Sport

Westerlo relegated, AA Gent and Charleroi to play in Play-off I

It was crunch time on Sunday afternoon as all 8 matches in the final day of play in the normal First Division calendar were played. There was a lot a stake with four teams still in with a chance of a place of a Play-off I spot and two teams trying to avoid relegation.

The Belgian First Division season is made up of two phases. 16 teams play each other home and away in what is known as the regular First Division competition that runs from the end of July to mid-March.

After that teams 1 to 2 play in Play-off I, while the teams that finished 7th to 15th and the 2nd to 4th teams from the Second Division.

The Play-offs run from late March to late May. At the start of Play-off I the points are halved. This means that for example, Sporting Anderlecht that leads the First Division with 61 points after 30 games will start Play-off I with 31 points. Play-off II is made up of two groups of six teams that will play each other home and away.

The winners of each group play each other in the Play-off II final for the chance to take on the team that finished fourth in Play-off I for a place in the qualifying stage of the UEFA Europa League.

The Belgian Champion (the team that wins Play-off I) qualifies for the Champions League, the second-place team takes part in the preliminary round of the Champions League, usually ending up in the Europa League. The third place team qualifies for the final qualifying round of the Europa League.

Champions League, usually ending up in the Europa League. The third place team qualifies for the final qualifying round of the Europa League.

Just one team is relegated. Not unsurprisingly this is the team that finishes last after 30 games.
 

Sunday’s results

Anderlecht 3-0 Waasland-Beveren
Westerlo 0-4 Racing Genk
Club Brugge 2-2 STVV
Lokeren 0-0 Charleroi
Standard 2-2 Oostende
Eupen 1-3 Zulte Waregem
AA Gent 3-0 KV Mechelen
Kortrijk 0-2 Excel Mouscron

 

Play-off I

The following teams will take part in Play-off I
1) Sporting Anderlecht. Starts Play-off I with 31 points
2) Club Brugge. Starts Play-off I with 30 points.
3) Zulte Waregem. Starts Play-off I with 27 points
4) AA Gent. Starts Play-off I with 25 points.
5) KV Oostende. Starts Play-off I with 25 points
6) Sporting Charleroi. Starts Play-off I with 25 points.
 

Play-off II A

The following teams will compete in Play-off II A. KV KV Mechelen, Standard de Liège, Sint-Truiden, Waasland-Beveren, Lierse SK and Union Saint-Gilloise.

Play-off II B

The following teams will play in Play-off II B Racing Genk, KV Kortrijk, Sporting Lokeren, KAS Eupen, Excel Mouscron, Roeselare.
 

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