Belgian Cup win Eddy Merckx in run-up to Ho Chi Minh

HOOGLEDE - The Belgian Cup, the most important event in this country following the Belgian championship, was for Eddy Merckx's for the fourth time in his career this Sunday afternoon. In the final match, Merckx was not really threatened by Davy van Havere, the other final player at De Gulden Zonne in Hooglede, where 32 players started and Merckx was on stage with Davy van Havere and the numbers three Peter Ceulemans and Ivan Stitschinsky. The Belgian cup success is not expressed in ranking points, is good for 1000 euro prize money, but certainly gives Merckx morale for his trip to the World Cup in Ho Chi Minh. ’’Always nice to play and win the cup, especially with the atmosphere as it was with lots of spectators and wonderful matches,'' was the winner's comment.

This Monday morning, the Belgian, together with Dick Jaspers as his travelling companion, will get on the plane with the pleasant feeling of the cup winner. Merckx only had a tough match against his first opponent in the preliminaries, when he had to survive even one match point against Jef Philipoom, missed by Philipoom by a kiss. In the semi-finals, Peter Ceulemans, who had eliminated titleholder Roland Forthomme, was a very tough competitor. Ceulemans was beaten 3-1 by Merckx after exciting sets.

Davy van Havere, who had won the semi-final against Ivan Stitschinsky, was conquered in the final by Merckx in three sets 15-12, 15-12 and 15-10, all three sets just under 10 innings. For Davy van Havere, it was the second time in his career that he was competing for the gold medal. In 2012, he won the final against the same Eddy Merckx.

Eddy Merckx has now won the Belgian Cup a total of four times (2004, 2014, 2016, 2023) and stood on the podium 15 times since 1992. The tournament was played at well known grounds in Hooglede, Flanders, in matches for the final rounds to 3 won sets of 15 points. The match between Peter Ceulemans and Roland Forthomme on the late Saturday night was one of the highlights. The two Belgian cracks played a delightful, open match with constantly changing chances, wonderful play and, despite the tension and strong defense, averages of 1.724 for Forthomme and 1.600 for Ceulemans.

Peter Ceulemans' rising star, already in great form for weeks, made him a contender for his first cup win, but Eddy Merckx still proved a real killer in big tournaments.

The later winner won the match against Andy de Bondt in the quarter-finals with clear figures (3-0). Peter Ceulemans reached the semi-finals by wins against Didier Goethals (2-0), Matty Monnissen (2-1) and finally Roland Forthomme (3-1). 

Davy van Havere completed his winning stretch for the final against Francis Bosseloirs (2-0), Thomas Broux (2-0) and Maximilien Aussems (3-0). Ivan Stitschinskym the dark-horse in this field, triumphed against Bart Leys (2-0), Henk Blauwblomme (2-1) and in a blistering battle against Kurt Ceulemans 3-1.

Maximilien Aussems was a surprise in the final field with 8th place in the final standings. He is a new name in the cup final and comes from Thimister near Liège. 

Eddy Merckx, winner for the fourth time in his caree

Eddy Merckx, good win in the run-up to Ho Chi Minh City World Cup

Davy van Havere, final player

Peter Ceulemans and Eddy Merckx

Ivan Stitschinsky

The final standings of the Belgian Cup (best 8):

1. Eddy Merckx
2. Davy van Havere
3. Peter Ceulemans
4. Ivan Stitschinski
5. Roland Forthomme
6. Andy de Bondt
7. Kurt Ceulemans
8. Maximilien Aussems