Antwerp promoted to Division A, while Westerlo relegated

Three years after winning promotion to Belgian football’s top division, Westerlo have been relegated after a 0-4 home defeat to Genk on the final day of the regular season. Tiny Westerlo were always going to struggle at the highest level: Their sole major honour is a Belgian Cup, only one of their players has ever played for the national team (Toni Brogno, who won seven caps), and their home ground, Het Kuipje, is the second smallest top-flight stadium, with an 8,035 capacity.

Yesterday’s fixtures saw Anderlecht top the table with 61 points, followed by Club Brugge on 59 and Zulte Waregem on 54. There was a five-way scramble for the next three places, eventually claimed by Gent, Oostende and Charleroi, with Mechelen and Genk just missing out.

The top six now face a 10-game Championship play-off league, while the next nine fight it out in a separate play-off for a place in the Europa League.

Antwerp fans, meanwhile, had cause to celebrate at the weekend as the club were promoted to Division A for the first time in more than 10 years, after beating Roeselare in the runners-up play-off. And Genk are almost certain to reach the Europa League semi-finals on Thursday, when they host Gent: After a 5-2 win in the away leg last week, they are the heavy favourites.

Anderlecht are also looking strong after their 1-0 away win at Apoel Nicosia in Cyprus.

Photo: Vincent Van Doornick/Isosport/Belga