Heusden-Zolder complete meteoric rise
Friday, June 6, 2003
Article summary
K. Heusden-Zolder have become the second team to win promotion to the Belgian First Division.
Article body
K. Heusden-Zolder have become the second team to win promotion to the Belgian First Division for next season.
Origi goal
KSV Cercle Brugge ensured their top-flight place by winning the second division earlier this month and now they have been joined by Heusden-Zolder, who beat SV Zulte-Waregem 1-0 yesterday thanks to a second-half goal from Mike Origi.
Dream come true
The promotion is a dream come true for the club who 14 years ago were merely in the Second Amateur Division. Now, five promotions later, they are preparing to make their debut in the top-flight. "To play football in the highest division is a gift of god for us," said the club's chairman Stin Husson. "In the Jupiler League we expect 7,000 spectators."
Coach delighted
Coach Peter Balette was also delighted. "It is really a miracle what we have performed with this small club," he said. "Without the help of [KRC] Genk we would not have come this far [the club use Genk's ground and have had many of their players on loan]. I understand very well that a lot of Heusden fans were not too happy with us playing in Genk, but now in the Jupiler League, I hope we can win them back to support us."
