two weeks ago having recovered from falling three goals behind to draw 4-4 in Bruges in December.