On Wednesday, December 9, 1987, exactly 35 years ago today, in the return game of the 1/8 finals of the UEFA Cup, Club Brugge had to make up a 3-0 deficit from the out game against German Borussia Dortmund. Blauw-Zwart won that now memorable return match by no less than 5-0 after extensions! Club player Leo Van der Elst was the match winner with 3 goals. Relive the match here.
CLUB FANS PROVIDE WARM ATMOSPHERE IN ICE-COLD OLYMPIA
After Club eliminated Zenit Saint Petersburg and Red Star Belgrade successively in the previous rounds, it faced German Borussia Dortmund in the 1/8th finals. In the outward match, Club was sent home with dry 3-0 figures at Dortmund's Westfalenstadion, so the chances of a place in the quarterfinals were already seriously mortgaged by then.
Despite the bitter cold on that famous Wednesday night, December 9, in 1987, the Olympiastadion was filled to the brim. The Blue-Black fans fervently hoped that coach Henk Houwaart's men would once again bring about a European miracle and, just like against Zenit and Red Star in the previous rounds, be able to rectify a defeat in the outward match at home.
IMMEDIATELY ON THE ATTACK
Club Brugge started the return game in high spirits. It immediately pulled out all the stops in attack. This resulted very quickly in an opening goal by captain Ceulemans. In the 9th minute, he headed a Ronny Rosenthal cross into the top right corner.
Club was close to a second goal a couple of times after that, but couldn't get the ball past Dortmund goalkeeper De Beer in the first half. At halftime, it was still only 1-0 and qualification was a long way off.
FLAMING OUT OF THE LOCKER ROOM
Club came out of the locker room the sharpest. A corner kick taken by Marc Degryse was not headed far enough away by the German and Leo Van der Elst kicked the 2-0 on the scoreboard through a bunch of legs. Encouraged by the Bruges crowd, which had become delirious in the meantime, it was all Blauw-Zwart from then on. Jan Ceulemans scored his second goal of the evening, but that goal was disallowed after an alleged jersey-pulling. Moments later, Club was awarded a penalty after a slight push foul on Ronny Rosenthal. Leo Van der Elst did not hesitate and, with his second goal of the evening, brought his team to 3-0. Extensions were in sight.
HAT TRICK HERO LEO VAN DER ELST
And still the spectacle was not over. Ronny Rosenthal, who like other Club attackers played a tremendous game, had his goal disallowed for offside. So it remained 3-0 and we got extensions. Club goalkeeper Philippe 'Fluppe' Vande Walle prevented the deadly goal with a supersave and not much later, Franky Van der Elst made it 4-0 with a strike from outside the 16. In the closing minutes Club got another penalty after a hooking error on Rosenthal. Leo Van der Elst again remained icily calm and converted it flawlessly. His third goal of the match! The Olympia Stadium was now really shaking on its foundations. Club eventually won 5-0 over Borussia Dortmund and, after an incredibly spectacular piece of soccer, advanced to the quarterfinals.
"THIS MATCH WILL BE LONG REMEMBERED BY A LOT OF CLUB SUPPORTERS"
To this day, exactly 35 years ago, this match still lingers in the collective soccer memory of many Club fans. Principal Leo Van der Elst also remembers it vividly: "I still remember the bus ride on the way to Olympia. The radio was on in the players' bus and Jan Wauters spoke, "This could be Leo Van der Elst's game," and he was right in the end. I scored 3 goals and we won 5-0. This match a lot of Club supporters will remember for a long time."
Would you like to relive this historic match and many more moments from the rich Club history? Book a Stadium Tour at Club Brugge and discover the many highlights of Club history in our Club Museum. More info and reservation can be found at www.clubbrugge.be/stadiontour.