Belgian Golden Shoe/Soulier d'or 1954-2010

Discussion in 'Players & Legends' started by PuckVanHeel, Nov 18, 2011.

  1. PuckVanHeel

    PuckVanHeel Member+

    Oct 4, 2011
    Club:
    Feyenoord
    I also have from a book the lineups of Holland-Belgium matches (a book written by a Dutch historian and Belgian football-historian). The most questions are about Ceulemans and Scifo so I write down the formation and where they played:

    1979 4-4-2 - Ceulemans as left-striker

    1980 4-4-2 - Ceulemans as left-striker

    1981 4-4-2 - Ceulemans did not play, Belgium was already qualified

    1983 4-4-2 - Ceulemans as left-striker

    1985 4-4-2 - Ceulemans as left central midfielder

    1985 4-5-1 - Ceulemans as right central midfielder

    1987 4-4-2 - Ceulemans as left central midfielder

    1994 4-4-2 - Scifo as left side midfielder

    1996 5-3-2 - Scifo did not play

    1997 5-3-2 - Scifo as left-midfielder
     
  2. Gregoriak

    Gregoriak BigSoccer Supporter

    Feb 27, 2002
    Munich
    In European Cup games of the mid-1980s, Jan Ceulemans wore the #6 shirt, which surprised me when I watched those games, as I didn't have Ceulemans down as a defensive midfielder, which usually is the position associated with #6.
     
  3. PuckVanHeel

    PuckVanHeel Member+

    Oct 4, 2011
    Club:
    Feyenoord
    I only saw the home game in full length against Borussia Dortmund. He was definitely not playing as a holding midfielder in that match. As far as I know, games against Tottenham and Nottingham aren't available on DVD (I did not see them anyway).

    I did watch the 1985 play-off games against Holland though. In that match, expecially the second one, he was often dropping deep and helping the defence in a box-to-box role.
     
  4. PDG1978

    PDG1978 Member+

    Mar 8, 2009
    Club:
    Nottingham Forest FC
    Just in case you weren't aware the game with Forest in Belgium is available in highlight form and the Tottenham tie in round-up form on Youtube.
     
  5. PuckVanHeel

    PuckVanHeel Member+

    Oct 4, 2011
    Club:
    Feyenoord
    Any idea where? I only saw a 5 minute highlight version or so.
     
  6. PDG1978

    PDG1978 Member+

    Mar 8, 2009
    Club:
    Nottingham Forest FC
    This is the Forest game: (not much of Ceulemans)
    [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZkHWZYHQvE"]fcb retro 1984 Club Brugge-Nottingham Forest - YouTube[/ame]
    The Tottenham one is only 3 minutes for both legs but Ceulemans does score in it so if you want that posted too I can do that.
     
  7. PDG1978

    PDG1978 Member+

    Mar 8, 2009
    Club:
    Nottingham Forest FC
    One thing I noticed watching highlights of Belgium games on Youtube was that the commentator seems to often thank the Belgian players when they score a goal (that's what it sounds like anyway as he says a word that sounds like thankyou or danke but which I assume is the Dutch or Flemmish equivalent as it wouldn't be French, followed by the players first name).
    Examples are the Georges Grun goal in qualifying in Holland and an Enzo Scifo penalty in the World Cup. I think he also says to Ceulemans "thankyou old-timer".
     
  8. PuckVanHeel

    PuckVanHeel Member+

    Oct 4, 2011
    Club:
    Feyenoord
    Hehe, that is Rick de Saedeleer, a famous commentator. In one match of Anderlecht against Real Madrid he said "Jef [Jurion] do something!" and Jef shot them, out of nothing, a round further. Very funny guy.

    In the heigh days of him the Dutch and Belgian broadcaster shared their commentators so also the Dutchies know him ;)

    He was also noted for saying "GOAAAAALLLLLL de BELGICA!!!" in the spanish-speaking World Cups of 1982 (in Spain) and 1986 in Mexico.

    Some other famous quotes:
    "Maradona..... it is not fair to field 10 other players when you have him"

    "Where is Jean-Marie? On vacation at the Costa Brava?" - WC1982, Pfaff is nowhere near his goal

    I don't know which goals of Scifo you mean but after the goal of Grün he is certainly not thanking him. He is saying "That is him, that is him [meaning the goal, he says not 'it' but 'him']. I don't know even who it is but we are again heading towards Mexico! Is it Georges Grün? That can be. Georges Grün. Ohhh! It is to become yellow of [euphemistic proverb for 'becoming unwell' - like getting a yellow, unhealthy face]."


    In the Netherlands you also a had/have few of these clowns, like Jack Van Gelder (you can youtube him, against Italy -"Italië" for example) and Evert ten Napel. Van Gelder is of Jewish descent, he said recently "It hurts to say, but the Germans are playing wonderful football". After the euro88 semi-final he put his middle-finger towards his German colleague, lol.

    But De Saedeleer is more tongue-in-cheek and polite. He is funny but also reserved in his tone, therefore there was also a certain irony in his 'GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL de belgica' celebrations. Yes, he is a legend (to the extent a commentator can be a legend ;) ), in both countries.
     
  9. PDG1978

    PDG1978 Member+

    Mar 8, 2009
    Club:
    Nottingham Forest FC
    I think we probably mean the same commentator (the bit where I thought he thanked him is at 5:06/5:07 after the replay) - good anecdotes anyway thanks:
    [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2a-PrG88Jo"]The Netherlands - Belgium 2 / 1 (World Cup 86 Qualifier: Nov / 20 / 1985) - YouTube[/ame]
    Van Gelder also is famous for this of course:
    [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsZkCFoqSBs"]Netherlands - Argentina: Bergkamp Goal 1998 (HD) - YouTube[/ame]
     
  10. PuckVanHeel

    PuckVanHeel Member+

    Oct 4, 2011
    Club:
    Feyenoord
    Your absolutely right! He is thanking him. I saw another youtube video without that part.
    But I don't remember that penalty kick goal.
     
  11. PDG1978

    PDG1978 Member+

    Mar 8, 2009
    Club:
    Nottingham Forest FC
    3:47 is the Scifo penalty (haven't checked if he thanks anyone else - maybe the Ceulemans old-timer thankyou might be in this shoot-out too):
    [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tnZcMVoyvRw&feature=related"]Espana - Belgica (1-1) (4-5 na strafschoppen) - 4de Finale - WK '86 Deel 3 - YouTube[/ame]
    NOTE Actually it might be a different player he calls old-timer.
     
  12. PuckVanHeel

    PuckVanHeel Member+

    Oct 4, 2011
    Club:
    Feyenoord
    Again correct. He said "Now, a man of a generation who was used to take the responsibility. I think you can guess who it is. It is Hugo Broos, he is 34". He thanks him indeed afterwards 'old-timer' and also thanks Scifo.
     
  13. PuckVanHeel

    PuckVanHeel Member+

    Oct 4, 2011
    Club:
    Feyenoord
    Yes, and this:
    [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOTBDryz0YM"]Ajax - AC Milan Champions League Final (Kluivert) - YouTube[/ame]


    Anyway, I found something new:

    Paul Van Himst was apparently ineligible for the Golden Shoe of 1966 until 1968 because the organisation decided to withdrew the past two winners out of the competition. I found it already a bit strange because he was topscorer in 1968 and somehow wasn't in the top 5.

    Regarding Scifo in 1985:
    As said before, Lozano returned in the summer and Scifo had to play second fiddle. Scifo scored less goals in 1985 and 1986 than in 1984. I read that the initial plan was to use Lozano as a substitute but apparently Lozano fought back and retook his place in the starting line-up, the place of Scifo. Scifo had to play elsewhere on he pitch instead.

    In the newspaper archives I found that he was playing bad in the big matches against Club Brugge. I also found he missed a penalty in a quarter-final Cup match, Anderlecht lost the match. Apperently, Anderlecht was playing in 1985-1986 less sophisticated than in previous seasons and struggling to score. Without injured Scifo they lost a first round cup match. Scifo was also absent during the two play-off games against Holland.
    Concerning European Cup matches, he was held responsible for some Real Madrid goals (that match took place after the 1984 vote, which Scifo won).

    In 1986 he received a red card in a league game against Mechelen. He received critique of the national team coach and players as Vandereycken. Also commentator De Saedeleer was critical of him (and received critique too because a young player will not play better if you spit on him). Scifo was apparently tired after the 1986 World Cup, so could not impress except for his stupid yellow card which suspended him for the quarter-final European Cup match.


    I hope this clarifies a bit.
     
  14. JamesBH11

    JamesBH11 Member+

    Sep 17, 2004
    Yes in general most clubs tried to keep the squad number in order - easier for coach and fans ....

    However manyl cases in #6: Moore for England, Baresi as CB for Milan, Djorkaef as AM/Forward for Inter, Hierro as CB for Spain, Zanetti as LB for inter, Carlos as LB for Brazil, Terry as CB for Chelsea ...
     
  15. PuckVanHeel

    PuckVanHeel Member+

    Oct 4, 2011
    Club:
    Feyenoord
    @PDG1978

    After the other top 50 by Voetbal International it appears 'Sport/Voetbalmagazine' got inspired to do their own top 50 Belgians, as well as top 50 foreigners and a top 50 Belgians by 1500 readers earlier this month (saw also the Dutch 'Tardelli' magazine will come up with one this year). There are some big differences between the readers and the editors.


    In January 2015 however they already did one for the 1974 - 2015 years (1974 is a common starting point because the league got expanded and all was now full-professional, including promoted sides from the 2nd division).

    This was then their top 10 (post-1974):

    1. Hazard
    2. Courtois
    3. Ceulemans
    4. Van Moer
    5. Gerets
    6. Pfaff
    7. Preud'homme
    8. Scifo
    9. De Bruyne
    10. Coeck

    Although they said ongoing careers are even harder to grasp, the high placing of Courtois received the most criticism. Hazard had back then one of the most productive phases of his career and March 2014 he was already discussed in potential 'best ever' terms by the same magazine (use google translate).

    This was their top 10 foreigners for the same period:

    1. Rensenbrink
    2. Lozano
    3. Lubanski
    4. Tahamata
    5. Haan
    6. Papin
    7. Boskamp
    8. Elkjaer-Larsen
    9. Morten Olsen
    10. Sigurvinsson

    --------------

    I'll just copy-paste the text and then also do this for the best foreigners of the top 50 (which is all-time, not only the last 40 years). Some things are very steady - I noted in the other thread Rensenbrink is unanimously seen as the best foreigner to ever play there... - but other things at the top a lot more fluid.
     
    PDG1978 and comme repped this.
  16. PDG1978

    PDG1978 Member+

    Mar 8, 2009
    Club:
    Nottingham Forest FC
    Really interesting to see Puck (just adding a quick approving comment as sometimes I feel I don't make appreciation clear enough when I leave a rep only after you tag me specifically).

    I'll be coming back to see your other posts for sure.

    Yeah, it's evident which period is the 'golden period' of Belgian club football from the foreigners list I think, but certainly there was no nostalgia in terms of selecting the number 1 Belgian (and as you say the number 2 too)! I'd say Hazard has only added to his case overall since, although the loss of form after Chelsea's championship season (under Mourinho) could be considered I suppose. If they were largely considering prime then maybe nothing should change anyway (they might even consider it a clearer choice if thinking of him as now actually more productive and/or influential) but his 2018 World Cup ought to boost him too for example. On the other hand, as always, different sources and different voting groups can always come to different conclusions. There are some parallels to Robben's high placing (although understandably not top for Dutch players!).

    EDITED to remove another comment I hadn't thought through lol!
     
  17. PuckVanHeel

    PuckVanHeel Member+

    Oct 4, 2011
    Club:
    Feyenoord
    Thanks PDG.

    I'll start with the foreigners, and just do the whole top 50 so that it becomes more clear where the (more) famous names as for example Yaya Toure, Edstrom or Jan Koller fit in.

    ------------

    40 Kurt Axelsson 10/11/1941 (Sweden) Defender
    Discovered during an international match with Sweden in 1967 by Club Brugge trainer Norberto Höfling. Graceful, controlled and intelligent central defender, authoritarian too. A pro in heart and soul, type Paul Okon, but harder in the duels and more often shoving inside to midfield. An absolute leader within the lines that demonstrably lifted the others to a higher level. The Swede was a forerunner of professionalism.

    41 Giba 08/07/1950 (Brazil) Attacker
    At SV Waregem, where he ended up in 1970, one of the trendsetters. Gent-chairman Albert De Meester was still looking for an exotic player and bought it away in 1977. Also at KAA Gent he played the pans from the roof ... if he felt like it. Was a barrel full of feints when he was in his day, but just as often not present. That lack of regularity marked his career.

    42 Alfred Riedl 02/11/1949 (Austria) Attacker
    Belgian top scorer with two clubs. First with STVV (1973), where he made his Belgian debut in 1972 and would play for two years. The second time was with Antwerp (1975) where he also worked for two years before going to Standard. In the four years that he played there, he continued to score, but not enough to become a top shooter for a third time.

    43 Alejandro Pozuelo 20/09/1991 (Spain) Midfielder
    Mostly foreigners grow in Belgium, in particular those from peripheral countries; rarely does a good, experienced foreigner brighten up our competition. Only by a less season at Rayo Vallecano could Genk bring in such a fantastic footballer. On a Pozuelo in shape, with its excellent free kick and unexpected passes, there is no size. He helps to push his team to an un-Belgian high level.

    44 Ralf Edström 07/10/1952 (Sweden) Attacker
    Tendril, strong but also technically skilled striker and team player who made furore with Sweden at the 1974 World Championships. After four successful years in the striker spot at PSV, he came to Göteborg near Standard through a detour. After two years he left for AS Monaco in 1981. The man with the golden head won five titles and three cups (one in Belgium) in three countries.

    45 Bobby Böhmer 05/08/1947 (Austria) Attacker
    "I was Mozart on football shoes. No one had more talent, but I did not always live like a pro", describes Charleroi's best foreigner ever. At the age of 23 he accompanied the Austrian trainer Lukas 'Harry' Aurednik to the Black Land. Artist, clown and instinct football player who refused to play the cup final against Beveren in 1978 and chose for city rival Olympic.

    46 Antal Nagy 16/05/1944 (Hungary) Attacker
    After his first (and only) international match with Hungary, he stayed in exile as a political refugee in Belgium, where after a year of suspension he rolled the dice as a right-footed attacker on the left of Standard. Made in a forward line with Kostedde and Galic 20 goals but left after the title. Fast, technically skilled and a formidable shot. Later played a few months for Antwerp (1976).

    47 Ruud Vormer 11/05/1988 (Netherlands) Midfielder
    No fixed value at Feyenoord, but at Club Brugge where from 2014 onward he became a supercharger in midfield. The tireless Dutchman grew into the personification of the Club values on the field and also became team captain. Won the Golden Shoe, helped blue-black to a title again after eleven years, made them hard to beat in European encounters, and is now even impact sub as Dutch international.

    48 José Izquierdo 07/07/1992 (Colombia) Attacker
    From 2014 until his departure to Brighton & Hove in 2017, he scored an average of one goal per two matches for Club. Also won the Golden Shoe in 2017 and became Colombian international. Was present at the World Cup in Russia. Flutters happily and freely through life and can always be found for a joke. Was very popular with the supporters because of his light-spirited nature.

    49 Nico Rijnders 30/07/1947 (Netherlands) Midfielder
    Stone hard but technically accurate midfielder who won the European Cup with the great Ajax from the visionary Johan Cruijff in 1971 and then surprisingly chose Club Brugge. Because of the money and the taxes, or because of the heart problems he suffered throughout his entire life. Collapsed one year later at Club vs Liege, was immediately the end of his career.

    50 Juan Carlos Oblitas 16/02/1951 (Peru) Attacker
    The technical prodigy Oblitas was one of the stars of Peru, with which he played 63 times and participated in the 1978 World Cup. The winner of the Copa América in 1975 helped in his first season with his compatriot Percy Rojas to promote Seraing to the first division and was then for three years until 1984 one of the better and most beautiful footballers in the highest class.
     
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  18. PuckVanHeel

    PuckVanHeel Member+

    Oct 4, 2011
    Club:
    Feyenoord
    30 Mario Stanic 10/04/1972 (Croatia) Attacker
    Played only one season at Club Brugge (1995/96) but won the double, thanks to his goals (20), which also made him the Belgian top scorer. Because of his successes at Club he got a chance at Parma, where he won the cup and the UEFA Cup, and later a shot at Chelsea. The goal-oriented striker, midfielder and full-back was also one of the building blocks of the Croatian national team.

    31 Gerard Bergholtz 29/08/1939 (Netherlands) Attacker
    Pummy ended up at Anderlecht as fast right winger in 1965 after several country titles with Feyenoord, where he also won the title three times. In 1970 he moved to Racing White, which merged in 1973 into merger club RWDM. Finished his players career at RAEC Mons. The bald Pummy was a scourge to many defenders due to his blistering speed.

    32 Sunday Oliseh 14/09/1974 (Nigeria) Midfielder
    Sneaked in low profile via Club Liege where from 1990 to 1994 he as physically impressively defensive midfielder became so good that FC Köln bought him away. Later strongholder at Ajax, then moving to Juventus, Dortmund and finally in 2005/06 running out at KRC Genk. Previously with Nigeria revelation at the 1994 World Cup, winner of Olympic gold in 1996 and again present at the 1998 World Cup.

    33 Daniel Amokachi 30/12/1972 (Nigeria) Attacker
    The creator of the very first goal ever in the Champions League, in Clubs match against Dinamo Moscow. The proud striker showed himself quickly and powerfully when he arrived in Bruges (1990) as a seventeen-year-old. He became Olympic champion with Nigeria in 1996, but neither with Everton, where he landed after Club in 1994, nor with Besiktas he repeated his previous successes.

    34 Milan Jovanovic 18/04/1981 (Serbia) Attacker
    Won a contract with Standard in the summer of 2006 through a test competition. The left winger not only conquered the hearts with his dribbles and goals, but also with his charms outside the field. Helped the Rouches to two titles, won the Golden Shoe and was the main actor in an unparalleled European campaign. After a failed season at Liverpool, he helped Anderlecht win two titles.

    35 Yaya Touré 13/05/1983 (Ivory Coast) Midfielder
    Excellent player at SK Beveren and from 2001 to December 2003 a hub at the Wase midfield. If he and his mates had their day, the opponent was being teased. Via Donetsk, Olympiacos and Monaco he reached the top in Barcelona in 2007. In Spain he won two Spanish titles and the Champions League, to then excel at Manchester City with three national titles.

    36 Frans Van Rooij 03/07/1963 (Netherlands) Midfielder
    For eight years in our country the technically skilled and aesthetic flavor provider was to be admired in the red-white of Antwerp. The Dutch playmajer had already won a national title with PSV when he was loaned to Antwerp and subsequently bought with supporters money. Arie Haan lured him to Standard a few years later with which he won the cup.

    37 Aruna Dindane 26/11/1980 (Ivory Coast) Attacker
    Got his education in the famous Ivorian football school of ASEC Mimosas in Abidjan, where Anderlecht found him in 2000. With his speed, the striker, who won the Golden Shoe in 2003, played an important part in the titles of 2001 and 2004. Played the last year against his will in Brussels, then moved to Lens where he no longer reached his former level nor speed.

    38 Bryan Ruiz 18/08/1985 (Costa Rica) Attacker
    Spotted by manager Michel Louwagie in Costa Rica in 2006 as the new Boussoufa. After a difficult first season at KAA Gent, the weasel flourished on the left flank in Trond Sollied's triple striker system. A year later he showed himself an excellent attacking midfielder, until FC Twente snatched him away in 2009. Strong at the 2014 World Cup with Costa Rica, also in Russia appearing as a titular. Nice to watch but slow and phlegmatic.

    39 Johnny Bosman 01/02/1965 (Netherlands) Attacker
    The slender center striker scored with the eyes closed, first at KV Mechelen (1988-1990), then at Anderlecht (1991-1996). Hard to believe that he moved from Ajax, where he won a title, two cups and European Cup II (1987) as topscorer, to Mechelen. His return to the Netherlands was not a success, after which he again became good at Anderlecht and won three titles.
     
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  19. PuckVanHeel

    PuckVanHeel Member+

    Oct 4, 2011
    Club:
    Feyenoord
    #69 PuckVanHeel, Jan 15, 2019
    Last edited: Jan 15, 2019
    10 Ulrik Le Fèvre 25/06/1946 (Denmark) Attacker
    With the Dane, Club Brugge wanted the new Rensenbrink in 1972. A sensational transfer, because Le Fèvre came over from the then European top club Borussia Mönchengladbach, with which he had twice won the championship and was regarded among the best foreigners. Helped Club to three titles, cup win and the final of the UEFA Cup in 1976. After the cup win in 1977 he returned to Vejle.

    11 Arie Haan 16/11/1948 (Netherlands) Midfielder
    Played on the midfield of the big Ajax next to Johan Neeskens and behind Johan Cruijff. After three European Cups and three titles he came to Anderlecht in 1975 where he was equally successful: a title, a cup and two cups in Europe (1976 and 1978). Base player with Orange at the World Championships 1974 and 1978. Also with Standard two times champion and again European finalist. Was not afraid to correct trainers and tell them the road ahead.

    12 Heinz Schönberger 30/12/1949 (Germany) Midfielder
    After German adventures at Kickers Offenbach and Tasmania Berlin he ended up in Belgium via Tilleur in the first division at Racing Mechelen. After relegation, the tiny Beveren fished him, where the game surveillance and perception helped in the midfield and Pfaff guarded the back. The result: two surprise league titles, two cups and the semi-final of European Cup II against Barcelona.

    13 Jean-Pierre Papin 05/11/1964 (France) Attacker
    Via a tip from Raoul Lambert by Club removed from Valenciennes. Made 32 goals in his only season in Belgium, played his part in the World Cup and became the next season at Marseille French international. In addition to six national titles, Papin also featured in a couple European finals with Marseille, Milan (did not play the final itself) and Bayern Munich. In 2008 he was voted the best foreigner of Club Brugge.

    14 Morten Olsen 14/08/1949 (Denmark) Defender
    Stylish central defender who rarely needed a violation to maintain himself. Broke through at Cercle, moved to the then top club RWDM and ended up at the age of 31 with competitor Anderlecht where he experiences the most beautiful football years of his life. After many prizes and a noted European Championship with Denmark, he crossed to FC Köln where he played until his 40th top football in an athletic league.

    15 Pär Zetterberg 14/10/1970 (Sweden) Midfielder
    Debuted at the Anderlecht Youth at Neerpede, but needed a loan to Charleroi to convince Purple & White of his qualities. With his technique and insight he led Anderlecht in two periods (in between he played three years at Olympiacos where he became champion every year) to six titles. Won the Golden Shoe twice.

    16 Mbark Boussoufa 15/08/1984 (Morocco) Attacker
    As young talent of Chelsea, he was referred to numerous Belgian first and second graders, until KAA Gent gave him a chance in 2004. The small Amsterdam-born Moroccan played mostly from the left flank, but was usually the conductor. He was also at Anderlecht where he won two titles, a cup and two Golden Shoes until the shining of the Russian Anzji seduced him in 2011, where they paid extraterrestrial salaries.

    17 Milan Galic 08/03/1938 (Yugoslavia) Attacker
    "He had to play football in Spain or Italy, that is made for him" said Standard midfield player Louis Pilot. But because those borders were not open to foreigners, the captain of Yugoslavia, a left wing of Partizan Belgrade, could never go to Real or Juventus. So he ended up in Liège at a club he had never heard of, but where he won three titles and reached the semi-final of European Cup I.

    18 Birger Jensen 01/03/1951 (Denmark) Goalkeeper
    Stubborn audience player and showman, but also one of the best keepers in the mid-70s. Was more than a decade under blue-black and nearly 400 official matches played. Five times champion, two cup win, and a force towards two (lost) European finals against Liverpool. Erected a tension field consciously around him. Sadly, playing abroad limited him to 19 caps for his country.

    19 Jan Koller 30/03/1973 (Czech Republic) Attacker
    After a tip from Josef Vacenovsky, the former trainer of Sparta Prague, taken to Lokeren as fourth Czech, but in the end the ball-fixed and strong 2.02 m targetman became the revelation and top shooter. Via Anderlecht, where he took two titles and survived past the winter in the CL, he landed in Dortmund in 2001 and crowned himself German champion.

    20 Hans-Peter Lehnhoff 12/07/1963 (Germany) Attacker
    For years the darling of the Bosuil where from 1987 to 1994 he ran into the beautiful weather. Midfielder with enormous action radius, taken over from FC Köln, cup winner with Antwerp and chaser of the team that lost the final of European Cup II in 1993 at Wembley against Parma. Later with Leverkusen still sometimes useful in the Bundesliga and locked starter in the Champions League during his mid-30s.

    21 Eduard Krieger 16/12/1946 (Austria) Defender
    The three years with Krieger as libero were the most successful of Club Brugge. With Happel as a guide he won three consecutive titles, a cup, but lost both European finals (European Cup III in 1976 and European Cup I in 1978). Krieger determined as a signaler and strategist when the offside trap was pulled open, the notorious weapon in the team that preferred to play high on half of the opponent.

    22 Paul Okon 05/04/1972 (Australia) Defender
    The Australian Marconi Stallions gave Club in 1991 a world class libero. Okon defended with flair and after a round of prizes (title, cups, Golden Shoe) he was transferred to Lazio in 1996 where he won the UEFA Cup. Then he left for England (Middlesbrough, Leeds United). Also played for KV Oostende later on.

    23 László Fazekas 15/10/1947 (Hungary) Attacker
    Already eight times champion and three times Hungarian top striker with Ujpest Dozsa, club where he grew up, when he landed in Antwerp at the age of 33. With his unmistakably refined technique and many goals he was, despite his age, an audience favorite. Moved in 1984 to second-class STVV. Was three times named Antwerp Player of the Year.

    24 Edhem Sljivo 16/03/1950 (Yugoslavia) Midfielder
    A gifted playmaker and ball virtuoso who ended up at Club Liege in 1978 after ten years of Sarajevo. Linked vision to insight and was a feast for the eyes. He quickly became the man around whom everything turned. He returned to Liège where he won the cup after wandering around Nice and FC Köln. A major car accident in 1987 abruptly ended his player career.

    25 Lothar Emmerich 29/11/1941 (Germany) Attacker
    A surprising acquisition for Beerschot. The top scorer from the Bundesliga of 1966 and 1967 had played the World Cup finals of 1966 and with Dortmund became champion and cup winner. The arrow-fast Emma became top scorer in first class (1970) in three years Belgium (1969-1972) and won the cup. Taking the ball and printing immediately, that was the strength of the German.

    26 Eli Ohana 01/02/1964 (Israel) Attacker
    His cross was headed by Piet den Boer in the European final against Ajax in 1988, good for the last Belgian European trophy so far. A year later, KV Mechelen also became Belgian champion. Brilliant striker with a velvet left foot, but sometimes victim of the rule whereby only three foreigners could be drawn. Before and after Mechelen the idol of Beitar Jerusalem.

    27 Ruud Geels 28/07/1948 (Netherlands) Attacker
    Patented goal scorer. Easily achieved an average of one goal in two matches, both in the Netherlands and in Belgium, regardless of situation. Arrived via Go Ahead Eagles in 1972 at Club Brugge for a year, where, like Feyenoord, he celebrated the title. Then he became top scorer with Ajax four times in a row and in his only season for Anderlecht (1978/1979) he also made 25 goals in 28 league matches.

    28 Erwin Kostedde 21/05/1946 (Germany) Attacker
    Played twice for Standard, with seven years intermission. Made 51 goals in 67 matches in his first three seasons. In 1974 at the German Kickers Offenbach elected as maker of the Goal of the Year. After another year in Liège, he became the top striker in the French first division as striker of Stade Lavallois, after which he helped Werder Bremen with his goals to promote to the Bundesliga.

    29 Dieumerci Mbokani 22/11/1985 (DR Congo) Attacker
    Anderlecht pulled him away from TP Mazembe in 2006, but found him too little disciplined - Standard caught him. Mbokani rewarded the Liège club with two titles and fantastic performances as an unsustainable striker. Later he became champion twice with Anderlecht. After five seasons in paid employment of Kiev, he still shows flashes at Antwerp.
     
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  20. PuckVanHeel

    PuckVanHeel Member+

    Oct 4, 2011
    Club:
    Feyenoord
    1 Robbie Rensenbrink 03/07/1947 (Netherlands) Attacker
    The Dutch forward dominated the Belgian fields throughout the seventies. As a player of DWS Amsterdam, he seemed destined for Ajax or Feyenoord, but with Piet Keizer and Coen Moulijn there was no need for anyone with his profile. He gave away his business cards from 1969 onward at Club Brugge, where he got the nickname snake man and won the cup because of his inimitable dribbles. The real breakthrough came to Anderlecht after his transfer in 1971, when Constant Vanden Stock made the switch and took the top attacker to Brussels. Rensenbrink would excel until 1980 and finally helped Anderlecht to European recognition. With two goals in each match he was decisive in the Cup Winners Cup finals of 1976 and 1978, and also had a foot in the four cups and two national titles of purple-white in that period. Especially on top evenings he was unparalleled. Beringen-away was a little less for him, he did not wear his tuxedo for that. In the lost World Cup finals of 1978 he played a leading role, but that did not suffice for victory for the Dutch against home country Argentina. In 1976 he won the Golden Boot, in 1980 he moved to Portland Timbers in the US, to end his career with the French second division Toulouse.

    2 Wlodek Lubanski 28/02/1947 (Poland) Attacker
    Perhaps the best center striker ever in Belgium, with an extraordinary technique. Both a good provider and a finisher. Made for Poland 48 goals in 75 international matches, but was allowed to go abroad during the strict regime only when he was 28 years old. At that age, he had lost some of his potential due to a serious injury - after a terrible tackle in the 1972 Olympic Final and then against England a year later. Arrived at KSC Lokeren because club leader Etienne Rogiers had a factory in Poland, and Belgium was one of the few countries with which the Eastern European country had a trade agreement during that period. The tricolores of Lokeren stole him in front of the nose of a few French clubs (France also had such a trade agreement). In seven years Lokeren (1975-1982) scored almost once in two matches, and together with Lato and Larsen he formed one of the best attack lines that this country has seen. Became vice-champion in 1981 with his club. Wlodek Lubanski was only sixteen years old when he made his debut in the Polish national team. He could bring a ball to a standstill without being grounded, just put that ball on the instep and immediately continue playing. It was a quality that stunned his trainers.

    3 Juan Lozano 30/08/1955 (Spain) Midfielder
    In fact, Lozano should have been included in the list of Belgian toppers, but his application for naturalization, with which he had also been available for the Red Devils, was refused by the government. For the football law he always remained Spaniard, despite the fact that he lived in Belgium since he was a toddler. In the 70s he was the sensation on the Kiel. The beauty of the game at Beerschot still took precedence over the results, although it still won the cup against Club Brugge.
    After an interlude with the Washington Diplomats on the side of the inimitable Johan Cruijff, he chose Anderlecht in 1981 to finally compete for the prizes. Lozano played a leading role in the UEFA Cup win against Benfica, where he made the decisive goal. Two years later he won the trophy again, but in the jersey of Real Madrid. Michel Verschueren lured the brilliant midfielder back to Brussels, where from 1985 to 1989 he once again provided beauty in the park and became champion twice. The double leg fracture after a tackle from Waregem defender Yvan Desloover in April 1987 marked the beginning of the end. Lozano once again tried to scramble up at Eendracht Aalst, but never became the old one again.

    4 Simon Tahamata 26/05/1956 (Netherlands) Attacker
    In 1980 Standard took the Molukker surprisingly away from Ajax, who had made an international impression in his first cap against Maradona and Argentina. At the Rouches, he turned into a tormentor of innumerable Belgian defenses until, at the age of 40 he hang his shoes at Germinal Ekeren in 1996. Tahamata dribbled Standard to two titles, a cup and a European final (European Cup II in 1982) and got a free role on Sclessin from Raymond Goethals.

    5 Asgeir Sigurvinsson 08/05/1955 (Iceland) Midfielder
    Roger Petit took the 18-year-old Icelandic promises international away from Anderlecht in 1973 and took him to Standard. There he became the patron in the midfield. In 1981 sold to Bayern, but especially at Stuttgart of top level. Made good weather for eight years, with a national title and a lost European Cup III final (1989) against Napoli.

    6 Karl Kodat 10/02 /1943 (Austria) Attacker
    The white pearl arrived at Antwerp via Austria Wien and Salzburg. A hanging center forward with technical ingenuity and a real goal scorer. In six seasons, Kodat accounted for 115 goals in 233 games. He made Antwerp one of the most attractive teams, resulting in two second places. Kodat also excelled in the European and top matches.

    7 Preben Elkjaer Larsen 11/09/1957 (Denmark) Attacker
    After a failed adventure, he blossomed completely open at Lokeren. Sometimes unfortunate and capricious, but always strong on the left flank in Lokerens vanguard with the three L's: Lato- Lubanski-Larsen. Was the sensation with Denmark at the European Championships 1984, which gave him a transfer to Italy. With the genuinely modest Hellas Verona, Larsen unexpectedly took the title, the only one in club history.

    8 Jan Mulder 04/05/1945 (Netherlands) Attacker
    'If only one player undoubtedly could play and make it in modern football, then Jan Mulder', the guru Constant Vanden Stock said in the late 90s about the early part of his career. The Dutchman with by far the most purple-white blood invariably sized up in the sixteen meters - the only zone on a football field that really matters for a team according to him. Between 1964 and 1972 four times champion, but left after a dispute with George Kessler.

    9 Jan Boskamp 21/10/1948 (Netherlands) Midfielder
    After three titles at his club Feyenoord, the granite Jan Boskamp landed in Belgium and became one of the best foreigners ever. More the type of Neeskens that literally and figuratively grabbed the opponent at the balls, and set out the lines. The sincere leader of the RWDM who took the title in 1975. Was that year also the first foreigner to win the Golden Shoe.


    -------------------


    Before going to the main thing (the Belgian players) I'd like to note Rensenbrink, Haan and Geels also make it in VI's top 50. The other compatriots do not.

    Obviously - if that's not already clear - above list only considers the 2.5 years Geels played in Belgium and thus not his full career.

    Eventually I decided to show the full top 50 in order to show where the more famous names fit in. Clearly someone like Papin is hard to rate for his 12 months, which contributes to the difference between the 2015 and 2019 assessment I think (though there are also differences for major players with more years).
     
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  21. Ariaga II

    Ariaga II Member

    Dec 8, 2018
    Any notable absentees on that list? Stephen Keshi and Kalusha Bwalya come to mind, but I already suspected from my WS-reading their online reputation supersedes their real life one. Pilot?

    Mag doesn't know Burger Jensen's lack of caps was actually due to a beef with Piontek. All the Danes played abroad at the time.

    Is Arto Tolsa ranked in Belgium? I read an article that said he had been voted in like top 3 all-time foreigners in some poll, which seemed a tad generous. :D
     
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  22. PDG1978

    PDG1978 Member+

    Mar 8, 2009
    Club:
    Nottingham Forest FC
    Lato isn't in the list himself despite getting mentions in the write-ups for Lubanski and Elkjaer-Larsen.
     
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  23. PuckVanHeel

    PuckVanHeel Member+

    Oct 4, 2011
    Club:
    Feyenoord
    #73 PuckVanHeel, Jan 16, 2019
    Last edited: Jan 16, 2019
    From the names who were not too old yet Lato, Hrubesch, Arnor Gudjohnsen I'm thinking of.

    Conceicao and Bwalya are also a good shout.

    edit: Tomaszewski another one. Needs a better check I think now.


    Yes, thanks, but there was no international calender yet, and it was a handicap to play abroad.

    This is even true for the elite national teams with players at foreign (top) teams. There are exceptions, but those prove the rule ;)

    Also check the many caps a Simonsen or Rontved missed, or Rensenbrink indeed (as noted on the other thread).


    Certainly not one for the top dozen or top thirty names, but is in cult works or websites sometimes mentioned.

    http://verganevoetbalglorie.be/panini-stickers/tolsa-arto/

    His best finishes with Beerschot was 4th once and three 6th places. Played only a couple continental matches.

    Possibly he 'lacks' something truly remarkable (a title with a small club, a deep European run) but was convincingly chosen in the Beerschot all-time XI by former players and supporters. Played alongside and protected the (I think) better known Walter Meeuws, who was more recognized by foreign magazines as Onze Mondial (e.g. on the shortlist in certain years).
     
  24. PuckVanHeel

    PuckVanHeel Member+

    Oct 4, 2011
    Club:
    Feyenoord
    That's evidently the mid-70s to the mid-90s, when it was in almost all years top 5 in the UEFA coefficients. Although Anderlecht already reached the Fairs Cup final in 1970 (with Van Himst, Mulder as main 'stars' and impetus), all the others are located between 1976 and 1993. They also rebounded quickly from 'downgrades' by UEFA.

    Hazard did have a sub-standard 2014 World Cup, but has added to his career with the 'second try' yes.
     
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  25. PuckVanHeel

    PuckVanHeel Member+

    Oct 4, 2011
    Club:
    Feyenoord
    In the next post I will really start with the Belgian players but one final thing here (actually a repeat of previous info).

    In 2007 there was an vote among former national team managers and also some other notable ones of a certain reputation. This one often returns in newspaper articles and profiles.

    Rensenbrink was the only one with an approval rating of 100%. The other foreigners with approval of 50% or higher were - in descending order - Zetterberg with the 2nd most 'thumbs up'; Lozano tied with Tahamata and Boskamp; Lubanski tied with Koller and Mulder; Haan tied with Elkjaer and Olsen. The rest was below 50% approval by former managers.

    Of course this has maybe also a problem in that not all managers & coaches saw them play (with the 'knowledge' they have now) or are interested in 'history', but nevertheless good to note and would agree the survey had at least a proper methodology.
     

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