Union wins first Belgian league title in 90 years
BRUSSELS (AP) — Union Saint-Gilloise sealed its first Belgian league title in 90 years with a 3-1 win over Genk on Sunday.
Promise David scored twice and Franjo Ivanovic added another goal to help the small Brussels club secure its first league title since 1935.
Union entered the final round of the championship playoffs 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 then faded in the playoffs to let Club Brugge take the title. The epic 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 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.
This time, Genk was the leader that collapsed in the playoffs. Union surged with a run of five clean sheets, including a 1-0 win at Brugge on April 24, to go top for the first time.
___
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Winnipeg Free Press
28 minutes ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Texas beats Texas Tech 10-4 in decisive 3rd game of WCWS to win its 1st national championship
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Mia Scott hit a grand slam, Teagan Kavan claimed another win and Texas defeated Texas Tech 10-4 in Game 3 of the Women's College World Series championship series on Friday night to win its first national title. Kavan, a sophomore, allowed no earned runs in all 31 2/3 innings she pitched at the World Series. She went 4-0 with a save in the World Series for the Longhorns (56-12). Texas Tech star pitcher NiJaree Canady, who had thrown every pitch for the Red Raiders through their first five World Series games, was pulled after one inning in Game 3. She gave up five runs on five hits and only threw 25 pitches. Not even support from former Texas Tech football star Patrick Mahomes and his wife, Brittany, who were in attendance, could put the Red Raiders (54-14) over the top. Texas had lost to Oklahoma in the championship series two of the previous three years. Oklahoma was one of the teams Texas beat on its way to the championship. ___ AP sports:
Winnipeg Free Press
34 minutes ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Texas beats Texas Tech 10-4 in decisive 3rd game of Women's College World Series to win its 1st national championship
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Texas beats Texas Tech 10-4 in decisive 3rd game of Women's College World Series to win its 1st national championship.
Winnipeg Free Press
an hour ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Tarik Skubal stars as the Tigers top the Cubs 3-1 in a matchup of division leaders
DETROIT (AP) — Tarik Skubal pitched one-run ball into the eighth inning, and Detroit Tigers beat the Chicago Cubs 3-1 on Friday night in the opener of a weekend series between two of the majors' best teams. Skubal (6-2) allowed eight hits, struck out six and walked none in 7 2/3 innings. In his past 11 starts, the reigning AL Cy Young Award winner is 6-0 with a 1.61 ERA, 95 strikeouts and three walks. Skubal left with runners on the corners, then had to wait out a dramatic moment. Seiya Suzuki lifted a deep flyball to right off Will Vest, but Kerry Carpenter reached above the wall to keep Detroit in front. Vest got four outs for his 10th save. Cubs right-hander Ben Brown (3-4) permitted two runs and seven hits in seven innings. Spencer Torkelson and Jahmai Jones homered for the AL Central-leading Tigers. The Tigers jumped in front in the fifth on an RBI single by Gleyber Torres, but the NL Central-leading Cubs responded with Kyle Tucker's run-scoring double in the sixth. That ended Skubal's scoreless streak at 20 innings, matching his career high. Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. Torkelson made it 2-1 when he connected for his 15th homer in the bottom half. Jones went deep in the eighth in his Tigers debut, belting a pinch-hit drive off Génesis Cabrera. The game, attended by a large contingent of Cubs fans, drew a crowd of 40,132 for the third sellout at Comerica Park this season.
