Tony Bloom, a former professional poker player, and Alex Muzio, his London business partner, fell into each other’s arms after the whistle of a boring cup final. The two partners in a company that manages data for the gambling industry had always believed that their mathematical models could also lead to football success. Bloom took over English Brighton, Muzio became chairman of Union Sint-Gillis. He noticed that Brussels had a relatively large talent pool with only one football club in the top division. Six years after the takeover – Union was still in the second division at the time – the first prize was a fact.
“This is a big relief,” said defender Christian Burgess. “We are making history today. A lot of weight is now off our shoulders. I am very proud of the boys, everyone deserves this trophy: the club, the fans, the owners. A lot of merits go to our chairman, I am very happy for him.”
Thanks to extensive scouting and data, Muzio and his employees managed to recruit equivalent replacements after the departure of half the starting team and trainer Karel Geraerts. For Union, the Cup represents a first prize since 1935, when the Brussels club last won the title. For the last Union Cup of Belgium we have to go back to 1914, shortly before the start of the First World War. At that time, the Cup was still organized irregularly and Union triumphed 4–1 against Club Brugge in the Ganzenvijver in Uccle, the stadium of Racing Brussels.
Union is also still in the running for the title and can win ‘the double’ just like Antwerp last season. If 2023 was an exceptional grand cru for the Great Old, with the Cup, the title and qualification in the Champions League, then 2024 looks in every respect like the end of an era for Antwerp FC. Chairman Paul Gheysens’ team, like its owner’s construction company, has found itself in dire financial straits. This translated into the forced sale of goldcrest Arthur Vermeeren and a reduced enthusiasm among players and staff. In the competition, Antwerp has slipped to the last place in the Champions’ Play-offs after six defeats. With the cup final, the club had the opportunity to round off a difficult season with a prize.
That opportunity was sorely missed on a mild spring day in the King Baudouin Stadium. Antwerp was powerless to hurt Union. Trainer Mark van Bommel speculated on a bloodless 0-0 before striking a thief in the final phase of the match. The Dutchman, probably in his last matches in red and white, seemed to succeed in his aim. The first half dragged on at an excruciating pace with hardly any scoring opportunities. Until just before half time, Koki Machida put Union at 1-0 after a corner.
Inhibitory turf
Antwerp had to respond in the second half, but could not get into gear. The tiring season and the long, slow pitch of the King Baudouin Stadium did not help to speed up the match. It would take until the eightieth minute for Jurgen Ekkelenkamp to steal the ball from Christian Burgess and continue dangerously along the back line. Anthony Moris made the save and substitute Chidera Ejuke was also unable to score.
Ultimately, Union came closest to 2-0 with a save from Antwerp goalkeeper Senne Lammens on Cameron Puertas and a great chance for Mohamed Amoura.
Antwerp sees a chance for Europa League participation lost and must now hope for a miraculous recovery in the competition to get a European ticket.
Van Bommel dismisses the fact that the season was a failure without a trophy. “We are Antwerp, not Chelsea or Real Madrid. Last year we won everything. You can’t expect it to always be like this, it’s impossible. No one will tell me we failed this season. Many teams would love to be in our shoes today. No one would have dared to predict that we would win three prizes in two years.”
Union’s cup win also has consequences for Racing Genk and Cercle Brugge. Because Union had already secured European football through the competition, number four – currently Genk – no longer has to play in the jump-offs for the last European ticket. It is the number five, currently Cercle Brugge, that will soon face AA Gent, the winner of the Europe Play-offs.
