The Cup final opposed SK Beveren to Club Brugge KV, or FC Brugge. Technically, the second best Belgian clubs after Anderlecht and Standard – Beveren having its strongest period, although not exactly great, and FC Brugge a little bit shaky and not as great as they were in the second half of the 1970s. Still, they had presumed advantage – before the game. During the final Beveren was much more effective and won 3-1.
Losers. Third row from left: Birger Jensen, Walter Ceulemans, Luc Vanwalleghem, Jacky Debougnoux, Guy Dardenne, Daniel De Cubber , Philippe Vande Walle.
Middle row: Raymond Mertens (assistant-coach), Chris Verhulst, Tjapko Teuben, Peter Leysen, Bart Maes, Luc Hinderyckx, Koen Sanders, Johan Renier, Eddy Warrinnier (physio).
Siting: Willy Wellens, Antoni Szymanowski, Jan Ceulemans, Peter Nilsson, Georg Kessler (coach), Alex Querter, Jan Sörensen, Gilbert Van Binst, Ronald Spelbos.
What was wrong with FC Brugge? Nothing much – they simply lost their edge, trying to keep consistently competitive squad. There were still quite a few players of the great seasons in the 70s – older and some never outstanding to begin with. Unfortunately, some of newer recruits were also old and beyond their prime – Antoni Szymanowski, Gilbert van Binst. It was only temporary shakiness, but the team was unable to win.
As for modest SK Beveren, they were still big surprise. When they won the championship only few years earlier, it was wonderful victory of the underdog, but nobody expected them to stay strong. Beveren was typical one-time wonder: they had part-timers, some very old guys, and hardly any even remotely famous player. Jean-Marie Pfaff eventually emerged as world-class goalkeeper, but his fame was more related to his play for the national team. And after he moved to Bayern (Munich), it was clear and typical case of one-time wonders: if they had occasional star, he was the first to go to better club after the successful year. Both club and player were eager to accept offers, for good money came only at such rare moments. Beveren, like all one-time wonders in the world, had no means to improve the team, so they were expected to drop out of sight just as soon as they came into focus. But, curiously, Beveren stayed strong in the next years – and now they won their 2nd Cup. Instead of cherishing sole trophy forever, they tripled it so far – 1 title and 2 Cups. All done with modest, insignificant squad… which remained similarly insignificant after winning this final too. Beautiful unlikely winners – even their sponsors were unlikely: a dairy firm. ‘Drink milk’. A joke… but winners!