BELGIUM

A long weekend in Bruges and Brussels was one of the more action-packed football trips we’ve had, with three games on the agenda: a top-flight match in the Jupiler Pro League, a lower-league promotion party and the Croky Cup final at Stade Roi Baudouin.

The first stop on Thursday 1 May was the league match between Club Brugge and Gent at Jan Breydel Stadion, which the home team share with their city rivals Cercle Brugge and which - in our humble opinion - looks to be in need of renovation. The Blue & Blacks ran out comfortable 4-1 winners, although it was their visitors who took the lead.

Next up was a double matchday on Sunday 4 May, starting with a promotion party for fourth-tier Crossing Schaerbeek, who decided to bring out their trophy on the back of a donkey at full-time. Sadly, by that point, Lee was already whizzing across town to get to the Croky Cup final.

The showpiece event at Stade Roi Baudouin was between two of Belgium’s biggest clubs: Club Brugge and Anderlecht. After a quick mascot photo, it was straight up to the media stand to take in the tifos and watch the game. Club Brugge ultimately won 2-1 and took home the trophy.