"In a small, indomitable neighbourhood in the heart of Brussels, a traditional club has been defying the established clubs for years. Union Saint-Gilloise has its roots in the narrow streets of Saint-Gilles, among cafés and cobblestones, yet it's connected to the wider world of football. And after making history in 2025, they'll now test their mettle at the Allianz Arena on 21 January."
"It's been 128 years since Union Saint-Gilloise was founded in 1897, but for the majority of that time, the club languished between the second and fourth divisions in the lower echelons of Belgian professional football. This made the impact with which USG made history in May 2025 all the greater. The club, which had only returned to the top tier in 2021 after almost half a century, quickly developed into a top team."
"Built in 1919, USG's Joseph-Marien Stadium holds just 9,400 spectators. One stand is a listed building, its rows of seats blending into the adjacent hill - a scene from another era. "The stadium is old and village-like," says Belgian TV pundit Alex Teklak, who covers many Union SG matches. "The fans talk about this place as if it were paradise.""
Union Saint-Gilloise began in Saint-Gilles and maintained deep local roots amid cafés and cobblestones. Founded in 1897, the club spent most of its history fluctuating between Belgium's second and fourth divisions before returning to the top tier in 2021 after nearly fifty years. Rapid on-field progress transformed USG into a top team, and persistent near-misses preceded a breakthrough championship victory in May 2025. The title triggered widespread euphoria in the compact Saint-Gilles district. Joseph-Marien Stadium, built in 1919 with a listed stand and just 9,400 seats, retains a village-like character that supporters revere. USG will play at the Allianz Arena on 21 January.
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