2007–08 Belgian First Division

The 2007-08 season of the Belgian First Division began on August 3, 2007 and concluded on May 10, 2008. The championship was decided in the 31st round on April 20, 2008, when Standard Liège beat Anderlecht 2-0 at home. For Standard it was their 9th League Championship, but just their first in the last 25 years. At the other end of the table, Brussels and Sint-Truiden were relegated on matchdays 31 and 32 respectively. Behind Standard, Anderlecht and Club Brugge fought until the end for the second place which gives right to a place in the qualifying rounds of the UEFA Champions League 2008-09. On the penultimate matchday, Anderlecht won against Brugge with 2-0 which proved decisive in the end for them to become second.

Contents

Clubs

Eighteen teams played in the Belgian First Division season 2007-08. Twelve teams were from Flanders, four clubs from Wallonia and two clubs from the Brussels-Capital Region.

New teams

K.S.K. Beveren had been relegated at the end of the previous season with F. C. Verbroedering Dender E.H. replacing them as they won the Belgian Second Division. Lierse lost their spot during the promotion playoff and were replaced by Y.R. K.V. Mechelen.

Overview

Club Location Current manager Previous managers during Season 2007-2008
R.S.C. Anderlecht Anderlecht Ariel Jacobs Franky Vercauteren
K.R.C. Genk Genk Ronny Van Geneugden (caretaker) Hugo Broos
Standard Liège Liège Michel Preud'homme none
K.A.A. Gent Ghent Trond Sollied none
R. Charleroi S.C. Charleroi Thierry Siquet Philippe Van de Walle
Club Brugge Brugge Jacky Mathijssen none
K.F.C. Germinal Beerschot Antwerp Harm van Veldhoven none
K.V.C. Westerlo Westerlo Jan Ceulemans none
R.A.E.C. Mons Mons Albert Cartier José Riga
R.E. Mouscron Mouscron Enzo Scifo Marc Brys, Geert Broeckaert (caretaker)
K.S.V. Roeselare Roeselare Dirk Geeraerd none
Cercle Brugge K.S.V. Brugge Glen De Boeck none
F.C. Molenbeek Brussels Strombeek Sint-Jans-Molenbeek Franky Van Der Elst Albert Cartier, Edy De Bolle (caretaker)
S.V. Zulte-Waregem Waregem Francky Dury none
K. Sint-Truidense V.V. Sint-Truiden Dennis Van Wijk Valère Billen, Peter Voets (caretaker)
K.S.C. Lokeren Oost-Vlaanderen Lokeren Georges Leekens none
F. C. Verbroedering Dender E.H. Denderleeuw Johan Boskamp Jean-Pierre Van De Velde, Patrick Asselman (caretaker)
Y.R. K.V. Mechelen Mechelen Peter Maes none

Managerial changes

Team Outgoing manager Manner of departure Date of vacancy Replaced by Date of appointment
Sint-Truiden Valère Billen Quit 18 September 2007 [1] Peter Voets (caretaker) 18 September 2007
Anderlecht Franky Vercauteren Mutual consent 12 November 2007 [2] Ariel Jacobs 12 November 2007
Dender EH Jean-Pierre Van De Velde Mutual consent 19 November 2007 [3] Johan Boskamp 27 November 2007
Charleroi Philippe Van de Walle Quit 10 December 2007 [4] Thierry Siquet 10 December 2007
Sint-Truiden Peter Voets Caretaker replaced 10 December 2007 [5] Dennis Van Wijk 10 December 2007
Mouscron Marc Brys Fired 17 December 2007 [6] Geert Broeckaert (caretaker) 17 December 2007
Brussels Albert Cartier Fired 22 December 2007 [7] Edy De Bolle (caretaker) 22 December 2007
Mouscron Geert Broeckaert Caretaker replaced 27 December 2007 Enzo Scifo 27 December 2007 [8]
Brussels Edy De Bolle Caretaker replaced 24 January 2008 Franky Van Der Elst 24 January 2008
Mons José Riga Fired 27 January 2008 [9] Albert Cartier 28 January 2008 [10]
Genk Hugo Broos Fired 23 February 2008 Ronny Van Geneugden (caretaker) 23 February 2008

{{location map+|Belgium|float=right|width=450|caption=Location of teams in Belgian First Division 2007-08|places=

Anderlecht
[[File:Red pog.svg|8x8px|Brussels
[[File:Red pog.svg|8x8px|Germinal Beerschot|link=|alt=]]
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Brussels

Kits

Team Kit maker Shirt sponsor Notes
Anderlecht Adidas Fortis
Genk Airness Euphony, Carglass and Vasco Other sponsor: Asap.be
Standard Umbro BASE,TNT
Gent Jako VDK
Charleroi Errea VOO, Champion
Club Brugge Puma Dexia
Germinal Beerschot Legea Quick
Westerlo Saller Willy Naessens Industriebouw Side sponsors: Sika, Veralu, Gouden Gids, ING, Netex
Mons Jako Holcim Side sponsors: SGI, Foruminvest
Mouscron Errea Frinver Side sponsors: O2XA, Renault Mouscron
Roeselare Joma Deceuninck Side sponsors: Alheembouw, Molecule, Vanheede
Cercle Brugge Masita Vacansoleil Side sponsors: Vaillant, Renault Denoyel, Soncotra, Oud Brugge, The city of Bruges
Brussels Jartazi Vermeersch Construct and Kia Motors Side sponsors: Crefibel, Tonissteiner, Verabel, Alno
Zulte-Waregem Lotto BIK Woningen NV Side sponsors: Nollens Poultry, Stortbeton Declerq, Euphony, Mink, Giks Mode
Sint-Truiden Umbro Belisol Side sponsors: Radson, Start People
Lokeren Jartazi Edialux Side sponsors: DCM, Q-Team-VP-Lambrecht, Start People, vitrine.be, Garage Van Winckel, Van De Walle Industriebouw, Pingy
Dender Nike De Doncker, Van Roy
Mechelen Nike Telenet Side sponsors: Veolia Environnement, Krefima, Gybels, United Brands

Stadiums

Team Stadium Capacity
Standard Stade Maurice Dufrasne 30,000
Cercle Brugge Jan Breydel Stadium 29,415
Club Brugge Jan Breydel Stadium 29,415
Anderlecht Constant Vanden Stock Stadium 28,063
Charleroi Stade du Pays de Charleroi 25,000
Genk Cristal Arena 24,900
Mechelen Veolia-Stadion 14,145
Gent Jules Ottenstadion 12,919
Sint-Truiden Staaienveld 12,491
Brussels Edmond Machtens Stadium 12,340
Germinal Beerschot Olympisch Stadion 12,148
Mouscron Stade Le Canonnier 11,500
Lokeren Daknamstadion 10,000
Mons Stade Charles Tondreau 9,504
Roeselare Schiervelde Stadion 9,036
Zulte-Waregem Regenboogstadion 8,500
Westerlo Het Kuipje 8,200
Dender Florent Beeckmanstadion 6,800

League standings

Pos
 Team
 Pld
 W
 D
 L
 GF
 GA
 GD
 Pts
Qualification or relegation
1 Standard (C) 34 22 11 1 61 19 +42 77 2008–09 UEFA Champions League Third qualifying round
2 Anderlecht 34 21 7 6 59 31 +28 70 2008–09 UEFA Champions League Second qualifying round
3 Club Brugge 34 20 7 7 45 30 +15 67 2008–09 UEFA Cup First round
4 Cercle Brugge 34 17 9 8 62 33 +29 60
5 Germinal Beerschot 34 16 7 11 46 34 +12 55 UEFA Intertoto Cup 2008 Second round [11]
6 Gent 34 14 10 10 57 46 +11 52 UEFA Cup 2008–09 Second qualifying round
7 Zulte-Waregem 34 13 8 13 47 54 −7 47
8 Charleroi 34 13 7 14 41 45 −4 46
9 Westerlo 34 12 9 13 43 37 +6 45
10 Genk 34 12 9 13 54 55 −1 45
11 Mouscron 34 12 6 16 38 43 −5 42
12 Lokeren 34 9 15 10 32 33 −1 42
13 Mechelen 34 10 10 14 45 52 −7 40
14 Roeselare 34 9 11 14 36 55 −19 38
15 Dender 34 9 6 19 33 59 −26 33
16 Mons 34 7 12 15 37 45 −8 33
17 Sint-Truiden (R) 34 6 9 19 32 58 −26 27 Belgian Second Division
18 Brussels (R) 34 4 7 23 27 66 −39 19

Source: Jupiler League
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) number of matches won; if teams are still tied a playoff is organised.
(C) = Champion; (R) = Relegated; (P) = Promoted; (O) = Play-off winner; (A) = Advances to a further round.
Only applicable when the season is not finished:
(Q) = Qualified to the phase of tournament indicated; (TQ) = Qualified to tournament, but not yet to the particular phase indicated; (DQ) = Disqualified from tournament.

Belgian League 2007-08 Winners
Standard Liège
9th Title

Season statistics

Scoring

Cards

Results

Home \ Away1 AND GNK STA GNT CHA CLU GBA WES MON MOU ROE CER BRU ZWA STR LOK DEN KVM
Anderlecht 1–0 0–0 2–1 0–1 2–0 2–0 3–1 3–2 2–1 5–0 3–1 3–0 2–2 4–1 1–0 1–0 1–0
Genk 1–1 0–2 3–3 1–0 1–2 1–3 1–0 1–2 3–1 0–0 3–1 2–1 5–2 0–1 2–3 2–0 2–1
Standard 2–0 3–1 0–0 5–1 2–1 3–1 2–1 2–0 1–0 0–0 4–1 4–1 3–1 2–1 1–0 3–0 2–2
Gent 2–3 5–0 1–1 2–1 0–0 2–1 1–1 2–0 2–0 1–1 3–2 1–0 1–1 2–3 4–2 2–4 4–1
Charleroi 0–2 3–1 2–1 1–2 1–1 0–0 1–1 3–1 1–3 1–1 1–3 1–0 2–3 1–1 1–0 1–0 1–0
Club Brugge 1–0 2–6 1–2 0–0 0–2 3–0 4–0 2–1 1–0 1–0 1–0 1–0 1–0 3–2 1–1 2–0 2–0
Germinal Beerschot 2–0 1–2 1–2 2–2 1–0 0–1 0–2 2–0 3–0 2–0 3–0 3–0 0–0 2–1 1–1 1–0 4–3
Westerlo 0–2 2–1 1–3 2–0 1–0 0–0 1–2 0–0 0–2 6–0 1–1 7–2 1–1 2–0 1–2 0–0 1–1
Mons 1–2 1–1 1–1 4–0 0–0 0–1 0–0 1–3 2–0 1–1 0–2 2–1 3–0 0–0 0–1 2–2 1–1
Mouscron 1–2 1–1 0–0 1–4 3–1 2–0 1–0 1–2 3–1 1–3 1–0 1–1 0–2 0–0 2–0 2–1 0–1
Roeselare 2–2 0–0 0–4 0–1 1–2 1–2 1–0 0–2 4–3 2–1 0–2 2–0 3–2 2–0 1–1 3–1 2–2
Cercle Brugge 0–0 5–1 0–0 4–1 3–1 1–2 1–1 1–0 0–0 3–0 0–0 0–0 2–0 5–1 3–2 3–0 2–0
Brussels 2–4 0–5 0–1 0–2 1–2 1–3 1–2 0–1 1–1 0–2 0–0 1–4 1–2 2–0 2–0 4–1 2–2
Zulte-Waregem 1–0 2–2 1–4 2–1 2–2 2–3 2–1 1–0 2–1 2–1 3–1 0–3 1–0 3–2 1–1 1–2 2–0
Sint-Truiden 4–3 1–2 0–0 2–1 1–3 1–1 0–3 0–2 1–1 0–2 0–1 0–0 1–1 2–1 1–1 1–2 0–1
Lokeren 0–0 1–1 0–0 1–1 1–0 0–1 0–0 1–1 1–2 0–0 3–0 1–1 0–1 0–0 2–1 1–0 3–1
Dender 2–2 2–0 0–0 0–3 2–4 1–0 1–2 2–0 0–3 0–3 2–1 2–4 1–1 2–1 1–0 0–1 0–3
Mechelen 0–1 2–2 0–1 1–0 1–0 1–1 1–2 1–0 2–0 2–2 4–3 0–4 4–0 2–1 2–3 1–1 2–2

Source: Jupiler League
1The home team is listed in the left-hand column.
Colours: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

Top goal scorers

As of May 6, 2008:

Player Team Goals
1  Joseph Akpala (NGA) Charleroi 16
=  Elyaniv Barda (ISR) Genk 16
=  Milan Jovanović (SRB) Standard Liège 16
=  Mbaye Leye (SEN) Zulte Waregem 16
=  Sanharib Malki (SYR) Germinal Beerschot 16
6  Dieumerci Mbokani (COD) Standard Liège 15
7  Mahamadou Dissa (MLI) Roeselare 14
8  Aloys Nong (CMR) YR KV Mechelen 13
9  Dominic Foley (IRL) Gent 11
=  Bryan Ruiz (CRI) Gent 11
=  François Sterchele (BEL) † Club Brugge 11
=  Bertin Tomou (CMR) Mouscron 11

† François Sterchele died on May 8, 2008 in a car crash and thus did not complete the full season [12].

References

  1. ^ "Valère Billen neemt ontslag als hoofdcoach STVV" (in dutch). demorgen.be. 2007-09-18. http://www.demorgen.be/dm/nl/985/Sport/article/detail/40138/2007/09/18/Val-re-Billen-neemt-ontslag-als-hoofdcoach-STVV.dhtml. 
  2. ^ "RSCA and Vercauteren end current contract". rsca.be. 2007-11-13. http://www.rsca.be/article.php?aid=19052. 
  3. ^ "Kreeg vuur bij Dender niet aangewakkerd" (in dutch). sporza.be. 2007-11-19. http://www.sporza.be/cm/sporza.be/voetbal/eersteklasse/Dender/1.208826. 
  4. ^ "Philippe Vande Walle stapt op bij Charleroi" (in dutch). knack.be. 2007-12-10. http://www.knack.be/nieuws/sport/philippe-vande-walle-stapt-op-bij-charleroi/site72-section7-article10467.html. 
  5. ^ "Dennis van Wijk nieuwe trainer Sint-Truiden" (in dutch). nusport.nl. 2007-12-10. http://www.nusport.nl/20071210/voetbal/3728. 
  6. ^ "Moeskroen ontslaat trainer Marc Brys" (in dutch). knack.be. 2007-12-17. http://www.knack.be/nieuws/sport/moeskroen-ontslaat-trainer-marc-brys-/site72-section7-article10676.html. 
  7. ^ "FC Brussels ontdoet zich van coach Cartier" (in dutch). voetbalzone.nl. 2007-12-17. http://www.voetbalzone.nl/doc.asp?uid=54338. 
  8. ^ "Enzo Scifo nieuwe trainer van Moeskroen" (in dutch). hln.be. 2007-12-27. http://www.hln.be/hln/nl/949/Belgisch-Voetbal/article/detail/116455/2007/12/27/Enzo-Scifo-nieuwe-trainer-van-Moeskroen.dhtml. 
  9. ^ "Bergen ontslaat José Riga nu toch" (in dutch). belgiumsoccer.be. 2008-01-28. http://www.belgiumsoccer.be/nieuws/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=6391&Itemid=225. 
  10. ^ "Albert Cartier nieuwe coach Bergen" (in dutch). hln.be. 2008-01-28. http://www.hln.be/hln/nl/949/Belgisch-Voetbal/article/detail/150464/2008/01/28/Albert-Cartier-nieuwe-coach-Bergen.dhtml. 
  11. ^ "Cercle laat Intertoto-ticket aan G.Beerschot" (in dutch). sporza.be. 2008-05-13. http://www.sporza.be/cm/sporza.be/voetbal/eersteklasse/Cercle_Brugge/080513_Cercle_geen_Intertoto. 
  12. ^ "François Sterchele (26) killed in car accident". deredactie.be. 2008-05-08. http://www.deredactie.be/cm/de.redactie.english/sports/080508_Sterchele. 

See also

2011–12 teams
Competition
Seasons
1895–96 · 1896–97 · 1897–98 · 1898–99 · 1899–1900 · 1900–01 · 1901–02 · 1902–03 · 1903–04 · 1904–05 · 1905–06 · 1906–07 · 1907–08 · 1908–09 · 1909–10 · 1910–11 · 1911–12 · 1912–13 · 1913–14 · 1914–19 · 1919–20 · 1920–21 · 1921–22 · 1922–23 · 1923–24 · 1924–25 · 1925–26 · 1926–27 · 1927–28 · 1928–29 · 1929–30 · 1930–31 · 1931–32 · 1932–33 · 1933–34 · 1934–35 · 1935–36 · 1936–37 · 1937–38 · 1938–39 · 1939–41 · 1941–42 · 1942–43 · 1943–44 · 1944–45 · 1945–46 · 1946–47 · 1947–48 · 1948–49 · 1949–50 · 1950–51 · 1951–52 · 1952–53 · 1953–54 · 1954–55 · 1955–56 · 1956–57 · 1957–58 · 1958–59 · 1959–60 · 1960–61 · 1961–62 · 1962–63 · 1963–64 · 1964–65 · 1965–66 · 1966–67 · 1967–68 · 1968–69 · 1969–70 · 1970–71 · 1971–72 · 1972–73 · 1973–74 · 1974–75 · 1975–76 · 1976–77 · 1977–78 · 1978–79 · 1979–80 · 1980–81 · 1981–82 · 1982–83 · 1983–84 · 1984–85 · 1985–86 · 1986–87 · 1987–88 · 1988–89 · 1989–90 · 1990–91 · 1991–92 · 1992–93 · 1993–94 · 1994–95 · 1995–96 · 1996–97 · 1997–98 · 1998–99 · 1999–2000 · 2000–01 · 2001–02 · 2002–03 · 2003–04 · 2004–05 · 2005–06 · 2006–07 · 2007–08 · 2008–09 · 2009–10 · 2010–11 · 2011–12
National teams
Belgium · Youth (U-21 · U-19 · U-17) · Women
League system
Domestic cups
Awards
List of clubs · List of venues · Referees
2007–08 in European football (UEFA)
Domestic leagues
Albania · Andorra · Armenia '07 '08 · Austria · Azerbaijan · Belarus '07 '08 · Belgium · Bosnia and Herzegovina · Bulgaria · Croatia · Cyprus · Czech Republic · Denmark · England · Estonia '07 '08 · Faroe Islands '07 '08 · Finland '07 '08 · France · Georgia · Germany · Greece · Hungary · Iceland '07 '08 · Israel · Italy · Kazakhstan '07 '08 · Latvia '07 '08 · Lithuania '07 '08 · Luxembourg · Macedonia · Malta · Moldova · Montenegro · Netherlands · Northern Ireland · Norway '07 '08 · Poland · Portugal · Republic of Ireland '07 '08 · Romania · Russia '07 '08 · San Marino · Scotland · Serbia · Slovakia · Slovenia · Spain · Sweden '07 '08 · Switzerland · Turkey · Ukraine · Wales
Domestic cups
Albania · Andorra · Armenia · Austria · Azerbaijan · Belarus · Belgium · Bosnia and Herzegovina · Bulgaria · Croatia · Cyprus · Czech Republic · Denmark · England · Estonia · Faroe Islands '07 '08 · Finland '07 '08 · France · Georgia · Germany · Greece · Hungary · Iceland '07 '08 · Israel · Italy · Kazakhstan '07 '08 · Latvia '07 '08 · Liechtenstein · Lithuania · Luxembourg · Rep. of Macedonia · Malta · Moldova · Montenegro · Netherlands · Northern Ireland · Norway '07 '08 · Poland · Portugal · Republic of Ireland '07 '08 · Romania · Russia · San Marino · Scotland · Serbia · Slovakia · Slovenia · Spain · Sweden '07 '08 · Switzerland · Turkey · Ukraine · Wales
League cups
England · Finland '07 '08 · France · Germany · Hungary · Iceland '07 '08 · Israel · Northern Ireland · Portugal · Republic of Ireland '07 '08 · Scotland · Wales
UEFA competitions