Belgian football in a sorry state?

Discussion in 'Belgium' started by Belgian guy, Jun 20, 2008.

  1. Belgian guy

    Belgian guy Member+

    Club Brugge
    Belgium
    Aug 19, 2002
    Belgium
    Club:
    Club Brugge KV
    What does it say about our football when the two nations we lost qualification to never made it out of the group stage (Poland) or crashed out in the QFs (Portugal)? Remember, we never stood a chance in either of the games against them. Add to that the recent huge friendly defeat against Morrocco and Italy and this must be rock bottom for us, surely?
     
  2. Gorando

    Gorando Member

    Anderlecht
    Belgium
    Mar 12, 2008
    Belgium
    Club:
    Juventus FC
    Nat'l Team:
    Belgium
    If this isn't rock bottom yet, we should change nationality :rolleyes:
     
  3. urubelga

    urubelga New Member

    Sep 2, 2005
    Montevideo
    I still believe that Belgium has enough young talent to climb back to, at least, a relevant level.
    Lets see how the young guys do in the Olympic Games
     
  4. 17Roundabouts

    17Roundabouts New Member

    Mar 25, 2009
    UK
    Club:
    --other--
    Nat'l Team:
    --other--
    I too believe that Belgium football has a future at National level and they always punched above their weight,though the domestic game will face tough times with the global downturn...

    On that subject...what has happened to Berchem Sport?....this club is i gather playing in the 4th level of Belgiums professional leagues and has enormous potential..


     
  5. panicfc

    panicfc Member+

    Dec 22, 2000
    In my chair, typing
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Do you think the influx of foreigners has ruined the national team?
     
  6. 17Roundabouts

    17Roundabouts New Member

    Mar 25, 2009
    UK
    Club:
    --other--
    Nat'l Team:
    --other--
    Definitely ...I have seen this happen in Scotland in the Premier division which has a lot of foreign players and is also reflected in the number of players not going down to England,once this was a production line for the top 2 tiers of English football,but the introduction since the Bosman rule has seen teams in the SPL recruit rather than develope.

    As a consequence the national team of Scotland has gone backwards.Belgium has always had only small number to draw from for their national team,but the quality seems to be worse and that is down to foreign players coming into their league.

    I was big fan of Guy Thys in the 70s and admired at what he achieved with so little to pick from,and whilst Belgium has a proud record of 11 WC appearances,I think that they will struggle in future...

    I just wonder how clubs with enormous potential like Berchem Sports have found themselves lingering in the lower divisions.
     
  7. panicfc

    panicfc Member+

    Dec 22, 2000
    In my chair, typing
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    WHat is this Berchem Sport?

    I understand that the Belgian teams need to import players do to their lower population, but I think the clubs in Belgium need to think outside the box.
     
  8. 17Roundabouts

    17Roundabouts New Member

    Mar 25, 2009
    UK
    Club:
    --other--
    Nat'l Team:
    --other--
    I think the thing needed to be imported into Belgium is Dutch coaches,as the importing of foreign players is crippling the game.
    Bercham Sports are a club in the suburbs of Antwerp and I believe have enormous potential under the right coach & ownership
     
  9. panicfc

    panicfc Member+

    Dec 22, 2000
    In my chair, typing
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Coaching is the problem in the US as well. What might be better for the Belgian clubs is a German coach, with Dutch assistants ;)


    Bercham Sports - how and why do you know about this club?
     
  10. 17Roundabouts

    17Roundabouts New Member

    Mar 25, 2009
    UK
    Club:
    --other--
    Nat'l Team:
    --other--
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K._Berchem_Sport

    I like to follow small teams and travel about 5 times a season to watch Queen of the South Fc in the Scottish League Div 1...last years runners up to Rangers in the Scottish Cup( but struggling this season)...and each trip involves a round trip of 200 + miles

    I like continental teams and Standard Liege were the 1st ones I saw & admired how such a small nation could qualify with such a small pool.Berchem Sports have a ground that could accommodate top flight football in Belgium and support potential in the City of Antwerp.I am surprised they have an exclusive 100% players of Belgian nationality in their squads.

    I think the USA is doing OK in football but Dutch coaches would improve it more in terms of technique .I am going to follow Pittsburgh this year in USA 2 as I visit the City twice a year and will be keen to see how the game developes and admire their nursery system
     
  11. panicfc

    panicfc Member+

    Dec 22, 2000
    In my chair, typing
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Thanks. Checked out the official site as well.


    I know what you mean. I like the smaller clubs as well. I've seen games in the Danish 2nd, German Oberliga, and some really low level in Gorinchem (The Netherlands).

    Probably hard to get any foreign players in that division, not enough money.

    Stadium looks really old and pretty bad shape. Not sure they could step up, unless the other stadiums are equally poor.



    US - well its not as tough to qualify when you get to play Trinidad & Tobago and El Salvador as opposed to Germany, Italy, Serbia, Turkey.

    We lack tactical training from top of the development to the bottom. Our players lack the foundation necessary to make the move to Europe and also when we play against the top levels of competition. When we get better coaching, watch out.
     
  12. panicfc

    panicfc Member+

    Dec 22, 2000
    In my chair, typing
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    BRUSSELS, April 7 (Reuters) - Belgium dismissed coach Rene Vandereycken on Tuesday after a spate of poor results severely damaged their World Cup qualification hopes, a spokesman for the Belgian Football Association said.

    “We have ended our agreement with Mr Vandereycken after discussions today,” Nicolas Cornu told Reuters.

    Belgium suffered consecutive defeats by Bosnia-Herzegovina recently to leave them 11 points behind leaders Spain in Group 5 and five points behind second-placed Bosnia.
     
  13. 17Roundabouts

    17Roundabouts New Member

    Mar 25, 2009
    UK
    Club:
    --other--
    Nat'l Team:
    --other--
    Panicfc...that's not surprising as it dents a proud record for a small nation regarding the number of times they have qualified.
    I think it's time for them to take on a"foreign"( outside) coach as it's been a success with England in the case(s) of Ericson & now Capello and they need to work to their strengths ,as their resources are tiny.I think many good coaches,and there are a lot out of work, would jump at the chance to coach a National team...I think it was the great Helmut Schoen that decided after the 1966 WC that Germany would embrace the skills of other nations such as the latin americans of South America and add them to their own strengths...it worked and I think the Belgiums need to look outside their country to find a National coach.

    Baseball...I am a subscriber to MLB tv and run a thread on MLB UK Supporters club for the Pittsburgh Pirates,having supported them since 2000 and visit the 'burgh twice a year....just curious who do you support?

    http://www.baseballfan.co.uk/index.php?name=PNphpBB2&file=viewtopic&t=2929

    http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1199163248&ref=profile#/group.php?gid=169665550202
     
  14. panicfc

    panicfc Member+

    Dec 22, 2000
    In my chair, typing
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I think I know CubbiesDream from another baseball forum I'm on.
    ===

    I think you are spot on with them hiring an outside coach, and I would think a good Dutch or German coach would make sense.
     
  15. 17Roundabouts

    17Roundabouts New Member

    Mar 25, 2009
    UK
    Club:
    --other--
    Nat'l Team:
    --other--
    Cubbies dream is a moderator on the UK site & a top bloke and even though I had to endure reading in the Tribune last April the remarks that Matt Morris was more than lucky to get a $9m pay off with April hardly out the way,but he did not have to stay around for another 130 games!...I like the Cubbies and their tradition...

    Question...I am signed up to MLB tv and last night was a nightmare with "freezing" pictures making a farce of the opener and seemingly there was complaints from all over Europe...did you ( if you subscribe experience this?)

    Football--Agree that a German/ Dutch Coach would be the best option for Belgium and even a small nation like Malta stopped conceding bucket loads of goals after they went and got a German coach...and even managed a win over Hungary a few years back.

    Below is the website of the team I follow in Scotland ..

    http://www.qosfc.com/
     
  16. DSC05

    DSC05 Moderator
    Staff Member

    Jun 25, 2002
    Detroit, MI
    Club:
    --other--
    I know this is all off topic, but why on earth are you a Pirates fan?
     
  17. panicfc

    panicfc Member+

    Dec 22, 2000
    In my chair, typing
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I haven't subbed to MLb.tv - but did you send them your issues?

    ===
    QotSouth - pretty cool. Have you entered to be in the team? ;)

    ===

    Belgies - yeah, but I bet they won't do it. I want to go back to Belgium and soon.

    ==
    Cubbiesdream - I like http://www.baseballhaven.net, but he's on Talk-baseball.com
    (in my sig)

    The haven is pretty good, but they have a lot of threads about crap.

    ==
     
  18. panicfc

    panicfc Member+

    Dec 22, 2000
    In my chair, typing
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    He travels to Pittsburgh for work. (I'd get a new job :p )
     
  19. 17Roundabouts

    17Roundabouts New Member

    Mar 25, 2009
    UK
    Club:
    --other--
    Nat'l Team:
    --other--
    Hi DSCO5..

    LONGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG Story. but here goes.

    I visted the USA on 5 occasions and always to the same place..Las Vegas..and decided in 2000 i wanted to see the real USA..well I met a Lady on line( on a Civil War site)who by chance happened to blow me off my feet.She was the total opposite to me...outgoing,charismatic and a host of other great things.We met for Thanksgiving in 2000 for a week that changed my life and it was the start of a remarkable friendship romance.For 6 years I took her to Vegas ( twice)gettysburgh and Niagra Falls..as well as flying her over to the Uk for 10 nights.Sadly before I met Karen she had heart surgery with a valve put in her heart( + she was diabetic)and in 2006 she had a massive heart attack and passed away aged only 53...6 weeks before her sons wedding.
    The Pittsburgh Pirates were her team and she told me of the legends as we stood on top of Mt Washington & saw the old Three rivers Stadium prior to demolition,a s well as the new Heinze Fields getting built,and I have followed them since.
    2006 was a dark Summer for me and it was the Pirates( even an awful season) that got me through it...I watch MLB( WHEN its working) and visit PNC at least once a year and cheer the Bucco's on.
    This year in February I visted Pittsburgh and saw the most wonderful sight...Karens 1st born grandson and I visted her sons house on both weekends and dined at their table as a member of thier / my family and was always referred to as "Uncle Keith from England" whenever they spoke to the baby...

    I consider these wonderful people family and with the Pirates..it's not an option when it comes to support...though I would not swap them for the world.The memories of Forbes and seeing those retired numbers at PNC and remembering the legendery Roberto's legacy as an example of good citizenship and charity work sum up the Pirates theme from Willie "Pop" Stargell...We are Family:)

    Sorry about long winded reply but I never tire of telling people of my love for Karens( and my) family and my love for the Pirates...


    LETS GO BUC'S....................................:)
     
  20. panicfc

    panicfc Member+

    Dec 22, 2000
    In my chair, typing
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    That is an awesome story.

    Funny, I know a guy who lives in England, who is also a Civil War buff.
     
  21. 17Roundabouts

    17Roundabouts New Member

    Mar 25, 2009
    UK
    Club:
    --other--
    Nat'l Team:
    --other--
    And to add to that on my last visit just over 6 weeks ago I was presented with a small Urn of Karen's ashes by her daughter.Karen was very spiritual and caring and requested she be used for medical research and her wish was granted after her untimely passing,and the people in Lewisburgh WV hospital medical school performed research.The reason for the delay in receiving the ashes was because it can be between 7 months and 3 years when "donations"( deceased) are handed over and then returned to loved ones after cremation .Her kids were presented with her ashes at a yearly service for those who "gave" and were also thanked and given her numbered tag...and I feel humbled to be given part of her ashes ,as her kids are the only other ones who have some,and I have requested they be buried with me when my time comes.

    This might sound like something out of the Waltons but those 6 years were heaven and as a practicing Christian I am sure we will meet again in the life to come....and Finally......I never believed in organ donating but signed up in 2006 and carry a card in my wallet after seeing her example and wish to benefit mankind likewise.

    Civil War...I am lucky to have stood on the spot where Abraham Lincoln made his famous address and have it on my wall at home alongside Gen Robert E Lee...a visit is an experience to remeber..

    Regards and will get round to that baseball site...need to get MLB tv sorted out
     
  22. DSC05

    DSC05 Moderator
    Staff Member

    Jun 25, 2002
    Detroit, MI
    Club:
    --other--
    Wow what a story, thank you telling it and I'm sorry if it brough back bad memories. My mom's from Pittsburgh so I understand how their sports fans act about their teams and the love they have for them. PNC is a beautiful stadium, one of the best in the US.
     
  23. 17Roundabouts

    17Roundabouts New Member

    Mar 25, 2009
    UK
    Club:
    --other--
    Nat'l Team:
    --other--
    No bad memories DSC05..well just around the 1st week in June but the GOOD out way the bad by a million miles.

    I usually stay in Pittsburgh but Karen was from a small village called Beechbottom near Wellsburg WV,about 50 mile south,and I usually stay in Robinson in Pittsburgh and am either visited by her son or driven down by her daughter who lives in Butler Pa.

    It's a great City Pittsburgh and was ranked overall last year as one of the best places to live in the USA,and the 1st time in 2000 I saw it I was amazed how beautiful it was, and expected a scene of Steelworks and Chemical plants.I know the taxes are high( due to the funding of Heinz Field & PNC Park) to live there but public transport is as good( nay better) than most Cities and the view going through the Pitt Tunnel is awesome.
    Agree PNC is ranked as the equal of any of the new ball parks and I am sure we will have a team worthy of it soon.
    I am sure that it will not be a case of if BUT when Detoit will get an MLS team and know how much Detroit is as regards sports...as any Penquin fan will tell you ..and believe there is a market for football in Motown...even though heavy industry is taking its toll..

    Warmest regards..
     
  24. panicfc

    panicfc Member+

    Dec 22, 2000
    In my chair, typing
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Great stories 17. Thanks for sharing.

    Pittsburgh - its pretty cool place, but not in my top 10. Turned down a job in Pitt a few years back, don't regret it ;)
     
  25. Theopisa

    Theopisa Member+

    Pisa Sporting Club
    Italy
    Oct 7, 2008
    Venezia
    Club:
    Pisa Calcio
    Nat'l Team:
    Italy
    I wish Belgium as a football team to start being a good team again sometimes soon (the country is already great as it is).

    It really saddens my heart seeing nations like Belgium, Austria, Hungary, never qualify for any major competitions such as the Euro or the WC
     

Share This Page