Antwerp, Union tussle for title, looking to end decades of frustration

BRUSSELS : Royal Antwerp and Union Saint Gilloise are looking to end a lengthy Belgian title drought as they face off at the weekend in a clash that could decide the destiny of this season’s championship and end decades of frustration for one of them.

The two clubs, who play each other on Sunday, are level on 75 points heading into the final two games of the season, with Genk three behind.

Antwerp will be crowned champions with a game to spare if they win at the weekend due to the tiebreaker rules, while if Union upset their hosts, they will then need one point from their last game of the season at home against outgoing champions Club Brugge on June 4.

While Genk cannot yet be counted out, only the two at the top have their title destiny in their own hands.

Antwerp’s measly list of achievements belies their status as one of Belgium’s best supported clubs, having won the last of their four Belgian league titles in 1957.

But their 66-year drought is nothing in comparison to Union, who were the most successful Belgian side before the outbreak of World War Two with 11 championships but last won the title in 1935.

The Brussels-based club won promotion back to the top flight after a 48-year absence ahead of last season and were on course for a fairytale 12th title before being caught in the closing stages of the campaign by Club Brugge.

This season they are looking to go one better and win their first title in 88 years in an incredible rise out of the doldrums, benefiting from their partnership with Brighton & Hove Albion, whose owner Tony Bloom also has a stake in the Belgian outfit.

But home advantage makes Antwerp favourites to deny Union.

Antwerp’s emergence this season - they are on course for the double after beating Mechelen