Team Stienlet has won the BV match at the Kevin De Bruyne Cup 2023. The Red Devils' regular stadium announcer and his companions defeated Aster Nzeyimana's team with forfait figures. About a thousand spectators enjoyed the skills of the showbiz vets and old football glories. The 6the edition of the international U15 tournament including Manchester City, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, and for the first time two teams from outside Europe: Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa) and Palmeiras SE (Brazil)
It was hot on and off the artificial turf of KVE Drongen on Friday evening 9 June, on the eve of the KDB Cup. At kick-off (given by our Olympic medallist Bashir Abdi) around 7.30pm, the mercury was still indicating 29 degrees. Team captains Aster Nzeyimana and Christophe Stienlet gathered a host of Famous Flemings from showbiz and the world of football, such as Kevin Janssens, Mathieu Terryn, Kobe Ilsen, Davino Verhulst and Mike Verstraeten. Mayor Mathias De Clercq also put on his football boots again after a long time. All worked up a sweat for honour and glory.
The match remained closed for a long time (no doubt the weather was in between for much of it) until Kenneth Vanbaeden opened the scoring for Team Stienlet after some 25 minutes. Halfway through the second half, things suddenly went fast: Tim 'Timtation' Wauters put Team Stienlet 2-0 ahead, just after that Bram Van Eerstvelde added one more. The spring seemed broken at Team Aster. Shortly before the end, Kenneth Vanbaeden and Martijn Debbaut recorded the 5-0 final score.
By the way, the match was perfectly managed by an all-female refereeing trio: Viki De Cremer, Shauni Depruyst and Irmgard Van Meirvenne.
Christophe Stienlet: "Figures too heavy"
Even in the euphoria of victory, team captain Christophe Stienlet showed himself to be a gallant winner. "I have to tell it like it is: the figures are exaggerated. 2-0 would have been a more accurate result. I thought Team Aster were better than last year. They were unlucky in finishing, we also had more substitutes. But above all: our goalkeeper Jeremy Vandoorne was unbeatable. For me, he is the man of the match, which says it all. But to be clear: we did win deservedly," Stienlet concluded with a wink.
Chairman Paul Naudts: "Satisfied with turnout"
Paul Naudts, chairman of the KDB Cup asbl, was quite satisfied with the prelude to the sixth edition of the KDB Cup. "There is a nice atmosphere and people saw a nice BV match, with commitment. I am also quite satisfied with the turnout. Because of the World Cup in Qatar this winter, and the long national competition, we had no choice but to organise it in the middle of the exam period (the next edition will take place on 1 & 2 June 2024, nvdr). Moreover, it is very hot and people know that Kevin himself cannot be there anyway. But despite that, there are a lot of people, so this gives me immense pleasure."
About the KDB Cup itself, the chairman is confident. "I have already seen some teams training: it will undoubtedly be another sporting tournament. In particular, I watched the two teams from outside Europe. Palmeiras SE (Brazil) left a very strong impression. Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa) looks technically strong to me, but might fall a bit short in terms of physical strength. In any case, I am very curious. Anyway: the players and staff of both teams are super happy to be here... and so are we."
After the BV match, the U15 of KVE Drongen had to play against the U14 of KMSK Deinze. DJ Neon ('house DJ' of KAA Gent and known from Tomorrowland, among others) got the Open Air Party going. It remained lively in and around the KVE Drongen canteen until midnight.
As always, the proceeds of the evening will go to charity. This year that charity is Komok, a non-profit organisation that helps parents of young cancer patients, founded under the impetus of Davino Verhulst after his then 10-month-old daughter was diagnosed with cancer in October 2015.
