Gent grasp hold of Belgian Cup
Saturday, May 15, 2010
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KAA Gent have lifted the Belgian Cup for the third time in their history, and the first in 26 years, after putting together a 3-0 victory over Cercle Brugge KSV in Brussels.
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KAA Gent have ended the season with silverware after sweeping aside Cercle Brugge KSV 3-0 in the Belgian Cup final at the Stade Roi Baudouin in Brussels.
The Buffalos closed in on their first cup success in 26 years and third overall when Elimane Coulibaly drove the ball into the left corner of the net after 35 minutes. Cercle Brugge bounced back with determination but it was their opponents who scored next, Mbaye Leye heading in with four minutes remaining. Christophe Grondin then added further gloss to the scoreline in added time.
"This is the icing on the cake," said goalscorer Leye, a Senegalese international. "Coming second in the league and then winning the cup is what the whole city of Gent has been dreaming about. This is a big day for the club."
While Gent earned themselves a place in the third qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League by finishing runners-up behind RSC Anderlecht, Cercle Brugge will now enter the UEFA Europa League second qualifying round despite losing in Brussels. Having finished third in the league, meanwhile, Club Brugge KV will now take the UEFA Europa League play-off ticket originally intended for the cup winners.
