Union, as champions of the classic phase, got a European ticket and set a new record. Almost 58 years: this is the longest interval ever observed between two European games for a club. Unlike 1964 against Juventus, the Union will have to receive its opponent(s) at OH Louvain and/or at the King Baudouin stadium.
The past glory of the Union is fully revived this season. But the certainty of finding Europe did not cause euphoria. “On the return trip by bus from Standard, the players were able to celebrate among themselves, but we didn’t organize anything special,” explains Maarten Verdoodt, spokesperson for the Union. “We know that we have done something historic, but the format (of the playoffs, editor’s note) does not yet allow us to be euphoric”. CEO Philippe Bormans also thinks it’s still too early to celebrate: “This whole season since the promotion feels like an epic and with the European ticket we already get ‘something’, but we don’t have anything yet. won.”
“Historical” is the right word to describe the European ticket obtained by the Union. The Union’s last European match dates back to October 7, 1964 against the prestigious Juventus in the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup, ancestor of the Uefa Cup. When the Union joins Europe next season in July, August or September – depending on the preliminary rounds or not – it will be at least after 57 years and 8 months, a record. No other European club had waited so long between two European matches. Stade de Reims came close in 2020 with a span of 57 years and 6 months between their last European game in 1963 and their return to the European stage.
Juventus, already a big club in Europe
The Union’s previous European double duel therefore took place at a different time. “But Juventus were already a big club in Europe,” said former Red Devil Paul van den Berg, now 85, who was on the pitch in the 0-1 loss. “Playing against Juventus was a title in itself. But we couldn’t do much that day. Juventus were already playing with the ‘catenaccio’ with a libero and a reinforced defense.”
Mr Van den Berg now has his fingers crossed that the Union are champions: “I hope they will be successful in the playoffs. They deserve the title of most regular team. Anderlecht started the season badly and Club Brugge also went through a less favorable period.
Where will the Union play?
The European duel at home against Juve in 1964 gathered 13,000 spectators at Duden Park. But for the next European campaign, the Union will play elsewhere. The Stade Joseph Marien does not meet UEFA standards. Two fallback options are on the table. “We will most certainly play the preliminary rounds at OH Louvain, and the group stage possibly at Heysel,” says CEO Philippe Bormans. “We still have to put this on paper, we feel a lot of will from the city of Brussels. But at the beginning of August, Coldplay gave several concerts at the King Baudouin stadium. This could run alongside our European campaign.”
The final decision regarding the venue for the matches will therefore probably only be decided when it is known with certainty which European competition the Union will play.
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