2012–13 in Belgian football

Football in BelgiumSeason| 2012–13

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Men's football
Pro League| Anderlecht
Second Division| Oostende
Third Division A| Hoogstraten
Third Division B| Virton
Cup| Genk
Super Cup| Anderlecht
| <- 2011–12 |  | 2013–14 ->

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The 2012–13 football season in Belgium, which is the 110th season of competitive football in the country and runs from July 2012 until June 2013.

## National team football

[edit]

### Men's national football team

[edit]

Main article: Belgium national football team

With no less than four players winning individual awards as best player in their league following conclusion of the 2011–12 season, namely Eden Hazard (in France), Vincent Kompany (in England), Kevin Mirallas (in Greece) and Jan Vertonghen (in the Netherlands), questions were raised how it was possible that Belgium had not managed to qualify for the UEFA Euro 2012 tournament. Moreover, this raised the belief that Belgium would qualify for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, even with rather inexperienced head coach Marc Wilmots in charge after Georges Leekens quit in May 2012.

In a friendly before the actual qualifying campaign, the Red Devils managed to beat the Netherlands by a score of 4-2, with Dries Mertens the man of the match, scoring once and giving two assists. For once, a decent start was made, as Belgium won in Wales and kept Croatia to a 1-1 draw at home. The team continued on their good spirits, following up with a 0-3 win in Serbia, the biggest ever loss for the Serbian team, and a 2-0 win at home against Scotland. This left Belgium and Croatia together in the lead with 10 points out of 12 and with the other four teams trailing 6 or more points behind it already looked like they would be battling it out for first place. Also, by November Belgium moved into position 20 on the FIFA World Rankings, their highest position since 2004. Belgium finished the year 2012 with a 2-1 friendly loss in Romania.

In 2013, Belgium started with a 2-1 win against Slovakia, due to a last minute goal by Dries Mertens, before winning twice against Macedonia to keep their unbeaten status in the FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign. In June, while having risen to a record high 12th position in the FIFA World Rankings, Belgium first beat United States 2-4 in a friendly in Cleveland, before winning their final qualifying match at home against Serbia 2-1. At the same time, Croatia lost at home to Scotland, allowing Belgium to take a three-point lead.

#### 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification

[edit]

Wales v  Belgium 7 September 2012 |  Wales | 0 – 2|  Belgium | Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff

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19:45 UTC+1 |  | Report | Kompany 42'
Vertonghen 83' | Attendance: 20,156
Referee: Stefan Johannesson (Sweden)

Belgium v  Croatia 11 September 2012 |  Belgium | 1 – 1|  Croatia | King Baudouin Stadium, Brussels

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20:45 UTC+2 | Gillet 45+1' | Report | Perišić 6' | Attendance: 39,987
Referee: Alberto Undiano Mallenco (Spain)

Serbia v  Belgium 12 October 2012 |  Serbia | 0 – 3|  Belgium | Stadion Crvena Zvezda, Belgrade

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20:30 UTC+2 |  | Report | Benteke 34'
De Bruyne 68'
Mirallas 90+1' | Attendance: 21,650
Referee: Pavel Královec (Czech Republic)

Belgium v  Scotland 16 October 2012 |  Belgium | 2 – 0|  Scotland | King Baudouin Stadium, Brussels

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20:45 UTC+2 | Benteke 68'
Kompany 71' | Report |  | Attendance: 44,132
Referee: Tom Harald Hagen (Norway)

Macedonia v  Belgium 22 March 2013 |  Macedonia | 0 – 2|  Belgium | Philip II Arena, Skopje

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20:45 UTC+1 |  | Report | De Bruyne 26'
Hazard 62' (pen.) | Attendance: 15,947
Referee: Deniz Aytekin (Germany)

Belgium v  Macedonia 26 March 2013 |  Belgium | 1 – 0|  Macedonia | King Baudouin Stadium, Brussels

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20:45 UTC+1 | Hazard 62' | Report |  | Attendance: 44,230
Referee: Olegário Benquerença (Portugal)

Belgium v  Serbia 7 June 2013 |  Belgium | 2 – 1|  Serbia | King Baudouin Stadium, Brussels

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20:45 UTC+2 | De Bruyne 13'
Fellaini 60' | Report | Kolarov 87' | Attendance: 45,844
Referee: Stéphane Lannoy (France)

#### Friendlies

[edit]

Belgium v  Netherlands 15 August 2012 |  Belgium | 4 – 2|  Netherlands | King Baudouin Stadium, Brussels

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20:45 CEST | Benteke 20'
Mertens 75'
Lukaku 77'
Vertonghen 80' | Report | Narsingh 54'
Huntelaar 55' | Attendance: 46,000
Referee: Marijo Strahonja (Croatia)

Romania v  Belgium 14 November 2012 |  Romania | 2 – 1|  Belgium | Arena Națională, Bucharest

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20:00 CET | Maxim 32'
Torje 66' (pen.) | Report | Benteke 23' | Referee: Mauro Bergonzi (Italia)

Belgium v  Slovakia 6 February 2013 |  Belgium | 2 – 1|  Slovakia | Jan Breydel Stadium, Bruges

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20:45 CET | Hazard 10' (pen.)
Mertens 90' | Report | Lásik 87' | Referee: Alon Yefet (Israel)

United States v  Belgium 30 May 2013 |  United States | 2 – 4|  Belgium | FirstEnergy Stadium, Cleveland

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2:11 CET | Cameron 24'
Dempsey 80' (pen.) | Report | Mirallas 8'
Benteke 57', 71'
Fellaini 65' | Attendance: 27,720
Referee: Jeffrey Solís (Costa Rica)

## Promotion and relegation

[edit]

Team promoted to 2012–13 Belgian Pro League

* Belgian Second Division Champions: Charleroi
* Playoff winners: Waasland-Beveren

Teams relegated from 2011–12 Belgian Pro League

* 15th Place: Westerlo (lost playoff)
* 16th Place: Sint-Truiden

Teams promoted to 2012–13 Belgian Second Division

* Belgian Third Division A Champions: Mouscron-Péruwelz
* Belgian Third Division B Champions: Dessel Sport
* Playoff winners: Oudenaarde

Teams relegated from 2011-12 Belgian Second Division

* 16th Place, lost playoff: Tienen
* 17th Place: Dender EH
* 18th Place: Wetteren

## League competitions

[edit]

### Belgian First Division

[edit]

Main article: 2012–13 Belgian Pro League

### Belgian Second Division

[edit]

Main article: 2012–13 Belgian Second Division

#### Belgian Second Division final round

[edit]

Main article: 2012 Belgian Second Division final round

### Belgian Third Division

[edit]

#### Belgian Third Division A

[edit]

Pos | Team  | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts

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1  | Hoogstraten VV (P) | 34  | 22  | 8  | 4  | 73  | 31  | +42  | 74
2  | KRC Mechelen (E) | 34  | 18  | 10  | 6  | 55  | 37  | +18  | 64
3  | Verbroedering Geel-Meerhout (E, P) | 34  | 17  | 10  | 7  | 65  | 37  | +28  | 61
4  | K. Rupel Boom FC | 34  | 16  | 8  | 10  | 56  | 45  | +11  | 56
5  | K. Berchem Sport 2004 | 34  | 15  | 7  | 12  | 50  | 46  | +4  | 52
6  | R. Cappellen FC | 34  | 14  | 9  | 11  | 57  | 38  | +19  | 51
6  | Torhout 1992 KM | 34  | 14  | 9  | 11  | 42  | 37  | +5  | 51
8  | KFC Vigor Wuitens Hamme | 34  | 12  | 12  | 10  | 49  | 44  | +5  | 48
9  | KVV Coxyde | 34  | 12  | 10  | 12  | 54  | 42  | +12  | 46
10  | KSV Bornem | 34  | 11  | 12  | 11  | 51  | 53  | −2  | 45
11  | KSV Temse | 34  | 11  | 10  | 13  | 39  | 51  | −12  | 43
12  | K. Standaard Wetteren | 34  | 10  | 12  | 12  | 46  | 56  | −10  | 42
13  | KMSK Deinze (E) | 34  | 10  | 9  | 15  | 51  | 60  | −9  | 39
13  | K. Olsa Brakel | 34  | 10  | 9  | 15  | 44  | 56  | −12  | 39
15  | KV Turnhout | 34  | 9  | 7  | 18  | 53  | 66  | −13  | 34
15  | KFC Izegem | 34  | 9  | 7  | 18  | 49  | 67  | −18  | 34
17  | KSK Ronse (R) | 34  | 8  | 7  | 19  | 47  | 73  | −26  | 31
18  | K. Racing Waregem (R) | 34  | 8  | 4  | 22  | 42  | 84  | −42  | 28

Source: [citation needed]
(E) Entered promotion playoff; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated

#### Belgian Third Division B

[edit]

Pos | Team  | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts

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1  | R. Excelsior Virton (P) | 36  | 23  | 10  | 3  | 76  | 28  | +48  | 79
2  | K. Bocholter VV (E) | 36  | 22  | 8  | 6  | 73  | 37  | +36  | 74
3  | K. Patro Eisden Maasmechelen (E) | 36  | 18  | 13  | 5  | 63  | 36  | +27  | 67
4  | UR La Louvière Centre | 36  | 18  | 9  | 9  | 70  | 34  | +36  | 63
5  | RFC Huy | 36  | 14  | 10  | 12  | 51  | 43  | +8  | 52
5  | KSC Grimbergen | 36  | 14  | 10  | 12  | 58  | 53  | +5  | 52
7  | RFC Union La Calamine | 36  | 14  | 9  | 13  | 61  | 52  | +9  | 51
7  | Heppignies-Lambusart-Fleurus | 36  | 14  | 9  | 13  | 50  | 51  | −1  | 51
9  | FCV Dender EH | 36  | 13  | 12  | 11  | 57  | 47  | +10  | 51
9  | KVK Tienen (R) | 36  | 13  | 12  | 11  | 50  | 44  | +6  | 51
11  | RU Wallonne Ciney | 36  | 14  | 8  | 14  | 52  | 58  | −6  | 50
12  | KV Woluwe-Zaventem (E) | 36  | 13  | 8  | 15  | 52  | 57  | −5  | 47
13  | K. Diegem Sport | 36  | 12  | 9  | 15  | 58  | 56  | +2  | 45
14  | RFC Tournai | 36  | 12  | 7  | 17  | 46  | 51  | −5  | 43
15  | R. Géants Athois | 36  | 11  | 10  | 15  | 54  | 59  | −5  | 43
16  | RCS Verviétois | 36  | 9  | 14  | 13  | 42  | 54  | −12  | 41
17  | R. Union Saint-Gilloise | 36  | 9  | 11  | 16  | 46  | 53  | −7  | 38
18  | R. Entente Bertrigeoise (R) | 36  | 6  | 8  | 22  | 37  | 77  | −40  | 26
19  | FC Bleid-Gaume (R) | 36  | 3  | 1  | 32  | 12  | 128  | −116  | 10

Source: [citation needed]
(E) Entered promotion playoff; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated

#### Third division play-off

[edit]

All teams marked E entered a promotion playoff.

Only Verbroedering Geel-Meerhout succeeded in being promoted to the 2013–14 Belgian Second Division.

## Transfers

[edit]

Main article: List of Belgian football transfers summer 2012

Main article: List of Belgian football transfers winter 2012–13

## European Club results

[edit]

Champions Anderlecht and runners-up Club Brugge start in the qualifying rounds of the Champions League, while league numbers three and four, Genk and Gent play in the Europa League together with cup winners Lokeren.

Date  | Team  | Competition  | Round  | Leg  | Opponent  | Location  | Score  | Belgian Team Goalscorers

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19 July 2012  | Gent | Europa League | Qual. Round 2  | Leg 1, Away  |  Differdange | Stade du Thillenberg, Differdange | 0-1  | Arzo
26 July 2012  | Gent | Europa League | Qual. Round 2  | Leg 2, Home  |  Differdange | Jules Ottenstadion, Ghent | 3-2  | Melli, Conté, Kola
1 August 2012  | Anderlecht | Champions League | Qual. Round 3  | Leg 1, Home  |  Ekranas | Constant Vanden Stock Stadium, Anderlecht | 5-0  | De Sutter, Kanu, Mbokani (2), Jovanović
1 August 2012  | Club Brugge | Champions League | Qual. Round 3  | Leg 1, Away  |  Copenhagen | Parken Stadium, Copenhagen | 0-0  |
2 August 2012  | Genk | Europa League | Qual. Round 3  | Leg 1, Home  |  Aktobe | Cristal Arena, Genk | 2-1  | Vossen, Joseph-Monrose
2 August 2012  | Gent | Europa League | Qual. Round 3  | Leg 1, Away  |  Videoton | Sóstói Stadion, Székesfehérvár | 1-0  |
8 August 2012  | Anderlecht | Champions League | Qual. Round 3  | Leg 2, Away  |  Ekranas | Aukštaitija Stadium, Panevėžys | 0-6  | Kljestan, Praet, Iakovenko, De Sutter, Molins, Canesin
8 August 2012  | Club Brugge | Champions League | Qual. Round 3  | Leg 2, Home  |  Copenhagen | Jan Breydel Stadium, Bruges | 2-3  | Figueras, Odjidja
9 August 2012  | Genk | Europa League | Qual. Round 3  | Leg 2, Away  |  Aktobe | Aktobe Central Stadium, Aktobe | 1-2  | Benteke, Buffel
9 August 2012  | Gent | Europa League | Qual. Round 3  | Leg 2, Home  |  Videoton | Jules Ottenstadion, Ghent | 0-3  |
21/22 August 2012  | Anderlecht | Champions League | Play-off Round  | Leg 1, Away  |  AEL Limassol | Tsirion Stadium, Limassol | 2-1  | Mbokani
23 August 2012  | Club Brugge | Europa League | Play-off Round  | Leg 1, Away  |  Debrecen | Stadion Oláh Gábor Út, Debrecen | 0-3  | Blondel, Refaelov, Bacca
23 August 2012  | Genk | Europa League | Play-off Round  | Leg 1, Away  |  Luzern | Swissporarena, Lucerne | 2-1  | Vossen
23 August 2012  | Lokeren | Europa League | Play-off Round  | Leg 1, Home  |  Viktoria Plzeň | King Baudouin Stadium, Brussels | 2-1  | Harbaoui, Mij. Marić
28 August 2012  | Anderlecht | Champions League | Play-off Round  | Leg 2, Home  |  AEL Limassol | Constant Vanden Stock Stadium, Anderlecht | 2-0  | Mbokani, Iakovenko
30 August 2012  | Club Brugge | Europa League | Play-off Round  | Leg 2, Home  |  Debrecen | Jan Breydel Stadium, Bruges | 4-1  | Larsen, Vázquez, Tchité, Bacca
30 August 2012  | Genk | Europa League | Play-off Round  | Leg 2, Home  |  Luzern | Cristal Arena, Genk | 2-0  | Fernández, Masika
30 August 2012  | Lokeren | Europa League | Play-off Round  | Leg 2, Away  |  Viktoria Plzeň | Stadion města Plzně, Plzeň | 1-0  |
18 September 2012  | Anderlecht | Champions League | Group Stage  | Matchday 1, Away  |  AC Milan | San Siro, Milan | 0-0  |
20 September 2012  | Club Brugge | Europa League | Group Stage  | Matchday 1, Away  |  Bordeaux | Stade Chaban-Delmas, Bordeaux | 4-0  |
20 September 2012  | Genk | Europa League | Group Stage  | Matchday 1, Home  |  Videoton | Cristal Arena, Genk | 3-0  | Vossen, Buffel, De Ceulaer
3 October 2012  | Anderlecht | Champions League | Group Stage  | Matchday 2, Home  |  Málaga | Constant Vanden Stock Stadium, Anderlecht | 0-3  |
4 October 2012  | Club Brugge | Europa League | Group Stage  | Matchday 2, Home  |  Marítimo | Jan Breydel Stadium, Bruges | 2-0  | Bacca, Vleminckx
4 October 2012  | Genk | Europa League | Group Stage  | Matchday 2, Away  |  Basel | St. Jakob-Park, Basel | 2-2  | De Ceulaer, Vossen
24 October 2012  | Anderlecht | Champions League | Group Stage  | Matchday 3, Away  |  Zenit Saint Petersburg | Petrovsky Stadium, Saint Petersburg | 0-1  |
25 October 2012  | Club Brugge | Europa League | Group Stage  | Matchday 3, Away  |  Newcastle United | St James' Park, Newcastle | 0-1  |
25 October 2012  | Genk | Europa League | Group Stage  | Matchday 3, Home  |  Sporting CP | Cristal Arena, Genk | 2-0  | De Ceulaer, Barda
6 November 2012  | Anderlecht | Champions League | Group Stage  | Matchday 4, Home  |  Zenit Saint Petersburg | Constant Vanden Stock Stadium, Anderlecht | 1-0  | Mbokani
8 November 2012  | Club Brugge | Europa League | Group Stage  | Matchday 4, Home  |  Newcastle United | Jan Breydel Stadium, Bruges | 2-2  | Tričkovski, Jørgensen
8 November 2012  | Genk | Europa League | Group Stage  | Matchday 4, Away  |  Sporting CP | Estádio José Alvalade, Lisbon | 1-1  | Plet
21 November 2012  | Anderlecht | Champions League | Group Stage  | Matchday 5, Home  |  AC Milan | Constant Vanden Stock Stadium, Anderlecht | 1-3  | De Sutter
22 November 2012  | Club Brugge | Europa League | Group Stage  | Matchday 5, Home  |  Bordeaux | Jan Breydel Stadium, Bruges | 1-2  | Lestienne
22 November 2012  | Genk | Europa League | Group Stage  | Matchday 5, Away  |  Videoton | Sóstói Stadion, Székesfehérvár | 1-0  | Barda
4 December 2012  | Anderlecht | Champions League | Group Stage  | Matchday 6, Away  |  Málaga | La Rosaleda Stadium, Málaga | 2-2  | Jovanović, Mbokani
6 December 2012  | Club Brugge | Europa League | Group Stage  | Matchday 6, Away  |  Marítimo | Estádio dos Barreiros, Funchal | 2-1  | Refaelov
6 December 2012  | Genk | Europa League | Group Stage  | Matchday 6, Home  |  Basel | Cristal Arena, Genk | 0-0  |
14 February 2013  | Genk | Europa League | Round of 32  | Leg 1, Away  |  Stuttgart | Mercedes-Benz Arena, Stuttgart | 1-1  | Plet
21 February 2013  | Genk | Europa League | Round of 32  | Leg 2, Home  |  Stuttgart | Cristal Arena, Genk | 0-2  |

## Other honours

[edit]

Competition  | Winner

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Cup | Genk
Supercup | Anderlecht
Third division A | Hoogstraten
Third division B | Virton
Promotion A | Gent-Zeehaven
Promotion B | Londerzeel
Promotion C | Oosterzonen Oosterwijk
Promotion D | Sprimont-Comblain

## European qualification for 2013-14 summary

[edit]

Competition  | Qualifiers  | Reason for Qualification

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UEFA Champions League Group Stage  | Anderlecht | 1st in Jupiler League
UEFA Champions League Third Qualifying Round for Non-Champions  | Zulte Waregem | 2nd in Jupiler League
UEFA Europa League Play-off Round  | Genk | Cup winner
UEFA Europa League Third Qualifying Round  | Club Brugge | 3rd in Jupiler League
UEFA Europa League Second Qualifying Round  | Standard Liège | Europa League Playoff winner

## See also

[edit]

* 2012–13 Belgian Pro League
* 2012–13 Belgian Cup
* 2012 Belgian Super Cup
* Belgian Second Division
* Belgian Third Division: divisions A and B
* Belgian Promotion: divisions A, B, C and D

## References

[edit]

* v
* t
* e

2012–13 in Belgian football

« 2011–12

2013–14 »

League competitions|

* Pro League
* Second Division

Cup competitions|

* Belgian Cup (Final)
* Super Cup

Transfers|

* Summer 2012
* Winter 2012–13
* Summer 2013

UEFA competitions|

* Champions League
* Europa League

Related to national team|

* 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying (Group A)
* Marc Wilmots

Club seasons

Pro League|

* Anderlecht
* Beerschot
* Cercle Brugge
* Charleroi
* Club Brugge
* Genk
* Gent
* Kortrijk
* Lierse
* Lokeren
* Mechelen
* Mons
* OH Leuven
* Standard Liège
* Waasland-Beveren
* Zulte-Waregem

Belgian Second Division|

* Aalst
* Antwerp
* Boussu Dour
* Brussels
* Dessel
* Eupen
* Heist
* Lommel United
* Mouscron-Péruwelz
* Oostende
* Oudenaarde
* Roeselare
* Sint-Niklaas
* Sint-Truiden
* Tubize
* Visé
* Westerlo
* WS Woluwe

* v
* t
* e

Seasons in Belgian football

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*[Pos]: Position
*[Pld]: Played
*[W]: Won
*[D]: Drawn
*[L]: Lost
*[GF]: Goals for
*[GA]: Goals against
*[GD]: Goal difference
*[Pts]: Points
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template