Champions League Men | 4 Jun 2012

SAIVE’s goodbye to Charleroi after 22 years!

After 22 years in Villette Charleroi (1 Wolrd title, 7 Champions League, 1 Euro Super Cup, 22 national titles and 20 Belgian Cups), 42 year-old Jean-Michel SAIVE will move to TT Auderghem in suburb of Brussels, the Belgian capital. “The last three years were very difficult.. Villette have real big financial problems. But the motivitation of the players was fantastic. We reached the Champions’league final in 2010, we won everything in Belgium. Now, it’s time fo a new challenge,” stated legenday player who will represent Belgium once again at the Olympic Games this summer in London.

With his new club – promoted from Division 1 in Superdivision – he will play with Yannick VOSTES, the Belgian N.2, from Virton, KOU Lei, the Ukrainian player from Villette Charleroi and Anthony MAECK (B0).

“It’s a strange feeling. I have mixed emotions of nostalgia, sadness, excitment. I need new challenges. In Belgium, all around Villette was banalized, even our 8 finals in 10 years in Champions League. It will be totally new and different. The aim will be to become champion or to win the Cup.”

No ETTU Cup for the new team: “We need to stabilsed the club. Every decisions were made very quickly.”

For Villette Charleroi, it’s the end of an incredible era. Next season, no team in Superdivion. “Just one in division 1 with the aim of promotion to recover our place next season”, President Michel BEIRENS explained.

(by Christian RASPILLER)

Photo: Jean Michel SAIVE (Photo Roscher)

EWT, EWT