retired_loubou

Wednesday 24th March:

I decided today to make an offer on a player on who I’m keeping an eye on for quite a while. He’s only 21 but he’s looking as a very promising player. His name is Carlos Diogo from River Plate (URU). I offered them €2.5M over 12 months.

Friday 26th March:

River Plate callem me today to let me know that they accepted my offer and that we can start negotiating a contract.

Monday 29th March:

I received some good news today as Carlos Diogo accepted our contract offer and he would join us the same day as Casas.

Thursday 1st April:

The board and fans are still delighted with the way I’m running the club.

As always there’s also the Goal of the Month:

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">1) Snelders for Germinal Beerschot vs. Standard2) Smits for Antwerp vs. Lierse3) Arsène for Beveren vs. Lokeren </pre>

Then I looked as ussualy at my manager profile:

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Ability to handle pressure 8 sameAmbition 10 sameLoyalty 9 sameMedia handling 19 sameProfessionalism 12 sameTemperament 12 sameReputation ok same </pre>

Friday 2nd April:

The 28th playday started today as Heusden-Zolder won with 2-0 against Genk. Because of this win they have one point less then 16th placed Antwerp.

Saturday 3rd April:

Brugge vs. Antwerp (A) 20.00
First division game 28
Attendance: 8445
Dry, 15°C

Team line-up (4-4-2): Butina, De Cock, Van der Heyden, Rozehnal, Clement(c), Verheyen, Ceh, Kallstrom, Englebert, Saeternes, Smolders

Lange and Mendoza haven’t scored in their last game and so they are replaced by Saeternes and Smolders. In the 4th minute Saeternes had a big chance but he blew it over the bar. In the 22nd minute Sergeant tried a shot from just outside the area but he couldn’t keep it down. Five minutes later Butina makes a big mistake and Gomez toke profit of it by scoring the 1-0. From then on they started to defend like I expected.

Half-time score: 1 - 0

Two minutes into the second half Maertens plays a long ball to Smolders and he headed it on for Englebert. He controlled the ball well before he slotted it home to make things level again. On the 70th minute mark Smolders played a fine ball for Englebert but this time he couldn’t finish it off. Three minutes later Kallstrom heads the ball to Gvozdenovic, who dribbled past his marker, before he sended the ball into the area. Kallstrom took the ball on his chest and then he smashed the ball past the keeper to give us the lead. From then on Antwerp were stunned and the game slowly ended.

MoM: Englebert (9)
Final score: Antwerp 1 – Brugge 2

Scorers: Englebert, Kallstrom
Assists: Smolders, Gvozdenovic

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre"> Substitution: 64th minute: Ceh, who wasn’t playing his best game, was replaced by Martens. </pre>

La Louvière easily won with 3-0 against Beveren while Lokeren won in and against Mons with 2-3. Mouscron lost at home against Anderlecht and Sint-Truiden did what they needed to do as they won in Westerlo with 0-2.

Sunday 4th April:

Cercle Brugge were the first team in 13 games that gave Germinal Beerschot a defeat. The home team won with 1-0. The other game ended in a 1-1 draw as Charleroi welcomed Lierse to their stadion. And the last game ended in a win for the home team as Standard trashed AA Gent with 3-0.

Saturday 10th April:

Brugge vs. Mouscron (H) 20.00
First division game 29
Attendance: 16975
Dry, 8°C

Team line-up (4-4-2): Butina, De Cock, Van der Heyden, Rozehnal, Clement(c), Verheyen, Ceh, Kallstrom, Englebert, Lange, Van de Ven

We had to wait until the 25th minute to see the first chance of the game. Verheyen headed the ball towards Lange, who tried a volley. His shot came back off the crossbar. In the 33rd minute Martic tried a volley but his attempt was saved by Butina. Van de Ven has the last chance of the first half in the 42nd minute. He tried a shot from just inside the area but it went over.

Half-time score:

In the 54th minute we were awarded a freekick. Ceh putted the ball into the area. Delbeeke pushed Lange in the area and the referee pointed at the spot. Ceh stepped up an kept his nerves as he gave us the lead from the spot. Seven minutes later we had another freekick from 30 yards. Ceh had a go from the freekick and it went in. It was a lovely freekick. In the 80th minute Mbo Mpenza was one-on-one with Butina but he blazed the ball over the target. Three minutes before the end of the game Mpenza tried a header but it was saved easily by Butina.

MoM: Ceh (9)
Final score: Brugge 2 – Mouscron 0

Scorer: Ceh(pen) (2)
Assists: Lange, Van de Ven

Also today Anderlecht won against Westerlo with 1-0 and Germinal Beerschot walked over Heusden-Zolder with a 3-1 win.

Sunday 11th April:

Today it was official that Valencia would look for a new manager as Rafa Benitez was thanked for his services.

I didn’t understood it as yesterday’s games were the only ones of this week. It was strange but the FA would have a valuable explaniation for it.

retired_loubou

Wednesday 14th April:

Today there were four games of the 29th playday to be finished. AA Gent won their game against Mons with 1-0 while Beveren and Standard ended in a 0-0 draw. Genk-Antwerp also drawed with 1-1 and Lierse won with 2-1 against La Louvière.

Friday 16th April:

There were two games today. I can’t say of which playday they’re because some teams played 29 games while other’s only played 28. Charleroi lost at home with 0-1 against Anderlecht and the other game ended in a 2-2draw between Heusden-Zolder and Lokeren.

Saturday 17th April:

Brugge vs. Westerlo (A) 20.00
First division game 30
Attendance: 10099
Dry, 8°C

Team line-up (4-4-2): Butina, De Cock, Van der Heyden, Rozehnal, Clement(c), Verheyen, Ceh, Kallstrom, Englebert, Saeternes, Mendoza

The first real chance of the game came in the 16th minute when De Cock putted the ball into the area. Mendoza was there and he putted his head against the ball. The ball skimmed the top of the bar. Two minutes later Dosunmu chipped the ball over Butina to give the home team the lead. In the 37th minute Englebert tried a weak distance shot. Six minutes later Van der Heyden played a great cross towards Verheyen, who headed the ball across the goal. The ball took a little deflection of Ba before it hitted the back of the net.

Half-time score: 1 - 1

In the 50th minute Stoica layed the ball back for Englebert. He fired a canon shot at goal and Deelkens was unable to keep it out of goal. In the 71th minute Paas headed the ball towards goal. I thought the ball was going in but a brilliant save by Verlinden prevented him from scoring. In the 78th minute Kallstrom fired in a freekick which was fisted away by Deelkens. The ball fell to Saeternes but his shot was to weak. Mendoza had another great chance in injury time but he didn’t found it neccesary to score.

MoM: Verlinden (9)
Final score: Westerlo 1 – Brugge 2

Scorers: Verheyen, Englebert
Assists: Van der Heyden, Stoica

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Substitutions: 45th minute: Butina came off, with a little knock, to be replaced by Verlinden Ceh also picked up a little knock and he was replaced by Stoica </pre>

Lierse did me a great pleasure by beating Sint-Truiden with 3-2. Beveren won in and against Mons with 0-2.

Sunday 18th April:

Antwerp managed to get a draw at home against Germinal Beerschot as the game ended one all. Cercle Brugge lost at home against AA Gent with 0-2. Mouscron won their home game against Genk as they scored two times while their visitors only score once. Standard took the three points home as they won in La Louvière with 2-3.

Tuesday 20th April:

Irureta was very happy today as he was appointed as the new manager of Valencia. A while ago he was sacked by Deportivo.

Wednesday 21st April:

Lokeren managed to win at home against Cercle Brugge. We were crowned as champions today because of Sint-Truiden’s 1-3 loss at home against Charleroi. I would have been happier if we took the tittle because of our own results instead of a loss from our followers but still I’m verry happy with this achievement.

Sunday 25th April:

Germinal Beerschot and Mouscron both scored once so the game ended in a draw.

Wednesday 28th April:

Brugge vs. Charleroi (H) 20.00
First division game 31
Attendance: 19610
Wet, 9°C

Team line-up (4-4-2): Butina, De Cock, Van der Heyden, Rozehnal, Clement(c), Verheyen, Ceh, Kallstrom, Englebert, Lange, Smolders

I surely hope we win this game so that the party after the game is even bigger. The first chance came in the 9th minute when Kallstrom’s distance shot went just wide. Then the game tempo dropped a bit but in the 30th minute we could have taken the lead but Lange was to selfish to cross an instead he tried a distance shot which went way over the bar. Our visitors almost took the lead in the injury time as Di Gregorio’s header was just tipped away by Butina.

Half-time score: 0 - 0

The second half was one of the most boring ones I ever saw as the first chance came in the injury time, but Kallstrom’s effort was saved by Laquait.

MoM: Laquait (8)
Final score: Brugge 0 – Charleroi 0

This game showed how we played the last weeks. We just can’t convince anyone we are the champions. We are rellay playing weak and I will try my best to find a good tactic four our last three games.

Genk won with 3-1 against Westerlo while Antwerp did a good job in their battle against relegation as they won with 0-2 in Lokeren. Standard easily took distance from Mons in a 2-0 home win. Because of this loss they’re certain of relegation from the first division.

Friday 30th April:

Heusden-Zolder won at home against Beveren with 2-1 while Anderlecht won with 1-2 in and against Sint-Truiden.

shannon2007

Excellent. Well done on the title, even if it was by default :p Hopefully next year you can reach the QF's of the CL

retired_loubou

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Peacemaker7:
Excellent. Well done on the title, even if it was by default :p Hopefully next year you can reach the QF's of the CL <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Thx my only reader/replyer :p

I hope so to

retired_loubou

May, the final month of the football season!

Saturday 1st May:

The board and fans are delighted with the way I’m doing my job and the board is also happy because of our tittle in the first division.

Then we had the Goal of the Month:

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">1) Van Zundert for Germinal Beerschot vs. Heusden-Zolder2) Habets for Antwerp vs. Lokeren3) Igor for Heusden-Zolder vs. Lokeren. </pre>

Then I had only one more thing to do today, watching my profile:

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Ability to handle pressure 8 sameAmbition 10 sameLoyalty 9 sameMedia handling 19 sameProfessionalism 13 1 upTemperament 12 sameReputation ok same</pre>

Antwerp lost at home with 1-2 against AA Gent while La Louvière and Mons both scored once in their game. That was also the same result in Mouscron - Lokeren and the last game today between Westerlo and Germinal Beerschot ended 0-2.

Sunday 2nd May:

Cercle Brugge defeated Standard at home with 1-0 while Charleroi easily won their home game against Genk with 3-0.

Brugge vs. Lierse (A) 20.00
First division game 32
Attendance: 10906
Dry, 11°C

Team line-up (4-3-3): Butina, De Cock, Van der Heyden, Rozehnal, Clement(c), Verheyen, Ceh, Kallstrom, Englebert, Lange, Mendoza

I decided to try a 4-3-3 tactic with Mendoza on the left, Kallstrom as central and Lange as right side forward. The first real chance came in the 7th minute. Englebert tried a shot from just outside the area but Van der Straeten parried it. Nine minutes later Mitu aimed for the top corner but his shot stranded in the side netting. In the 36th minute De Wilde had a good chance but his shot was tipped away by Butina.

Half-time score: 0 - 0

From the kick-off we had a nice action. Ceh played the ball up to Mendoza, who now had the ball on the left wing. He played a cross to the far post and Lange was there to put his head against the ball. But it just went over the bar. In the 56th minute Delorge had a nice chance for Lierse but Butina saved it nicely. Thirteen minutes later Englebert had the ball just behind our striker line. He played the ball up to Mendoza. He moved in on goal and scored. Nine minutes before the end of the game Lange almost doubled our lead with a fine header but it was saaved by the keeper. Two minutes later Kallstrom plays a nice trough ball for Lange. He picks up the pass and fires it in low across the body of the keeper. It was the last chance of the game but I was very happy with the way we played here.

MoM: Mendoza (9)
Final score: Lierse 0 – Brugge 2

Scorers: Mendoza, Lange
Assists: Englebert, Kallstrom

Wednesday 5th May:

There were four games on the programme today as AA Gent and Heusden-Zolder played 2-2 while Anderlecht lost at home against Lierse with 1-2. Beveren vs. Cercle Brugge ended on three all and the last game today ended in a 2-0 victory for Sint-Truiden over La Louvière.

Saturday 8th May:

Brugge vs. Sint-Truiden (H) 20.00
First division game 33
Attendance: 15973
Dry, 11°C

Team line-up (4-3-3): Butina, De Cock, Van der Heyden, Rozehnal, Clement(c), Verheyen, Ceh, Kallstrom, Englebert, Lange, Mendoza

I decided to stick with the same team that won against Lierse. The game’s first chance was in the 11th minute. A freekick attempt from Ceh was saved by Belic. Four minutes later Mendoza had the ball on the left wing. Verheyen entred the area, where he controlled the ball, before he slotted it home to give us the lead. In the 29th minute Janssen almost equalised but his shot hit the upright. In the 33rd minute Van der Heyden crossed the ball into the area. Englebert’s
Header was pushed away by Belic. The ball fell to Mendoza who made it 2-0. Six minutes later Kallstrom tried a shot from distance but his attempt went inches wide.

Half-time score: 2 – 0

Two minutes into the second half Boffin played a nice ball for Oliveira. He made himself some space before he blasted the ball past Butina. In the 66th minute Ceh chipped the ball into the area where Mendoza powered a header at goal but Belic saved it. The last chance in the game was for us. Kallstrom entred the area with the ball and then he tried a shot for the top corner. Again it was Belic who prevented us from scoring more.

MoM: Belic (9)
Final score: Brugge 2 – Sint-Truiden 1

Scorers: Verheyen, Mendoza
Assists: Mendoza, Englebert

All the other teams also had to play this evening. AA Gent - Mouscron ended 1-2 while Anderlecht walked over La Louvière with a convincing 4-0 win. Beveren lost with 1-2 at home against Antwerp. Genk and Lierse both scored 3 times in a game that ended level while both Germinal Beerschot and Charleroi didn’t found the way to the goal. Lokeren - Westerlo ended one all and Mons managed to win at home against Cercle Brugge with 3-2. Heusden-Zolder lost in and against Standard with 3-1.

If I’m correct then today we’ve got the first sack in our highest national league as Olde Riekerink was sacked by AA Gent.

Saturday 15th May:

Inter Milan have won the Italian Cup today as they defeated Juventus with 3-1 over two legs. Inter manager, Alberto Zaccheroni, was very happy with this win as this will is going to be the only silverware they will win this season.

Brugge vs. Anderlecht (A) 20.00
First division game 34
Attendance: 26333
Dry, 9°C

Team line-up (4-3-3): Butina, De Cock, Van der Heyden, Spilar, Clement(c), Stoica, Ceh, Serebrennikov, Englebert, Lange, Mendoza

What a nice way to end the season if you can play against your biggest rival on the last day of the competition. I knew that we already won the league but I asked my players to give 110% of themselves in this game as I didn’t want to lose my last game this season and certainly not against them. I also decided to use some players I want to sell during the pre-season. The first chance of the game came in the second minute when Ceh played a lovely ball for Mendoza. He entred the area with the ball before he fired it into the top corner and we were leading after 120 seconds. In the 15th minute Baseggio tried a long distance shot but Butina saved it in style. Nine minutes later we saw the last chance of the first half and again it was Baseggio who tried his luck from distance but once again it was Butina who saved it.

Half-time score: 0 – 1

The first 15 minutes of the second half were controlled by Anderlecht but all those who had the chance to score were denied by Butina. He was playing an outstanding game today. But in the 59th minute he was defeated as Zetterberg’s nice cross was headed in by Seol. Anderlecht pushed for more after that goal, but the first chance was for us as Englebert’s header went just over the goal. Four minutes before the end of the game Sels has a big chance but he didn’t finish it. And so we ended the season with a draw.

MoM: Butina (9)
Final score: Anderlecht 1 – Brugge 1

Scorer: Mendoza
Assist: Ceh

All the other games were also finished today. Antwerp Lost at home with 0-1 against Standard while Cercle Brugge easily won against La Louvière with 3-0. Lokeren won in and against Charleroi with 0-1 and Heusden-Zolder trashed Mons with 4-1. Lierse defeated Germinal Beerschot with 2-1 while Mouscron won at home against Beveren with 2-0. The last game ended in a win for the home team as Westerlo won with 2-1 against AA Gent. Both Heusden-Zolder and Antwerp have 31 points which means they will have to play play-off’s to see who will stay and who will relegate.

retired_loubou

Cup winners:

Genk won the Belgian Cup thanks to a Kpaka goal and a penalty goal from Thijs. Sint-Truiden were left with nothing.

The Uefa Cup final between Roma and Liverpool was decided with penalty’s. And it were the players from the Premier League who did the best job as they scored four out of four while the Roma players scored three out of five. Liverpool deserved the win as they controlled the game most of the time. The final score after the original time of play was 1-1.

Man Utd have won the English FA Cup after a convincing 4-1 win over Newcaslte.

The Champions Cup was won by Lazio this season as they kept their nerves in the penalty shoot-out. Juventus scored three out of six penalty’s while Lazio scored four out of six. The final score in the regular time was one all.

League reviews from Italy, Spain and England:

And we are starting with England. The Premiership was won by Chelsea this season. They earned 87 points which is the same as Man Utd, who ended second, but their goaldifference was better. The teams who couldn’t stay up were Fulham, Man City and Charlton. The Top Goalscorer was Chelsea’s Crespo with 24 goals.

The Serie A was won by Juventus this season. Juve had 3 points more then second placed Lazio. Three teams were relegated here and these were Empoli, Ancona and Siena. Shevchenko’s 20 goals were enough to be crowned as Serie A Top Goalscorer.

And last but not least was La Liga in Spain. As everyone expected the stars of Real Madrid won La Liga. They had 7 points more the Sociedad who ended surprisingly in second position. Again three teams were relegated as Albacete, Valladolid and Racing Santander didn’t have enough points to stay up. Deportivo’s Diego Tristan scored most this season in the Spanish League as he found the way to the net 22 times this season.

Belgian Awards:

Belgian Professional Player of the Year:
Andres Mendoza of Club Brugge wame in first and he was followed by Standard’s Emile Mpenza. Third position was given to Marcin Zewlakow who plays for Mouscron.

Belgian First Division Goalkeeper of the Year:
Zvonko Milojevic finished first and on the second step was Bart Deelkens who is trying to get clean sheets at Westerlo. In third position was Charleroi’s Bertrand Laquait.

Belgian Manager of the Year:
As everyone expected Björn Noppe ended in first position and he was followed by Sef Vergoossen who won the Belgian Cup and ended in 7th position with Genk. In third position we had Jacky Mathijssen who is managing Sint-Truiden.

Belgian Young Player of the Year:
Zoundi who is playing for Lokeren ended first followed by Westerlo’s Dosunmu. Ending third was Dati of Standard.

Belgian Ebony Boot:
This is the trophy for the best African player in the Belgian Competition. In first position we had Olufade from Charleroi. And he ended before Machethe of AA Gent. They were followed by Beloufa from Mouscron.

Belgian Man of the Season:
Oliveira of Sint-Truiden won this award and he ended before Björn De Wilde from Lierse and Pieroni of Mouscron.

Belgian First Division Goal of the Season:
This award was won by Bart Van Zundert from Germinal Beerschot. The second best goal of the Season came from Thijs who is playing with Genk and the third best goal came from Beveren’s Yapi Yapo.

Belgian Golden Boot:
Zokora from Genk came in as first and he was followed by Belic who is playing in Sint-Truiden. And it seems that there isn’t a third player in the row.

Belgian First Division Revelation of the Year:
Nicky Hayen from Sint-Truiden ended first and he was followed by Kpaka of Genk.

Belgian Player of the Year:
Again it was Sint-Truiden who ended first as Kalisa was the winner. Thijs of Genk came in as second.

Belgian Rookie of the Year:
Vangeel won this award for his club, Sint-Truiden and in second position was Sigurdsson of Genk. It seems like the awards go only to the teams that played the final in the Belgian Cup.

Belgian First Division Top Goalscorer:
Anderlecht’s Seol finished first with 21 goals and he was closely followed by Club Brugge’s Andres Mendoza as he scored 20 times. Emile Mpenza ended third as he scored 17 goals this season for Standard.

Belgian First Division Goalkeeper of the Season:
Very strange as there is only one name on the list and this is Davy Schollen who is playing for, again, Genk.

And here is the final league table of the Belgian Competition:

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Holders - Club Brugge| Pos | Inf | Team | | Pld | Won | Drn | Lst | For | Ag | Won | Drn | Lst | For | Ag | G.D.| Pts | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 1st | C | Club Brugge | | 34 | 14 | 2 | 1 | 33 | 7 | 11 | 3 | 3 | 25 | 12 | +39 | 80 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 2nd | | Anderlecht | | 34 | 11 | 4 | 2 | 35 | 12 | 8 | 3 | 6 | 22 | 24 | +21 | 64 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 3rd | | Sint-Truiden | | 34 | 11 | 2 | 4 | 30 | 18 | 8 | 3 | 6 | 29 | 23 | +18 | 62 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 4th | | Germinal Beerschot | | 34 | 10 | 6 | 1 | 34 | 13 | 7 | 4 | 6 | 21 | 20 | +22 | 61 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 5th | | Mouscron | | 34 | 12 | 4 | 1 | 35 | 13 | 4 | 6 | 7 | 17 | 25 | +14 | 58 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 6th | | Genk | | 34 | 11 | 3 | 3 | 31 | 12 | 6 | 3 | 8 | 26 | 26 | +19 | 57 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 7th | | Standard | | 34 | 11 | 2 | 4 | 30 | 15 | 6 | 4 | 7 | 17 | 19 | +13 | 57 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 8th | | Lierse | | 34 | 9 | 2 | 6 | 36 | 24 | 4 | 6 | 7 | 20 | 30 | +2 | 47 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 9th | | Charleroi | | 34 | 8 | 4 | 5 | 26 | 14 | 4 | 6 | 7 | 9 | 17 | +4 | 46 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 10th| | Cercle Brugge | | 34 | 11 | 0 | 6 | 33 | 19 | 2 | 5 | 10 | 18 | 35 | -3 | 44 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 11th| | Westerlo | | 34 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 28 | 21 | 4 | 5 | 8 | 23 | 25 | +5 | 43 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 12th| | AA Gent | | 34 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 21 | 18 | 5 | 3 | 9 | 16 | 27 | -8 | 41 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 13th| | Lokeren | | 34 | 8 | 5 | 4 | 27 | 20 | 3 | 3 | 11 | 15 | 35 | -13 | 41 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 14th| | La Louvière | | 34 | 6 | 8 | 3 | 26 | 15 | 1 | 4 | 12 | 16 | 40 | -13 | 33 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 15th| | Antwerp | | 34 | 3 | 6 | 8 | 19 | 30 | 4 | 5 | 8 | 20 | 39 | -30 | 32 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 16th| | Beveren | | 34 | 6 | 4 | 7 | 24 | 26 | 3 | 0 | 14 | 12 | 36 | -26 | 31 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 17th| R | Heusden | | 34 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 28 | 24 | 1 | 2 | 14 | 13 | 42 | -25 | 31 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 18th| R | Mons | | 34 | 4 | 2 | 11 | 16 | 28 | 1 | 4 | 12 | 10 | 37 | -39 | 21 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| </pre>

As you can see Heusden-Zolder and Mons couldn't prevent themself from being relegated and they will have to play division two football next year. The two teams that are coming up are Oostende and Roeselare.

retired_loubou

Pre-season:

Nothing very big happened during the pre-season. Normally I would have given you a detailed review about it but because of a stupid mistake by myself I lost all of it. There were some new managers appointed over the whole world and there were some transfers made. The club who brought in the most players were Valencia as they bought Filippo Inzaghi and Vieri. For that last one they spended €42M. The board also expanded my training facilties and they installed undersoil heating in the stadium. They expect me to win the first division again this season. That are about the most important things that happened. But once again sorry for the little review.

I will now give a squad review of my club:

Goalkeepers:

Tomislav Butina, Croatian (9 caps), 30y: Butina played a terrific season last season. He was one of the reason of our succes. And this year he is once again the undesputed number one for the position between the sticks. He managed to 25 clean sheets last season, and I hope he does the same or evne better this season.
Last season stats: 47 apps, 33 con, 25 cln, 10 MoM, 7.21 avg. r.

Stijn Stijnen, Belgian, 23y: Stijn Stijnen was promoted from the reserve squad during the pre-season because of Verlinden’s retirement. He will only play if Butina fails or if he’s injured. He didn’t play under my management and maybe he won’t play again this season.
Last season stats: none

Defenders:

Philippe Clement, Belgian (24 caps/1 goal), 30y: Philippe Clement played every game he could last season and he did a great job. With an average rating of 2 tackles a game he was one of the best defenders in the Belgian First Division. This season he will play on the same position as last year, in central defence.
Last season stats: 46 (1) apps, 0 gls, 0 ass, 0 MoM, 6.74 avg. r.

Olivier De Cock, Belgian (9 caps), 28y: Just like his partner in central defence, Do Cock, did a great job last season. He was one of the reason that Butina got so many clean sheets. De Cock is playing his life long with Club Brugge and he said that he wants to stay here until he retires. I hope to see an even better De Cock next season.
Last season stats: 46 apps, 0 gls, 4 ass, 0 MoM, 6.52 avg. r.

Peter Van der Heyden, Belgian (15 caps/1 goal), 28y: Our number one choice on the left wing last season and also this season as he delivered fine work. He made an average 3 tackles a game last season and he ran a great amout of km on that left wing. So let’s hope he can do the same this season.
Last season stats: 42 apps, 0 gls, 3 ass, 0 MoM, 7.00 avg. r.

Ivan Gvozdenovic, Serbia and Montenegro (1cap), 25y: Last season he played on different positions as he doesn’t have a first team option. He played on the left wing in defence and in midfield. He’s a nice guy but isn’t as good as Van der Heyden.
Last season stats: 10 (5) apps, 0 gls, 1 ass, 0 MoM, 6.67 avg. r.

Birger Maertens, Belgian, 24y: He got a first team position from the moment that Simons moved to Deportivo and he did a nice job to replace him. But this season he’s moving to the bench again as I will use Diogo on the right hand side of the defence. He made 4.40 tackels a game average last season which is really good, but he has the time top grow even better.
Last season stats: 18 (4) apps, 0 gls, 1 ass, 0 MoM, 6.68 avg. r.

Midfielders:

Gert Verheyen, Belgian (50 caps/10 goals), 33y: last year fans favourite Gert Verheyen did a great job as right winger but I expected just a little more goals from him. I don’t say he played bad as everyone played very well last season. Because of his age I think this will be his last season as first choice.
Last season stats: 41 (2) apps, 7 gls, 7 ass, 3 MoM, 6.91 avg. r.

Gaëtan Englebert, Belgian (12 caps), 28y: He played a great season as he was the only midfieler who didn’t have to take an attacking option in my 4-4-2 tactic but still he managed to get 5 goals. Let’s hope that he can confirm last season by playing an even better season this year. Last season stats: 48 apps, 5 gls, 6 ass, 2 MoM, 7.10 avg. r.

Nastja Ceh, Slovenian (20 caps/4 goals), 26y: I don’t know how many times he dribbled his way to the by line last season but it sure was a lot of times. Ceh is one of the best dribblers in the squad and he can also deliver a nice cross. He even picked up his goals in some matches. This season he will start on the same position as last year, the left wing.
Last season stats: 44 apps, 5 gls, 13 ass, 1 MoM, 6.80 avg. r.

Alin Stoica, Romanian (17 caps/2 goals), 24y: Alin Stoica couldn’t impress me last season so it will be very hard to play some games this season. I will see how it goes and maybe I will try to sell him in december.
Last season stats: 7 (10) apps, 0 gls, 1 ass, 0 MoM, 6.88 avg. r.

Carlos Diogo, Uruguayan (4 caps), 21y: One of the new boys who arrived at the club. He will start at the right side in defence this season but it could be that he sometimes plays in midfieild. I’m expecting a lot of this player but he still has the time to grow.
Last season stats: €2,6M signing from River Plate (URU).

Kim Kallstrom, Swedish (17caps/1 goal), 21y: Kim started very well last season because he was played right behind the two strikers but in my 4-4-2 he was a little bit more invincible. But still he played well and hopefully he can score more this season. He has attracted intrest from Malaga,Espanyol and Aston Villa but I don’t want to sell him unless they are willing to spend much.
Last season stats: 43 apps, 6 gls, 5 ass, 1 MoM, 6.79 avg. r.

Attackers:

Bengt Saeternes, Norwegian (1 cap), 28y: He started as my first choice striker together with Mendoza last season but because of two long term injuries he wasn’t in my plans anymore. Because of Casas’ arrival it could be that I’ll sell him.
Last season stats: 15 apps, 5 gls, 2 ass, 1 MoM, 6.13 avg. r.

Rune Lange, Norwegian, 27y: Because of Saeternes injuries he was choosen as Mendoza’s partner upfront. He played very well but I’m not sure if he will start this season. That depends on Casas’ performances. Lange isn’t the man to dribble, but if there’s a cross coming in he’s always very near to head it in.
Last season stats: 32 (8) apps, 19 gls, 6 ass, 3 MoM, 6.50 avg. r.

Gaston Angel Casas, Argentinian, 26y: I’m expecting very much of Casas as he has a lot of expierence. He played with Betis before he was loaned out to Racing last season, where he scored 17 times in 25 games. Let’s see if he can live up to the expectations.
Last season stats: €1,5M signing from Betis.

Andres Mendoza, Peruvian (48 caps/18 goals), 26y: Last year's club top goalscorer is unhappy since the start of last season. He is having personal problems and he wants to move as soon as possible. He played a magnificent season last year and I hope, if he stays, that he can do the same this year.
Last season stats: 42 apps, 28 gls, 18 ass, 12 MoM, 7.88 avg. r.

retired_loubou

Season 2003/2004 review:

Transfers + the squad:
When I first arrived here I knew the squad already as I’m a lifelong fan of Brugge, so there weren’t any real surprises. Although Butina and Mendoza surprised me the most. Butina was a big reason of our succes in the league and in Europe as he kept us up in some important games and Mendoza, well he scored goals with his eyes closed. I’m sorry to see that he wants to leave our club as we would miss him very much. The first signing I made was Källström from Djurgärden. I heard a lot of positive things about him but I didn’t know he was as good as he played last season. His performances got better with every game he played and now he’s wanted by some subtop clubs. I hope we can keep him for at least a season or two here at Brugge. The other transfer that happened last season was an outgoing transfer as I sold Simons to Deportivo on 20 December. I thought we were going to get problems with this in the back but Maertens did a great job in replacing him. Conclusion is that I’m very happy with the squad and the transfers that we’ve done.

The First Division:
I knew we were one of the favourites to win the First Division although others didn’t thought I was up for it. The team and I proved them all wrong as we really got off to a flying start. I was very happy about the ways things went further in the competition but the last months were really hard as we couldn’t dominate most of the games. Hopefully that’s just because my players were tired or so as I’m hoping that we can retain the tittle again this season. Sint-Truiden really surprised me this season and I hope they can give us a bit more competition next year. But my conclusion is that we played a great First Division campagne and I hope we can do it again.

The Champions Cup:
Well what can I say about this. It was really marvelous last season. I don’t think we will qualify ever again in such a hard group. It all started against GAK, who were easily put away. Then we faced Lokomotiv Moscow in the third qualification round. I knew we had a chance to qualify but we didn’t have much over as it came 2-1 over two legs. When I heard which teams we had to face in the Group Phases I was very happy if we could get away with the third position, but we did even better as we ended second and qualified for the second round. In the Group Phases we managed to get a draw at San Siro vs. Milan but we lost at home against them. Against PSV we won at home and drawed away. And against Marseille we managed to get a 3-0 win at home and in the away game we were beaten 3-1. Overall a good campagne. Then we moved on to the second round where we were drawn with Serie A side Lazio. When we won at home against them with 2-1 everyone believed we had a chance to qualify for the Quarter finals, but that dream was soon blown away as we lost two weeks later at Olimpico with 3-0. It wasn’t a shame as Lazio went on and won the Champions Cup and all together we played a perfect Champions Cup campagne. Let’s hope we can do even better next year.

Shermanez

Well done on the title, and unlucky against Lazio. Still, better luck with the new season. Rune Lange is my favourite player, due to Champ games gone by! Good work Bjorn! :thup:

retired_loubou

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Gino:
Well done on the title, and unlucky against Lazio. Still, better luck with the new season. Rune Lange is my favourite player, due to Champ games gone by! Good work Bjorn! :thup:<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Thank you Gino. I'm glad to see you're reading.

Yeah hopefully the next season will even be better

We will find out soon