Belgium is looking for a sensation! A newcomer who has been missing in the first league for 48 years is heading for the title. Royale Union SG boasts an illustrious history

Belgium are looking for probably the biggest surprise in European football in years. The title is on the line for the team that has been promoted to the top competition after 48 years. Royale Union SG has an illustrious history.

Anderlecht, Bruges, Antwerp and Royale Union Saint-Gilloise. These four clubs make up the group that will battle it out for the league title in Belgium. However, the participation of the last-mentioned club in particular is surprising.

Royale Union SG dominated the regular season with 77 points, five points ahead of second-placed Bruges. However, they will have to make do with just a three-point lead in the extra time due to the competition rules.

If the team from Brussels had not won the title, it would not have mattered. However, if they did, it would be a big sensation. Only Anderlecht and Brugge have more titles than the Royale Union, after 48 years in the league.

The team from the Brussels district of Saint-Gilloise has won 11 titles in its illustrious history, but the last time it was crowned was in 1935. The club is now enjoying a spectacular renaissance that could fascinate the whole of Europe.

Moreover, Union still plays in a stadium that has stood for over 100 years. Although it does not even have a capacity of 10 000 seats, it is a protected building and is appreciated by all.

However, the question is whether this beautiful story would have been written if the club had not been bought in 2018 by Englishman Tony Bloom, who also owns Brighton, and his business partner Alex Muzio. They then wanted to buy a club that was easily accessible from London, relatively cheap with exciting potential and a fan base.

And because they wanted to win, they didn’t buy in France, Italy or Spain. When they bought the Royale Union, it was a second division side. Now they’re dreaming of their first major title, and it’s damn close!

The strongest point of this team is undoubtedly its team spirit along with its modesty. The team does not rely on big egos and star players, on the contrary. They scrutinize every player not only from a footballing point of view but also from a human point of view.

Coach Felice Mazzu was worried about all the publicity that swirled around the team during the season. He was afraid that the players would lose their heads. “We are an average team, only a few players here had first league experience. We were successful because we stayed the same, kept our feet on the ground and tried to have fun. We have to be vigilant,” he told The Brussels Times.

The Royale will not have it easy in the extra time. Only against Anderlecht did the Brussels side manage to win both games, with Antwerp winning once and losing once, and with Bruges losing and drawing.

Source: Jupiler Pro League, The Brussels Times