How is your Flemish?  Not too bad I hope, because Saturday sees the visit of the second continental side in quick succession to these shores – Royal Antwerp. A different kettle of fish from Valladolid, we might get more this time than two sides passing each other to death. To me, Belgium means chocolate, beer (I’ll have a Leffe or a Duval) cycling (Eddy Merckx) and Plastic Bertrand (remember him?). Their Dutch neighbours have nicked all the publicity in recent years, but a bit of digging reveals a footie tradition every bit as grand.

Royal Antwerp are the grand old lady of Belgian football, 130 years old and counting. They have a history of acrimonious de-merger, arguments over ground ownership and an uncanny ability to punch above their weight and then self destruct. Split personality sound familiar? Prolonged therapy from IHE is called for, but without them we wouldn’t have their offspring - the marvellously monikered Germinal Beerschott.

In more recent times, the team from the Bouilstadion have gained some impressive mates, in the shape of Man United. United keep lending them youngsters like John O’Shea and Jonny Evans every year, and let’s face it those are the kind of mates you keep in with. The website claims another four are arriving, but they are bringing a side to TCS that appears short on named loanees, thank goodness. They still won their last friendly against K. Wijnegem V.C. 7-0 though, and Stavros Glouftsis and Kevin Oris both scored hat tricks so we can expect goals from them. They do, however, complain of injuries and a leaky defence, and with TB hinting that a strong line up might contain Foran and/or Hayes (maybe) we might also expect goals from us. A good open game looks possible.

RAFC fans are legendary, and known to turn up in numbers, so a large highland welcome is in order. So order “In Bruges” or “Man bites Dog”from the video shop; watch, giggle and quaff a Leffe or a Primus and raise a glass in welcome to the Reds of Royal Antwerp.

This preview comes to you from CTO’s intrepid cycling reporter davie, who forgot to mention the Stella.