Team: Jean Minne

James Philpot Andy Dunn Dex Bernardo

Daniel Donner Hodgy Tarik SiM'hammed Antti Maltsin

Luka Novak

Paul Somers Nils McGrath

Subs: Martijn Ebregt Fred Bon, Dani Mineo Kris Mercelis Martino Costa

Last weekend, I witnessed two extremely different games of football – one involving RBBFC and one with PSG. On the surface, to compare two teams competing in ABSSA and the Champions League may be preposterous. However, this is exactly what I was doing whilst in the stands watching PSG vs Bordeaux on Sunday. It is apparent to all in the ground that there are several players, who are paid millions of Euros each year, who simply turn up and expect to win a match based on ability and talent. Brad Stevens (famous Boston Celtics Head Coach) once said "You have to earn your right to win the game with effort and togetherness.”

This is where we bring in the gladiators of RBBFC – who play for the love of the sport, the club, their teammates and of course to ‘Take Pleasure’. This is why we play for the best amateur club in Belgium!

Ahead of the match, we were reminded of the wonderful and inspiring match report by a certain wordsmith, James Philpot as Jean gave us each a piece of paper with one of the motivational paragraphs. This is a unique technique, reminiscent of the time Phil Brown kept his Hull City players on the pitch at half-time and berated them in front of a stunned Etihad Stadium.

After a disappointing draw last week against LTC, RBBFC did not win the championship - yet knew that a point against Tourinnois would mean that they would win their ninth championship. That being said, the game did not start entirely the way the league leaders would have hoped, with a sense of nervousness and panic running through the away side’s players - leading to regular loss of possession and balls being kicked out of play. Consequently, this led to the home side taking the lead after a dominating header from a Tourinnois corner flying into the back of Jean’s net.

‘Make no mistake, the beast is sleeping, not dead’.

With a disappointing start to the crucial match, the league leaders needed to respond to immediately as this match (and the league title) could quickly slip out of their hands. After a spell of dominance for 10-15 minutes, the away side were awarded a set piece, which was cleared by the defence. The ball landed straight to James Philpot’s feet, where he played a delightful, long, looping ball over the defence. With the ball in high in the air, Somers gracefully controlled the ball and placed it past the onrushing goalkeeper to draw the game level. 1-1 and another ‘tap-in’ for Somers.

RBBFC continued to dominate the remainder of the half and were awarded a rare free kick, just in the opposition half. ‘Super’ Luka stepped up for the kick and absolutely riffling the ball into the top corner, leaving the goalkeeper hopeless and putting RBBFC 2-1 up going into half-time. We have all been assured that this attempt was a shot and not a cross – I will leave it up to the spectators to decide this.

The second half followed a similar pattern of RBBFC enjoying good spells of possession and not really allow the home side a way into the game. Within the second half, Dani, Fred, Kris and Martijn were brought on to add some extra muscle, grit and steel to the match. The impact of ‘Missile’ was evident for all to see with the Italian Stallion scoring two goals after lovely moves. The first goal was an absolute treat, with Luka, Somers and Antti linking up delightfully on the left-hand side and Antti crossing the ball into the box to the unmarked Missile to make it 3-1. Finally, the last goal of the game occurred when Somers held off 6 defenders before whipping in another cross to a once again unmarked Missile who finished the scoring to make it 4-1. Each player who put on the white shirt was exceptional today and have been this season.

‘We are the Champions!’

A well-deserved win and another league championship in the bag. This is a team that is full of courageous, exceptional and incredible people who are a joy to play and spend time with. The wild celebrations after the game were extremely enjoyable, with Missile living up to his name on many occasions.

‘Bask in his glory’

In life, we are quick to always look forward and move onto the next goal – which will be ‘La Decima’ next season. That being said, this Saturday is an opportunity for all members of RBBFC to reminisce on the spectacular season the first team have had and congratulate each player, supporter and coach that have played a huge part in achieving this title win. It will sure be a day full of cheering on all RBBFC’s teams, drinking a few 'cervezas', topped off with a delightful team night out. Which brings me back to the PSG and RBBFC comparison, Michael Jordan once said ‘Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence wins Championships’.

RBBFC are champions: Again, Then, Now, Forever.

MoM & reporter: Paul Somers