Sammy Claes lacked enthusiasm in the cup final at Mechelen: “Antwerp deserved the cup more than we did” (Mechelen)
During the year that the club celebrates its centenary, Mechelen failed to win the Belgian Cup in addition to the title. The Mechelen lost the final against Antwerp 10-9. Captain and figurehead Sammy Claes scored four of the nine goals in Mechelen, but that was not enough to give his club the double.
Mechelen quickly faced a 3-0 deficit. “It was already clear even then that the drive at Antwerp was much greater than at our place,” says Sammy Claes. “After our national title, the fire was extinguished a bit. Of course we wanted to win that cup, but at the beginning of the game we were clearly still asleep.”
Claes recorded the Antwerp victory as well deserved. “They were better in this match. We never came into our game and it was only with individual actions. All right, we will grant Antwerp this prize.”
At Mechelen, we now have to wait and see which ambitions will be expressed for next season. “With our national title we can take part, but if we do that, it must be done with the necessary European quality. We’ll see who stays and who drops out. It is quite possible that we will continue with roughly the same core, working with one or two new players. I would like to add another year.”
De Mechelaar also takes into account that a new team will be built next season. “That in itself is not a bad thing, of course. It is true that there is a gap with our young people. We have some good -17-year-olds who already train with us, but you can’t expect those guys to suddenly stand there. Things will become very clear in the coming weeks.” In addition to Sammy Claes’ four goals, Nikola Pavlicevic also scored twice. Sven Publie, Junior Verschuren and Arne Mannaerts each found their way to the Antwerp nets once. (jbr)