
Union Saint-Gilloise wins Belgian first division after 90 years
Promise David scored twice and Franjo Ivanovic added another to help the small Brussels club secure its first league title since 1935.
Union entered the final round of the championship play-offs with a one-point lead and after near misses in the past three seasons.
In 2022 and in 2024, Union led the regular season standings but then faded in the play-offs to let Club Brugge take the title. The 2023 title race had a dramatic ending when a helicopter carrying league officials and the trophy had to turn away from Union's tiny Joseph Marien Stadium.
Only Union and Brugge were in title contention on Sunday. Brugge drew 1-1 with Antwerp to finish in second place, three points behind.
Union had a slow start to the season under new coach Sébastien Pocognoli, after more sales of star players for eight-figure fees. Led by goals from David, Union moved up to third in the regular season standings.
Union surged with a run of five shutouts, including a 1-0 win at Brugge on April 24, to go to the top of the standings for the first time.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


News18
7 hours ago
- News18
'There's A Chance I Won't Drive At All...': Max Verstappen Addresses Horner's Exit, Mercedes Rumours
Max Verstappen said Christian Horner's departure won't affect his future with Red Bull. He remains committed through 2028 and is excited about Laurent Mekies' leadership. Max Verstappen has made it clear that Christian Horner's sudden departure as Red Bull team principal will not influence his own future with the team. The four-time world champion, who has been the subject of transfer speculation linking him to Mercedes for the 2026 season, indicated on Thursday that he remains committed to seeing out his current contract with Red Bull, which runs through 2028. Speaking to reporters ahead of this weekend's Belgian Grand Prix—a circuit close to his heart due to his Belgian birthplace and maternal roots—the 27-year-old Dutchman emphasized that his focus remains solely on car performance, not management changes. Horner's Departure Has 'No Impact" When asked if Horner's exit after two decades at the helm made it more likely that he would stay with Red Bull, Verstappen gave a firm and simple response: 'No, it doesn't. Not really." He also downplayed the reported tensions between his father, Jos Verstappen, and Horner, saying personal disputes had no role in shaping his professional decisions. 'People can have a difference of opinion, and I expect that to happen. If everyone agrees, there is a problem. 'You need to have differences in opinion. Now, we will work in a different direction, and I am excited about it. I don't think it will matter at all for the decision over my future." Backing Mekies for New Chapter Verstappen expressed enthusiasm for the team's new leadership under Laurent Mekies, who has been promoted from Red Bull's sister team, Racing Bulls, to replace Horner. 'I had already had quite a few meetings with Laurent as well, you know. The last two weeks have been quite intense. 'I'm equally excited for the team now moving forward because that's what we have to do." Mekies' technical background is expected to sharpen Red Bull's engineering direction as they look to reclaim dominance in a fiercely competitive field. On His Future: 'Life Is Unpredictable" When asked whether he had a decision to make regarding his future, Verstappen responded with philosophical ambiguity. 'There is also the possibility of not waking up tomorrow, and so there is no driving. 'Life is unpredictable and, in general, I am happy with where I am at… 'The target was that when I signed my deal, I would drive here until the end of my career." Despite the swirling rumors and shifting leadership, Verstappen appeared calm and focused, preferring to channel his energy into performance on the track. (with agency inputs) view comments First Published: July 24, 2025, 23:32 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.


NDTV
7 hours ago
- NDTV
Christian Horner's Exit Has No Impact On My Future Plans: Max Verstappen
Max Verstappen insisted on Thursday that Christian Horner's shock departure as team boss of Red Bull will have no impact on his future plans. The four-time world champion, who has been linked with a move to Mercedes next year, suggested that he expects to stay with Red Bull until the conclusion of his current contract in 2028. Speaking to reporters in the paddock ahead of this weekend's Belgian Grand Prix, one of his 'home' races as he was born in Belgium and his mother is Belgian, the 27-year-old Dutchman said he was concerned only with improving the speed and performance of his car. The rest, he said, was not of great interest to him, adding that past tensions between Horner and his father Jos Verstappen had no bearing on decisions about his future. Asked if Horner's exit after 20 years as team boss made it more probable that he would stay at Red Bull next year, Verstappen said: "No, it doesn't. Not really." He said the well-publicised discord between his father and Horner was never a problem. "People can have a difference of opinion and I expect that to happen because if everyone agrees, there is a problem. "You need to have differences in opinion. Now, we will work in a different direction and I am excited about it and I don't think it will matter at all for the decision over my future. "The only thing that matters is that we work on the car and make it as fast as we can and try and be more competitive this year, a little bit, but for sure with the new regulations next year." Verstappen had earlier welcomed the appointment of Frenchman Laurent Mekies, promoted from junior team Racing Bulls, as Horner's successor and clearly sensed that it could usher in a stronger technical and engineering focus at the team. He gave an oblique response when asked if he had a decision to make about his future. "There is also the possibility of not waking up tomorrow and so there is no driving. "Life is unpredictable and, in general, I am happy with where I am at… "The target was that when I signed my deal, I would drive here until the end of my career." Verstappen will be hoping to end the speculation and give both the team and new boss Mekies a boost with a convincing performance this weekend on his favourite circuit. The Dutchman finds himself in the unaccustomed position of third in the drivers' standings, behind leader Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, both of McLaren.


NDTV
19 hours ago
- NDTV
Max Verstappen And Red Bull Embark On New Era
Max Verstappen and Red Bull seek a successful re-set of their season as they launch a new era at this weekend's Belgian Grand Prix, their first without Christian Horner in charge. As Formula One resumes after a mini-break McLaren duo Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris intensify their duel to succeed the Dutchman as world champion. While Norris seeks his third consecutive win in a bid to reduce team-mate Piastri's eight-point lead it will be Red Bull under the greatest scrutiny as they embark on a new adventure under Frenchman Laurent Mekies. Never before has a Red Bull team raced without the 51-year-old Briton Horner, who was dismissed unexpectedly two weeks ago following 20 years of success, including guiding Verstappen to four consecutive world titles from 2021-2024. His successor Mekies, promoted from junior team Racing Bulls, faces a daunting challenge - not only in keeping the team's focus and performance at the majestic high-speed circuit in the Ardennes, but in bringing stability to Red Bull after a stormy period. Verstappen, born in Belgium, has been linked with a move to Mercedes for 2026 and, while Horner has remained silent since his bombshell exit, the champion has welcomed the arrival of Mekies, who has an engineering background and avoids confrontation and discord. His appointment brings an end to 18 months of rumour and intrigue during which Horner was investigated for alleged inappropriate conduct, the team lost the constructors' title to McLaren and saw key staff members leave. "I was back at the factory last week to spend some time in the sim with the team," said Verstappen in a team release that made no mention of Horner's departure. "I'm looking forward to working closely with Laurent. "Spa is a classic and always my favourite track on the calendar – a very old school circuit where you have to do everything right to get a good lap. "I enjoy the high-speed corners such as Eau Rouge, the layout which is different to other circuits, and elevation changes that make the track more of a challenge to drive." After a desultory outing at Silverstone, where he finished fifth after starting from pole position, Verstappen will enjoy returning to one of his 'home' events, hoping Mekies can rekindle the team's spark to bring him a fourth career win at Spa. Feisty mood Mekies said he would spend his first weeks in the job "meeting the guys and girls who do the magic behind the try to understand this beautiful magic machine". His first test will be a Saturday morning sprint race. A win for Verstappen would not be a huge surprise as the characteristics of the Ardennes track favour his car, but he remains a distant third in a title race led by the McLaren men whose intra-team scrap may be their undoing. After his outburst at receiving a 10-second penalty at Silverstone, Piastri is expected to be in feisty mood going into the Belgian and Hungarian double-header that precedes the August 'summer holiday' and another close contest is in prospect. Like Piastri, Mercedes' George Russell will revel in a chance to show his speed in the often changeable conditions, having been stripped of victory last year because his car was underweight. That handed seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton his 105th and last triumph – and he remains in search of his first podium with Ferrari who arrive in Belgium with intent and a major upgrade package. Hamilton was fourth in his home British race where Nico Hulkenberg claimed his first career podium at the 239th attempt to endorse Sauber's momentum this year before becoming the Audi works team next season.