‘As if all of them come from the Netherlands’

• Thierry Boon

  on the Belgian Cup Closing in Brussels

“Shall now we have some extra drinks or not?” Model new cup winner Mark van Bommel appears to be like to the again of the room in the course of the press convention, the place the cheerful assistants Andries Ulderink and John Stegeman have nestled. He nods enthusiastically. “Ah, just a few extra”, laughs Van Bommel.

Antwerp, with that mighty nickname ‘The Nice Previous’, the oldest skilled membership within the Belgian nation, is unquestionably again on the nationwide prime. The soccer membership from the diamond metropolis has been dusted off and shines once more as in its finest occasions.

And that partly because of the Dutch contribution. You possibly can draw that conclusion after an atmospheric and sunny Sunday afternoon within the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels, the place Antwerp is 2-0 too robust for the powerless KV Mechelen in a mediocre cup closing.

Vincent Janssen pulls, drags, pushes, fights and wins. The membership’s prime scorer chases a penalty kick into the nook extraordinarily cool. Simply as simply as a minute earlier than, when it turned out that he had already fired earlier than the referee had blown his whistle.

Calvin Stengs performs a really robust second half, through which he comes into his personal as a inventive passer from midfield. He provides the help for the 2-0 ten minutes earlier than the top, additionally the choice.

Jurgen Ekkelenkamp forces the penalty kick at Janssen’s 1-0. And Gyrano Kerk is typically a bit sad on the ball, however his velocity invariably creates a menace within the protection of Mechelen.

“The Dutch on the sphere are crucial to us, however this entire group is effectively put collectively.” After the win – his first prize as a coach – Van Bommel doesn’t wish to zoom in an excessive amount of on the Dutch enclave in Antwerp.

“The choice is filled with nationalities. However whenever you see how the gamers work together with one another, it appears as if all of them come from the Netherlands or all from Belgium. That is nice for a coach. Then you may ask quite a lot of them and also you additionally get a lot of them again.”

Whereas the gamers, with Van Bommel at an acceptable distance, have fun in entrance of the grandstand aspect filled with Antwerp followers, two males in fits watch from a meter or two in entrance of the dugouts.

For a number of minutes they stand there, within the shadow of the spheres of the Atomium, considerably clumsily unfolding in entrance of them. Lender Paul Gheysens, who has already pumped greater than 114 million euros into the membership, and his technical director Marc Overmars. Essential pillars beneath the present success.

“Marc is on the membership nearly on daily basis. He sees every part,” says Van Bommel about his compatriot. “Because of this, he’s typically forward of many issues, which makes it very simple for us as technical workers to work.”

“And past that, he has attracted just a few gamers who match right here completely. That can be his high quality,” mentioned Van Bommel, who feels the boldness of Overmars in Belgium and now works with a platoon on the Dutch.

How will these Belgians take into consideration ‘these Dutchmen’? “We come to Belgium as Dutch folks and at all times suppose that we all know higher. However it’s important to be modest,” continues the previous coach of PSV and Wolfsburg. “The best way now we have achieved it, it clicks very effectively. Additionally with the Belgians within the workers. And it transfers to the group.”

A successful coach is at all times proper. And whoever wins has mates. That is additionally evident within the press room of the outdated and imposing stadium in Brussels when Sporza commentator Peter Vandenbempt has completed his report.

“The impressions we Belgians get from Van Bommel are however excellent. He has an open means of speaking and solutions questions. Not all trainers right here do this,” says the skilled journalist.

“And Van Bommel might have a wealthy lender at Antwerp, he on no account has the widest choice. Properly, he lets Antwerp play very effectively and who is aware of what lies forward.”

Antwerp has certified for the so-called championship pool in Belgium, through which the 4 highest ranked groups will determine who can name themselves champions after halving the factors in a mutual competitors.

Van Bommel’s group, led by former Ajax participant Toby Alderweireld, is third for the primary of six rounds, two factors behind leaders Genk and Union. Antwerp can dream of the primary nationwide title since 1957.

Antwerp will go to Union subsequent Wednesday. The cup win undoubtedly provides a dose of confidence. Vandenbempt: “And earlier than you already know it Antwerp is champion and Van Bommel will get the double in his first yr. It is solely doable.”