Cup time. This afternoon football-loving Belgium settles into its seat – or in its slightly less comfortable seat at the Heysel – for the final of the Croky Cup (at 2.30 pm, live on VTM). KV Mechelen versus Antwerp. An appointment with history that is approached differently in both camps.
1995-1996. It has been 27 years since a Belgian club won the double again. Champion and cup winner. Club Brugge was then allowed to uncork the champagne twice. Dany Verlinden in goal, Franky Van der Elst wore the captain’s armband and the new Croatian duo Mario Stanic – Robert Spehar had to score goals. So that time.
Goalkeeper Jean Butez, captain Toby Alderweireld and killer Vincent Janssen can follow in their footsteps 27 years later. An Antwerp double, six years after promotion to 1A. It would be unique for the ‘Great Old’, after four national titles and three cups (the last of which was only three years ago). The road is certainly still long in the play-offs, but a win at Heysel can only be an extra boost.
Antwerp wants that cup, but it also wants more. You notice everything that at Antwerp they believe more than ever that it is possible, that title. Finally be the best in the country again. Paul Gheysens and co stop for nothing or nobody. That is also the reason why men with experience such as Janssen, Alderweireld and also Mark van Bommel were brought to the Bosuil for a lot of money last summer. Grab prices.
5-0 in March
Actually, not a single Antwerp supporter takes into account that things go wrong, certainly not after that 5-0 victory at the beginning of March in the competition against Mechelen and the changeable form that Steven Defour’s men are in. Antwerp is top favourite. And that is precisely the danger that Van Bommel warns about. Anyone who is nonchalant will run into the knife against this Mechelen. Do you remember how four years ago they put AA Gent in their shirt as a second division team and went home with the cup? But watch out for Gaëtan Coucke, Rob Schoofs and Nikola Storm. Not for the double, but to make their season a success. Defour, the pit bull that he is, has never thrown in the towel in his life.
LOOK. Toby Alderweireld: “I came to Antwerp to win prizes”
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Tags: LIVE CUP FINAL appointment history Tribe number aims double Malinwa cup years Cup final Mechelen Antwerp
