Brugge draw gives Anderlecht title
Saturday, April 24, 2004
Article summary
Hugo Broos' RSC Anderlecht side became Belgian champions on Friday as rivals Club Brugge KV were held.
Article body
RSC Anderlecht became Belgian champions without kicking a ball on Friday night as nearest challengers Clube Brugge KV were held to a 1-1 draw at R. Excelsior Mouscron.
Late equaliser
The Brussels club were handed the title after Belgian first division top scorer Luigi Pieroni equalised for Mouscron a minute from time to leave Anderlecht with an unassailable ten-point advantage at the head of the standings. Anderlecht visit K. Lierse SK on Saturday.
'Let myself go'
Anderlecht coach Hugo Broos and club chairman Roger Vanden Stock promised a huge celebration when the team returns to Brussels on Saturday evening. "I did not expect to win the title like this, but when Mouscron scored in the 89th minute, it was great for me," said Broos. "I had expected that we would have to win at Lierse to take the title. We still want to win and play well, but after that I will let myself go, you can be 200 per cent sure of that!"
Party planned
"I just got back from Cyprus, and only saw the second half of the Brugge game," said Stock. "But we are champions! I am so relieved. On Saturday we will hold a huge celebration party and next season we will maybe even do better than this year."
