After a decade without lifting the trophy, can Club Brugge finally get over the hump in the Belgian Cup final? | OneFootball

Last night Club Brugge overcame Belgian Pro League leaders Genk in the Belgian Cup semi-final. After a 2-1 win in the first leg, the side drew 1-1 away from home to secure a place in the final in early May. Remarkably, despite their dominance over the last few seasons, it has been the domestic cup that has alluded the side. Club have not lifted the trophy since beating Anderlecht in the 2015 final. This was their 11th cup win, but number 12 has so far eluded them for almost a decade.

Club made the final the following season after winning number 11, but were beaten 2-1 by Standard Liege. The closest that the side have got to winning number 12 since was in 2020 when they lost the Covid impacted final to Antwerp. Despite this barren run in the cup, the side remain the most successful cup team in Belgium. Ironically, the upcoming final which feature one of the two teams that Club have faced in past finals. Antwerp have been a strong cup side in recent years, but they will have to overcome Anderlecht. The Mauves themselves have not won the trophy since the 2008 final, having lost the 2022 final to Gent on penalties. Antwerp have made back to back finals, winning in 2023 and losing to Union St Gilloise in 2023.

Club should fancy their chances of lifting the trophy against either of these sides. On paper, they are the stronger side. However, cup finals are not played on paper. Club have a chance of winning a domestic double, which would mean title number 20 and cup number 12. That would be some season for head coach Nicky Hayen.

GBeNeFN | Ben Jackson