Royale Union Saint-Gilloise won the Belgian Cup on Thursday after beating Antwerp 1-0 and ended 88 years without a title, the League of 1934-35 season.
Almost nine decades after closing one of the most successful stages of one of Belgium’s historic clubs, Royale Union Saint-Gilloise once again brought the trophy to its showcases and took to the streets of the fan base that two seasons ago started dreaming up the idea of winning a title again when they were on their way to scoring a century in white.
A Japanese, the hero
A goal on the brink of half-time from the Japanese Koki Machida It unleashed a frenzy among the stands that turned the stadium yellow King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels. The old Heysel, scene of ancient misfortunes, was the place where Royale Union Saint-Gilloise fans erupted in euphoria after their player’s goal.
Machida He took advantage of a rebound inside the area after a corner to score the only goal he showed on the scoreboard. His team, until that moment, had struggled to control the game. He was even saved from going back to the last thanks on the stick, because Jurgen Eckelenkamp A cannon shot from outside the area hit the woodwork after twenty minutes.
End the long drought
Machida’s goal changed the course of the match and Royale Union took the lead in the second half. He can still increase his difference, but Gustaf Nilsson, Cameron Puertas and Mohamed Amoura missed three chances it is very clear that they can judge the duel.
The final whistle ended a long drought without titles and many depressing episodes in which the Royale Union trudged aimlessly through the lower categories of Belgian football. His best period, between 1901 and 1935, during which he won eleven leagues and was runner-up eight times, was long gone. Their previous Cup was dated 1904, making it 110 years! to win again.
Sunset
After World War II, it began to decline. They still reached the semi-finals of the Fairs Cup in 1958, but were relegated to the Second Division in 1963 and again in 1965 after intermediate promotion. There began his descent into hell. It hit its lowest point in the 1981-82 season, where it became part of the fourth category of Belgian football.
The arrival of the British Tony Bloom Also owner of Brighton of the Premier League, in the summer of 2018 as the new owner of the club, he brought new times to the Royale Union Saint-Gilloise, which in the 2020-21 campaign, 48 years later, was promoted to the highest category of Belgian football.
The resurrection
Since then, it has not stopped growing. In the 2021-22 season they won the regular season of the League, but in the playoffs for the title they finished in second place behind Club Brugge. Furthermore, the following season they reached the quarterfinals of the Europa League and were eliminated by Bayer Leverkusen.
Last season they finished third in the League and in the current season they are aiming for the double after winning the Cup: they are first in the regular league and now they are fighting with Anderlecht and Club Brugge to be champions.
Source: La Verdad
I’m Rose Herman and I work as an author for Today Times Live. My expertise lies in writing about sports, a passion of mine that has been with me since childhood. As part of my job, I provide comprehensive coverage on everything from football to tennis to golf.
