# 2012–13 in Belgian football

The 2012–13 football season in Belgium, which is the 110th season of competitive football in the country and runs from July 2012 until June 2013.

## National team football
### Men's national football team

With no less than four players winning individual awards as best player in their league following conclusion of the 2011–12 season, namely Eden Hazard (in France), Vincent Kompany (in England), Kevin Mirallas (in Greece) and Jan Vertonghen (in the Netherlands), questions were raised how it was possible that Belgium had not managed to qualify for the UEFA Euro 2012 tournament. Moreover, this raised the belief that Belgium would qualify for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, even with rather inexperienced head coach Marc Wilmots in charge after Georges Leekens quit in May 2012.
In a friendly before the actual qualifying campaign, the Red Devils managed to beat the Netherlands by a score of 4-2, with Dries Mertens the man of the match, scoring once and giving two assists. For once, a decent start was made, as Belgium won in Wales and kept Croatia to a 1-1 draw at home. The team continued on their good spirits, following up with a 0-3 win in Serbia, the biggest ever loss for the Serbian team, and a 2-0 win at home against Scotland. This left Belgium and Croatia together in the lead with 10 points out of 12 and with the other four teams trailing 6 or more points behind it already looked like they would be battling it out for first place. Also, by November Belgium moved into position 20 on the FIFA World Rankings, their highest position since 2004. Belgium finished the year 2012 with a 2-1 friendly loss in Romania.
In 2013, Belgium started with a 2-1 win against Slovakia, due to a last minute goal by Dries Mertens, before winning twice against Macedonia to keep their unbeaten status in the FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign. In June, while having risen to a record high 12th position in the FIFA World Rankings, Belgium first beat United States 2-4 in a friendly in Cleveland, before winning their final qualifying match at home against Serbia 2-1. At the same time, Croatia lost at home to Scotland, allowing Belgium to take a three-point lead.

#### Friendlies
## Promotion and relegation

Team promoted to 2012–13 Belgian Pro League
* Belgian Second Division Champions: Charleroi
* Playoff winners: Waasland-Beveren
Teams relegated from 2011–12 Belgian Pro League
* 15th Place: Westerlo (lost playoff)
* 16th Place: Sint-Truiden
Teams promoted to 2012–13 Belgian Second Division
* Belgian Third Division A Champions: Mouscron-Péruwelz
* Belgian Third Division B Champions: Dessel Sport
* Playoff winners: Oudenaarde
Teams relegated from 2011-12 Belgian Second Division
* 16th Place, lost playoff: Tienen
* 17th Place: Dender EH
* 18th Place: Wetteren

## League competitions
### Belgian Third Division
#### Belgian Third Division A

| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
| 1 | Hoogstraten VV (P) | 34 | 22 | 8 | 4 | 73 | 31 | +42 | 74 |
| 2 | KRC Mechelen (E) | 34 | 18 | 10 | 6 | 55 | 37 | +18 | 64 |
| 3 | Verbroedering Geel-Meerhout (E, P) | 34 | 17 | 10 | 7 | 65 | 37 | +28 | 61 |
| 4 | K. Rupel Boom FC | 34 | 16 | 8 | 10 | 56 | 45 | +11 | 56 |
| 5 | K. Berchem Sport 2004 | 34 | 15 | 7 | 12 | 50 | 46 | +4 | 52 |
| 6 | R. Cappellen FC | 34 | 14 | 9 | 11 | 57 | 38 | +19 | 51 |
| 6 | Torhout 1992 KM | 34 | 14 | 9 | 11 | 42 | 37 | +5 | 51 |
| 8 | KFC Vigor Wuitens Hamme | 34 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 49 | 44 | +5 | 48 |
| 9 | KVV Coxyde | 34 | 12 | 10 | 12 | 54 | 42 | +12 | 46 |
| 10 | KSV Bornem | 34 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 51 | 53 | −2 | 45 |
| 11 | KSV Temse | 34 | 11 | 10 | 13 | 39 | 51 | −12 | 43 |
| 12 | K. Standaard Wetteren | 34 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 46 | 56 | −10 | 42 |
| 13 | KMSK Deinze (E) | 34 | 10 | 9 | 15 | 51 | 60 | −9 | 39 |
| 13 | K. Olsa Brakel | 34 | 10 | 9 | 15 | 44 | 56 | −12 | 39 |
| 15 | KV Turnhout | 34 | 9 | 7 | 18 | 53 | 66 | −13 | 34 |
| 15 | KFC Izegem | 34 | 9 | 7 | 18 | 49 | 67 | −18 | 34 |
| 17 | KSK Ronse (R) | 34 | 8 | 7 | 19 | 47 | 73 | −26 | 31 |
| 18 | K. Racing Waregem (R) | 34 | 8 | 4 | 22 | 42 | 84 | −42 | 28 |

#### Belgian Third Division B

| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
| 1 | R. Excelsior Virton (P) | 36 | 23 | 10 | 3 | 76 | 28 | +48 | 79 |
| 2 | K. Bocholter VV (E) | 36 | 22 | 8 | 6 | 73 | 37 | +36 | 74 |
| 3 | K. Patro Eisden Maasmechelen (E) | 36 | 18 | 13 | 5 | 63 | 36 | +27 | 67 |
| 4 | UR La Louvière Centre | 36 | 18 | 9 | 9 | 70 | 34 | +36 | 63 |
| 5 | RFC Huy | 36 | 14 | 10 | 12 | 51 | 43 | +8 | 52 |
| 5 | KSC Grimbergen | 36 | 14 | 10 | 12 | 58 | 53 | +5 | 52 |
| 7 | RFC Union La Calamine | 36 | 14 | 9 | 13 | 61 | 52 | +9 | 51 |
| 7 | Heppignies-Lambusart-Fleurus | 36 | 14 | 9 | 13 | 50 | 51 | −1 | 51 |
| 9 | FCV Dender EH | 36 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 57 | 47 | +10 | 51 |
| 9 | KVK Tienen (R) | 36 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 50 | 44 | +6 | 51 |
| 11 | RU Wallonne Ciney | 36 | 14 | 8 | 14 | 52 | 58 | −6 | 50 |
| 12 | KV Woluwe-Zaventem (E) | 36 | 13 | 8 | 15 | 52 | 57 | −5 | 47 |
| 13 | K. Diegem Sport | 36 | 12 | 9 | 15 | 58 | 56 | +2 | 45 |
| 14 | RFC Tournai | 36 | 12 | 7 | 17 | 46 | 51 | −5 | 43 |
| 15 | R. Géants Athois | 36 | 11 | 10 | 15 | 54 | 59 | −5 | 43 |
| 16 | RCS Verviétois | 36 | 9 | 14 | 13 | 42 | 54 | −12 | 41 |
| 17 | R. Union Saint-Gilloise | 36 | 9 | 11 | 16 | 46 | 53 | −7 | 38 |
| 18 | R. Entente Bertrigeoise (R) | 36 | 6 | 8 | 22 | 37 | 77 | −40 | 26 |
| 19 | FC Bleid-Gaume (R) | 36 | 3 | 1 | 32 | 12 | 128 | −116 | 10 |

#### Third division play-off

All teams marked E entered a promotion playoff.
Only Verbroedering Geel-Meerhout succeeded in being promoted to the 2013–14 Belgian Second Division.

## European Club results

Champions Anderlecht and runners-up Club Brugge start in the qualifying rounds of the Champions League, while league numbers three and four, Genk and Gent play in the Europa League together with cup winners Lokeren.
| Date | Team | Competition | Round | Leg | Opponent | Location | Score | Belgian Team Goalscorers |
| 19 July 2012 | Gent | Europa League | Qual. Round 2 | Leg 1, Away | Differdange | Stade du Thillenberg, Differdange | 0-1 | Arzo |
| 26 July 2012 | Gent | Europa League | Qual. Round 2 | Leg 2, Home | Differdange | Jules Ottenstadion, Ghent | 3-2 | Melli, Conté, Kola |
| 1 August 2012 | Anderlecht | Champions League | Qual. Round 3 | Leg 1, Home | Ekranas | Constant Vanden Stock Stadium, Anderlecht | 5-0 | De Sutter, Kanu, Mbokani (2), Jovanović |
| 1 August 2012 | Club Brugge | Champions League | Qual. Round 3 | Leg 1, Away | Copenhagen | Parken Stadium, Copenhagen | 0-0 | |
| 2 August 2012 | Genk | Europa League | Qual. Round 3 | Leg 1, Home | Aktobe | Cristal Arena, Genk | 2-1 | Vossen, Joseph-Monrose |
| 2 August 2012 | Gent | Europa League | Qual. Round 3 | Leg 1, Away | Videoton | Sóstói Stadion, Székesfehérvár | 1-0 | |
| 8 August 2012 | Anderlecht | Champions League | Qual. Round 3 | Leg 2, Away | Ekranas | Aukštaitija Stadium, Panevėžys | 0-6 | Kljestan, Praet, Iakovenko, De Sutter, Molins, Canesin |
| 8 August 2012 | Club Brugge | Champions League | Qual. Round 3 | Leg 2, Home | Copenhagen | Jan Breydel Stadium, Bruges | 2-3 | Figueras, Odjidja |
| 9 August 2012 | Genk | Europa League | Qual. Round 3 | Leg 2, Away | Aktobe | Aktobe Central Stadium, Aktobe | 1-2 | Benteke, Buffel |
| 9 August 2012 | Gent | Europa League | Qual. Round 3 | Leg 2, Home | Videoton | Jules Ottenstadion, Ghent | 0-3 | |
| 21/22 August 2012 | Anderlecht | Champions League | Play-off Round | Leg 1, Away | AEL Limassol | Tsirion Stadium, Limassol | 2-1 | Mbokani |
| 23 August 2012 | Club Brugge | Europa League | Play-off Round | Leg 1, Away | Debrecen | Stadion Oláh Gábor Út, Debrecen | 0-3 | Blondel, Refaelov, Bacca |
| 23 August 2012 | Genk | Europa League | Play-off Round | Leg 1, Away | Luzern | Swissporarena, Lucerne | 2-1 | Vossen |
| 23 August 2012 | Lokeren | Europa League | Play-off Round | Leg 1, Home | Viktoria Plzeň | King Baudouin Stadium, Brussels | 2-1 | Harbaoui, Mij. Marić |
| 28 August 2012 | Anderlecht | Champions League | Play-off Round | Leg 2, Home | AEL Limassol | Constant Vanden Stock Stadium, Anderlecht | 2-0 | Mbokani, Iakovenko |
| 30 August 2012 | Club Brugge | Europa League | Play-off Round | Leg 2, Home | Debrecen | Jan Breydel Stadium, Bruges | 4-1 | Larsen, Vázquez, Tchité, Bacca |
| 30 August 2012 | Genk | Europa League | Play-off Round | Leg 2, Home | Luzern | Cristal Arena, Genk | 2-0 | Fernández, Masika |
| 30 August 2012 | Lokeren | Europa League | Play-off Round | Leg 2, Away | Viktoria Plzeň | Stadion města Plzně, Plzeň | 1-0 | |
| 18 September 2012 | Anderlecht | Champions League | Group Stage | Matchday 1, Away | AC Milan | San Siro, Milan | 0-0 | |
| 20 September 2012 | Club Brugge | Europa League | Group Stage | Matchday 1, Away | Bordeaux | Stade Chaban-Delmas, Bordeaux | 4-0 | |
| 20 September 2012 | Genk | Europa League | Group Stage | Matchday 1, Home | Videoton | Cristal Arena, Genk | 3-0 | Vossen, Buffel, De Ceulaer |
| 3 October 2012 | Anderlecht | Champions League | Group Stage | Matchday 2, Home | Málaga | Constant Vanden Stock Stadium, Anderlecht | 0-3 | |
| 4 October 2012 | Club Brugge | Europa League | Group Stage | Matchday 2, Home | Marítimo | Jan Breydel Stadium, Bruges | 2-0 | Bacca, Vleminckx |
| 4 October 2012 | Genk | Europa League | Group Stage | Matchday 2, Away | Basel | St. Jakob-Park, Basel | 2-2 | De Ceulaer, Vossen |
| 24 October 2012 | Anderlecht | Champions League | Group Stage | Matchday 3, Away | Zenit Saint Petersburg | Petrovsky Stadium, Saint Petersburg | 0-1 | |
| 25 October 2012 | Club Brugge | Europa League | Group Stage | Matchday 3, Away | Newcastle United | St James' Park, Newcastle | 0-1 | |
| 25 October 2012 | Genk | Europa League | Group Stage | Matchday 3, Home | Sporting CP | Cristal Arena, Genk | 2-0 | De Ceulaer, Barda |
| 6 November 2012 | Anderlecht | Champions League | Group Stage | Matchday 4, Home | Zenit Saint Petersburg | Constant Vanden Stock Stadium, Anderlecht | 1-0 | Mbokani |
| 8 November 2012 | Club Brugge | Europa League | Group Stage | Matchday 4, Home | Newcastle United | Jan Breydel Stadium, Bruges | 2-2 | Tričkovski, Jørgensen |
| 8 November 2012 | Genk | Europa League | Group Stage | Matchday 4, Away | Sporting CP | Estádio José Alvalade, Lisbon | 1-1 | Plet |
| 21 November 2012 | Anderlecht | Champions League | Group Stage | Matchday 5, Home | AC Milan | Constant Vanden Stock Stadium, Anderlecht | 1-3 | De Sutter |
| 22 November 2012 | Club Brugge | Europa League | Group Stage | Matchday 5, Home | Bordeaux | Jan Breydel Stadium, Bruges | 1-2 | Lestienne |
| 22 November 2012 | Genk | Europa League | Group Stage | Matchday 5, Away | Videoton | Sóstói Stadion, Székesfehérvár | 1-0 | Barda |
| 4 December 2012 | Anderlecht | Champions League | Group Stage | Matchday 6, Away | Málaga | La Rosaleda Stadium, Málaga | 2-2 | Jovanović, Mbokani |
| 6 December 2012 | Club Brugge | Europa League | Group Stage | Matchday 6, Away | Marítimo | Estádio dos Barreiros, Funchal | 2-1 | Refaelov |
| 6 December 2012 | Genk | Europa League | Group Stage | Matchday 6, Home | Basel | Cristal Arena, Genk | 0-0 | |
| 14 February 2013 | Genk | Europa League | Round of 32 | Leg 1, Away | Stuttgart | Mercedes-Benz Arena, Stuttgart | 1-1 | Plet |
| 21 February 2013 | Genk | Europa League | Round of 32 | Leg 2, Home | Stuttgart | Cristal Arena, Genk | 0-2 | |

## Other honours

| Competition | Winner |
| Cup | Genk |
| Supercup | Anderlecht |
| Third division A | Hoogstraten |
| Third division B | Virton |
| Promotion A | Gent-Zeehaven |
| Promotion B | Londerzeel |
| Promotion C | Oosterzonen Oosterwijk |
| Promotion D | Sprimont-Comblain |

## European qualification for 2013-14 summary

| Competition | Qualifiers | Reason for Qualification |
| UEFA Champions League Group Stage | Anderlecht | 1st in Jupiler League |
| UEFA Champions League Third Qualifying Round for Non-Champions | Zulte Waregem | 2nd in Jupiler League |
| UEFA Europa League Play-off Round | Genk | Cup winner |
| UEFA Europa League Third Qualifying Round | Club Brugge | 3rd in Jupiler League |
| UEFA Europa League Second Qualifying Round | Standard Liège | Europa League Playoff winner |