Belgian Jupiler Pro League Review
du Nord, June 11, 2009
Justin Paul reviews the Belgian First Division football league at the seasons end.Not a Country with a Football League, but a Football League trying hold together a CountryIl y a en Belgique des Wallons et des Flamands. Il n'y a pas de Belges.In Belgium there are Walloons and Flemings. There are no Belgians.-Jules Destrée - early 20th century Walloon LawyerIn a country lacking many shared institutions, some Americans will be aware there was a Belgian League, probably due to Oguchi Onyewu's role for repeat Champions Standard Liege. It was a clumsy foul by Onyewu that led to a penalty kick for Racing Genk in the last match of the regular season. Had Liege's keeper Sinan Bolat not made a crucial save, the title would have moved north to Brussels to Anderlecht that very day. The drama was added in this instance because the Turkish keeper had played for Racing Genk one season earlier. Anchored by a solid defense with Onyewu, the emerging midfielder Axel Witsel (winner of Young Belgian player of the year in 2008),