December 2, 2023 was not a Saturday like any other. It was that evening that Lucia Seresova learned that her country of birth, Slovakia, would cross swords with her adopted country: Belgium. And because chance works, it turns out that his companion is none other than Romain Cerfontaine, the Hombourg coach who will coach Aubel next season. A real football fanatic, needless to say.
”We looked at the draw of Euro 2024 together” Lucia remembers with a broad smile. “Even though I tend to support the Red Devils, I still have Slovak nationality. This match will be special.” So special that the couple wanted to mark the occasion. “Since the draw, Lucia was only waiting for one thing, for the match to be played” starts Romain Cerfontaine. “So we wanted to attend.” After obtaining the precious tickets via UEFA’s hazardous sales procedures, the couple ticked the date of June 17, 2024 on the calendar.
“To be frank, this is the first match with such high stakes that I will have the opportunity to see from the stadium” indicates the 33-year-old coach. “I saw Belgium against Russia in qualifying, but it wasn’t the same. Between work, football and different hobbies, it never really happened. And there, we have this Euro near us, a great opportunity to see Kevin De Bruyne at work while knowing that he will no longer compete in many competitions of this type. And against Slovakia: it will be great to experience this special atmosphere of a first match with so much at stake. Belgium is the only team which I really support. I don’t really have a favorite club, I’m more of a fan of beautiful football in general.”
”Until I was 21 in Slovakia”
Precisely, the match between Belgians and Slovaks promises to be rather open.but I don’t think Slovakia can sign an achievement” resumes Lucia, 31 spring. “Belgium is favorite. Football is very popular here, but perhaps not as popular as ice hockey.” However, several football stars have managed to raise the Slovak colors to the top of world football. “I especially know the older players, like Robert Vittek, Martin Skrtel and obviously Marek Hamsik who I actually met during my adolescence. I worked in a restaurant, in the village where I grew up, and he came to eat with his family. He knew the owner” relates the one who was born in Bratislava, but who mainly lived 150 kilometers east of the capital, in the village of Hodrusa-Hamre. This was before packing his bags to study in Belgium, in Liège, in foreign trade and then in sustainable development. “I lived until I was 21 in Slovakia” she explains, a touch of nostalgia in her voice. “Attending the match also means hearing Slovak spoken. And it’s going to be funny to me: I don’t know any other Slovaks in the region (laughs). The more I think about it, the more I tell myself that whatever the result, I will be happy.”
“It is important that the Devils get their tournament off to a good start”
Happy parents of little Lia for 6 months, Lucia and Romain hope to make the most of their first match of this kind as a couple. “It will be cool. I am sure. I got into the habit of following Romain to Hombourg and I will also follow him to Aubel. I’m interested in what he does, transfers, etc. But here, it’s something completely different.” The future Aubelois mentor makes no secret of the fact that his sweetheart’s sudden interest in football quickly hit the mark. “Before meeting me, she wasn’t really interested in football. And yet, on the 3rd meeting, Lucia came to see me at the side of the field. I coached young people at AS Eupen. That day I knew that…” he smiles before playing the little game of predictions. “Here, no betting on the match: I don’t want to spoil the pleasure of the match. But if someone asks me the question: I see Belgium winning 3-0. It’s important to get the tournament off to a good startespecially after the big disappointment of the last World Cup!” Lia’s mother would like to see the homeland of her ancestors save honor. “Let’s say 3-1 for Belgium instead.”
