Three possible destinations for the PL helicopter, as in 2023

The play-offs are in their fourteenth and – perhaps – final edition (see Footnews: https://tinyurl.com/mrywmmam).

But this is only the second time that three teams are still dreaming of the title before the final day, without being discouraged by the media who have already decreed that Bruges can no longer miss out on the big prize.

They prefer to remember the Pro League helicopter which was about to land on the Marien lawn a year ago, before diverting to Genk to present the trophy to local Racing, to finally offer it to Antwerp captain Toby Alderweireld, author of the most devastating – and above all the most important – strike of the season, in the 90th + 4.

Proof that anything is really possible, including seeing the trophy change owners three times in added time.

Three duels, two of which the Rouche people have not forgotten

Suspense was also guaranteed until the last day on three other occasions, but with only two candidates.

This was indeed the case in 2011, when Standard, sixth in the classic phase 16 points (71-56) behind Anderlecht, finally fell within half a point of Genk, where they conceded the equalizer in the 78th minute. , after losing their best player, Mehdi Carcela, seriously injured, at the half-hour mark.

The attacker, Chris Mavinga, gets away with a yellow card.

No one among the Rouche people has forgotten him.

Suspense also, but in Anderlecht, in 2013, where Zulte Waregem opened the way to the title, but for only two minutes, by activating the scorer by Jens Naessens in the 58th.

But Lucas Biglia luckily equalized with a free kick via the leg of Mbaye Leye, in the 61st.

2014, the year of the “watch affair!”

A year later to win their 33rd title, the third in a row with three different coaches, Ariël Jacobs, John Van den Brom and Besnik Hasi, the Mauves only need one point, but beat Peter Maes’ Sporting Lokeren 3 -1, after being held to a draw, 1-1, until the 61st minute.

Standard (1-0 against Genk) finished two points but with three wins in hand, and could therefore only be champion if Anderlecht lost.

Cruel for the Rouches who finished first in the regular season with 10 points more (67-57) than their great rival from Brussels.

The watch affair revealed by the former president of Standard Roland Duchâtelet has since discredited this 2014 edition of the play-offs.

At least in the eyes of those who believe this story which was nevertheless the subject of an investigative program entitled “Le Milieu de Terrain”, on RTBF.

But Duchâtelet, who had taken legal action, withdrew his complaint two years later.