But the game itself was an upand- down affair: despite trailing 1-0 just before the break, Anderlecht replied twice within three minutes and at one point were 4-2 up – just a goal away from an overall lead. Hamburg will now play the only surviving Belgian team in the competition, Standard Liège.

Meanwhile, closer to home, Flemish boxing hope Osei Bonsu “Sugar” Jackson was knocked out in the first round of his IBF welterweight title eliminator at Antwerp’s Lotto Arena last Friday by former WBO light-welterweight champion Randall Bailey. It only took a minute for the American Bailey to display his much-feared punch, knocking Jackson to the floor with a left hook. Jackson clambered back into the fray but was soon down again after a huge left hand to the head. The referee quickly halted the action, ending Jackson’s dreams of getting his shot at the world title.