Connections part 11:
Royal Antwerp v Falkirk and Dundee FC
Royal Antwerp renewed their long association with Scotland when they faced Falkirk at the Falkirk Stadium. The connection with Scotland began with a friendly match against Motherwell in 1932 and has seen the Great Old play Kilmarnock, Aberdeen, Dundee United and now Falkirk and Dundee FC. Then we have players such as Michael Stewart (Hearts), Harald Pinxten (Livingston), Alen Orman (Hibernian) and Kris Mampaey (Dunfermline). All these stories will be covered later, and hopefully soon! But for today we concentrate on the games between Falkirk and Royal Antwerp and Dundee FC v Royal Antwerp which marked the opening of the new South Stand at the Westfield ground. The full story by Andrew Boyd, read here

Hearts in Aachen
Last sunday (12th July) a few of the Belgian members of the Scottish Kanaries made the trip to Baesweiler to see Heart of Midlothian
take on Alemammia Aachen in final game of their German tour. Aachen, who narrowly missed promotion to the Bundesliga at the end
of last season are currently awaiting entry into a new 31,900 stadium, the game was played infront crowd of around  2,000 at the Baesweiler
sportpark. Aachen eventually ran out 4-2 winners. pics

Connections part 10: Roberto Landi
It is an ironic twist which means that we return to Union Saint-Gilloise for the most recent connections. Just over a week ago U.S.G. hired the services of former Livingston manager Roberto Landi (and his assistant Valter Berlini). Landi will bring a world of experience to Union having played,as a goalkeeper, in his native Italy, the United States of America and South Africa. He has also been a manager in Italy, Rumania, Hungary and Scotland as well as coaching/managing with the national teams of Georgia (under-21), Lithuania and Qatar (under-21). Roberto Landi was born in Forli-Cesena on 2nd January 1956. A youth team goalkeeper with Bologna and Piacenza where he progressed to playing in the first team (in Serie C1). He move to Modena as back-up goalkeeper before spells at Ravenna and Siena. In 1979 Landi decided to move to the North American Soccer League joining the Vancouver Whitecaps. His next move was to Chicago Sting before joining Kaizer Chiefs in South Africa. His next move saw him return to America, in 1983, joining the New York Cosmos. His career then seems to take a major slump with Landi returning to Italy where he played for, mainly, amateur teams. Landi retired from playing in 1986 at the age of 30. The full story by Andrew Boyd, read here

Connections part 9: Union Saint-Gilloise
Union Saint-Gilloise, as far as I can find, have only 2 connections with Scotland. Firstly we have 2 Fairs Cup games against Hearts and then, former kanarie, Ibrahim Tankary. However the history of Union is also a history of The Red Devils, FIFA and European club trophies. Union Saint-Gilloise were born on 1st November 1897 and within 10 years they would have 4 League titles, and be runners-up once. It is hard to imagine now but in the period from 1902-03 until the start of The War Union were only outside the top 2 in 1 season - 1910-11. Also during this time Union won the Belgian Cup twice and the Coupe Van Der Straeten Ponthoz and the Coupe Jean Dupuich. The full story by Andrew Boyd, read here

Mark Sherriff to Grankanaria BBQ
Last weekend our member Mark Sherriff went to Belgium to visit the BBQ from our brotherclub Grankanaria. Mark was also able to visit the first two friendlies from STVV for the new season 2009-10. Mark managed to see STVV winning twice, first game result was 0-4 for the Kanaries, second match finished 0-2. Mark flew to Dusseldorf and hired a German car and drove all the way to Belgium and Sint-Truiden. Mark drove for the first time in his life on the right side (wrong side!?) of the road. Mark landed safe and well again in Scotland, pics here

Few Scottish Kanaries visit STVV-Brussels
Thanks to Animee and Kris for getting us back in time and to Marc and Miriam for picking us up. We ( Scottishkanaries) always knew we would win. What a weekend that was. The game itself was not a great one but the emotions afterwards were fantastic. I spoke with M. Duchatelet and he said he was glad that we were able to come back as he had seen us two weeks before that, when we came to see the KVSK and Waasland games. Can we thank everybody we met, drank with , ate with and just had a great time with. We feel so lucky to be part of a great time for our team. We will all be looking forward to coming back next season. Also being filmed pissed on Belgian TV  shouting Peter Delorge is God made all my friends over here laugh.
Een Kanarie Altijd, Roy Dittrich.
pictures klick here