Fellaini... and other famous Belgians...

[sunburywhite]

Obviously he wanted to win trophys

[HatterDon]

Obviously he wanted to win trophys

and all he won was ZERO international caps.

[Holders]

Stella Artois

[Patterson]

As a half-Belgian, I feel as though I have to pipe up a bit.

We currently have the potential to be one of the better teams in Europe within the next 2 years.  I think what a poster before me said about lack of experience is a big factor for this team.  I think individually they know they're good, but they have to understand the magnitude of what lies ahead.  They have enough names on the sheet to challenge for the next Euro and World Cup if only they can gel together under a playing philosophy as well as narrow down the key members and build said style around their games.

This is it.  The golden generation.  It will never be this good again...let's make it count.

PS:  I cheer very openly and passionately for what is very much my second nationality.  My mother was born there and I hold a citizenship, but that's as far as it goes.  I yearn for the day to cheer for Canada in major competition and hold out hope for positive results...the wait continues.

[sipwell]

 :Belgique: we could line a full team :)

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2191648/The-Belgian-Invasion-Including-Eden-Hazard-Marouane-Fellaini-Vincent-Kompany.html

[HatterDon]

Which goes to underscore the quality of players in the Dutch league. We really MUST not sign anyone who plays in that league.

[timmyg]

What I find fascinating about Belgium is how we've been having this conversation for years.

From 2009: http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2009/oct/07/belgium-world-cup-qualifying

[HatterDon]

What I find fascinating about Belgium is how we've been having this conversation for years.

From 2009: http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2009/oct/07/belgium-world-cup-qualifying

What I find fascinating is that more than one person on this site feels like talking about Belgium.  :airfix: :airfix:

[licker]

Eddie Mercx and Hercules Poirot ?

Are they both wingers. ?? :005:

[Mitch]

Is it true that a big issue with the team is the language spoken? Some French and some Flemmish (sp?)?

They really need a main striker too, unless Lukaku can really come on leaps and bounds for WC Qualifying.

[Mr_Moon]

Can't be any worse than having Scouse and Geordie in the dressing room.

[sipwell]

Is it true that a big issue with the team is the language spoken? Some French and some Flemmish (sp?)?

They really need a main striker too, unless Lukaku can really come on leaps and bounds for WC Qualifying.

French and Flemish (Dutch) is spoken. Mind you, most Flemish Moroccans speak French as well. Language is not the biggest issue ;-)

[Holders]

Mr Sipwell.

Out of interest, does Flemish differ from Dutch in any way? That is, is it a dialect or maybe just a regional accent? Are there local words as in the English/German regional accents?

[Yellow Jacket]

I think Belgium will be a serious player in WC 2014 and Euro 2016.

[sipwell]

Mr Sipwell.

Out of interest, does Flemish differ from Dutch in any way? That is, is it a dialect or maybe just a regional accent? Are there local words as in the English/German regional accents?

Exactly the same. A bit like American English and British English (accent differences and some other expressions/idioms)

[Berserker]

can you recommend a holiday dutch/flemish language book mr sipwell for us english speakers

[Holders]

I've never studied Dutch but flew KLM last year (and will again in three weeks) and, with a little German, it's amazing how much of the Dutch announcements are quite understandable and not that dissimilar to English. The spelling just makes it look more different.  If it hadn't been for the Norman invasion, the languages would have diverged less.

[Berserker]

They do beginners german at a college near me, i may do it next term. Can't do it this term as i'm doing a creative writing course.

[Gozorich]

They do beginners german at a college near me, i may do it next term. Can't do it this term as i'm doing a creative writing course.

I know this is a bit like hijacking this thread but then I started it anyway! :005:

I can highly recommend the Creative Writing course at the Open University. I did it for a couple of years and it was very good and surprisingly easy to follow. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Good luck. :wine:

[Berserker]

Thanks i may do something like that if i do well this term.