Our season in Europe

It wasn't to be. Blauw-Zwart's European fairy tale ended Wednesday night in the Conference League semifinals after a 1-1 draw, which was not enough to make up for the 3-2 defeat from the outward game. Still, we can look back with pride on a memorable season in Europe. We look back again.

No underestimation in the preliminary rounds

Our first participation in the UEFA Europa Conference League started early. On July 27, Denmark's Aarhus was our guest at Jan Breydel for the second preliminary round. Not an easy first hurdle, but at home Blauw-Zwart took a fairly easy distance from the Danes: 3-0 after goals by Vetlesen, Buchanan and Rits.

A week later, the return in Denmark was scheduled. Aarhus won 1-0 against Club, but qualification for the third preliminary round was a fact. In it, Icelandic Akureyri was the opponent, who were in Europe for the first time in twenty years. Over two games, however, Club quickly dealt with the Icelanders, becoming 5-1 and 1-5.

But then the toughest challenge to advance to the group stage was yet to come: CA Osasuna, the losing finalist of the Copa Del Rey last season. Beforehand, the game was even tipped as one that might as well be the semifinals of the Conference League.

The outing took place at the Estadio El Sadar in Pamplona. CA Osasuna's home ground was completely sold out for the duel with FCB and temperatures were running up to over 30 degrees. A hot stand, but Club would eventually capture an excellent starting position by winning 1-2.

Relive once again the important win in Spain:

Then again, a week later, a packed Jan Breydel was the setting for a true thriller. The Spaniards put everything on the attack and even led 0-2, but in the closing quarter, Thiago and Skov Olsen put things right in three minutes time. Blood, sweat and tears, but Club could look forward to their first participation in the group stage of the Conference League.

^2nd preliminary round UEFA Conference League

• 27/07/2023: Club 3 - 0 Aarhus
• 3/08/2023: Aarhus 1 - 0 Club

^3rd preliminary round UEFA Conference League

• 10/08/2023: Club 5 - 1 Akureyri
• 17/08/2023: Akureyri 1 - 5 Club

Qualifying round group stage UEFA Conference League

• 24/08/2023: Osasuna 1 - 2 Club
• 31/08/2023: Club 2 - 2 Osasuna

Excellent group stage

After a long road in the preliminary rounds, it was finally time for the long-awaited group stage at the end of September. In the third edition of this Conference League, Club faced its first ever participation in the group stage of the UECL. Beşiktaş (TUR), Bodø/Glimt (NOR) and Lugano (SUI) were the opponents. All difficult opponents, but Blauw-Zwart dreamed of getting far in Europe.

Mission 1 was a home game against Beşiktaş. Immediately an important match, because on paper the Turkish top club was the strongest opponent in the group. Club dominated the match, but it was only fifteen minutes before time that Hans Vanaken brought redemption with a fine volley. Were it not for Cenk Tosun flattering his team to equalize deep in the slot. 1-1 and FCB started the group stage with a double feeling.

In the subsequent matches, however, Club bounced back. In the away matches against Bodø/Glimt and FC Lugano we won twice. Halfway through the group stage, we were on top of Group D. On matchday four, Blauw-Zwart could qualify for the next round. And it would happen. As often this season, Igor Thiago and Hans Vanaken took their team by the hand, their goals were enough for the 2-0 victory and additional qualification. In the last two games, Club battled for the lead.

On matchday five, FCB took a giant step towards winning the group at Beşiktaş. The Turks were no match for Club and got a 0-5 thrashing. Because of the big win in Istanbul, a draw at home against number two Bodø/Glimt was enough to win the group. But Club wanted to finish the group stage well and was keen on a win.

Through Nusa, Thiago and Mechele, Club smoothly passed the Norwegian opponent 3-1. An excellent group stage was thus concluded with 16/18, only three goals against and no fewer than 15 goals scored. On top of that, as group winner Club avoided the first knockout round after New Year.

Group stage UEFA Conference League

• 21/09/2023: Club 1 - 1 Besiktas
• 5/10/2023: Bodø/Glimt 0 - 1 Club
• 26/10/2023: Lugano 1 - 3 Club
• 9/11/2023: Club 2 - 0 Lugano
• 30/11/2023: Besiktas 0 - 5 Club
• 14/12/2023: Club 3 - 1 Bodø/Glimt

Proud of our colors

In the eighth finals, we faced Norway's Molde FK. After an unbeaten run in the group stage, we went down on the Norwegian artificial turf, so we had to win the return match at Jan Breydel. An unleashed Skov Olsen provided Blauw-Zwart with two goals to qualify for the quarterfinals. A historic semifinal already lurked around the corner.

But first they had to get past PAOK, at that time leader in the Greek league. With the quarterfinals, the Greeks equaled their best European performance ever, for Club a quarterfinal was nine years ago, then against Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk.

The outward game was played at Jan Breydel and Blauw-Zwart wanted to travel to Greece with a good starting position at all costs. The eventual 1-0 victory was a small bonus, but in Thessaloniki things would be tough.

A week later, in a packed Toumba stadium, Club battled for its first European semifinal since 1978, under the legendary Ernst Happel.

From minute one, Club showed enough quality to get out from under the pressure of PAOK FC. An industrious Skóraś and Jutglà immediately created danger, and on the half-hour the latter would also sign for the opening goal after a clever assist from Sabbe. Just before halftime, the Catalan doubled the score with his second of the evening. His two goals were enough for the historic qualification.

Dive behind the scenes with us again after the win in Greece:

In the last four in a European tournament, so that was more than thirty years ago. In the semifinals, Fiorentina was the last hurdle towards the final in Athens. An excellent team that had already reached the final last year, but then lost in extremis to West Ham. The Italians were resigned to revenge.

And in Florence it immediately became clear that reaching the final is no easy task. A savvy Fiorentina quickly took the lead. It was again Vanaken who gave the Bruges players courage by kicking in the equalizer from the spot. And when Fiorentina took another lead, there was the inevitable Igor Thiago who banged in the 2-2 single-handed. However, a late goal by the Italians ensured that Fiorentina went down to Jan Breydel with a small advantage.

"Of course we are disappointed, but we are also proud," he said.
- Nicky Hayen

In a swirling Olympia, which set the tone with a handsome tifo, Club quickly went in search of the lead. Through Vanaken, that lead came fairly quickly, too. Jan Breydel was bursting at the seams. 'Peasants, peasants, peasants, ...!'

However, the visitors recovered quickly and certainly in the second half they had enough chances to score. The sour equalizer finally came in the end, from the spot. Players and fans gave everything, but to no avail. Fiorentina advanced to the finals. Coach Nicky Hayen saw many disappointed faces after the whistle: "Of course we are disappointed, but we are also proud. Everyone gave everything and we can't blame anyone," and the season is not over yet: "If you see the way the supporters support us after the whistle, that will only give the players motivation for the competition."

Amid loud chants and a standing ovation, Blauw-Zwart said goodbye to the European stage. Proud of the course covered, proud of our colors.

Achtste finale UEFA Conference League

• 7/03/2024: Molde 2 – 1 Club
• 14/03/2024: Club 3 – 0 Molde

Kwartfinale UEFA Conference League

• 11/04/2024: Club 1 – 0 PAOK
• 18/04/2024: PAOK 0 – 2 Club

Halve finale UEFA Conference League

• 2/05/2024: Fiorentina 3 - 2 Club 
• 8/05/2024: Club 1 - 1 Fiorentina 
  

Nog enkele stats

• 18 wedstrijden: 12 zeges, 3 draws, 3 nederlagen
• 42 gescoorde doelpunten 
• In elke wedstrijd sinds de groepsfase gescoord 
• Coëfficiëntenrecord: 21.000 punten
• Hoogste positie ooit op UEFA-ranking: 25 
• Topschutters: Igor Thiago en Andreas Skov Olsen (7 doelpunten)