Leo Van Der Elst
Encyclopedia
Leo Van der Elst is a retired Belgian
footballer who played mainly as a defensive midfielder.
His older brother, François
, was also a professional footballer. Both were Belgian internationals.
, RKC Waalwijk
, Charleroi SC
, K.R.C. Genk
and V.C. Eendracht Aalst 2002
, retiring in 1995 at 33. Subsequently, he began a coaching career.
Van der Elst gained 13 caps for Belgium and was selected, alongside Franky, to the 1986 FIFA World Cup
; there, in the quarterfinal clash against Spain
, he scored the penalty shootout decider after the regulation 1–1.
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
footballer who played mainly as a defensive midfielder.
His older brother, François
François Van Der Elst
François J. C. van der Elst is a former Belgian footballer, who played as a striker.Nicknamed Swat, his younger brother, Leo, was also a professional footballer. Both were Belgian internationals.-Football career:...
, was also a professional footballer. Both were Belgian internationals.
Football career
During his career, Van der Elst played for Royal Antwerp FC, Club Brugge KV (where he often partnered namesake Franky, contributing with five goals in 30 games to the conquest of the 1987–88 national championship), FC MetzFC Metz
Football Club de Metz, commonly referred to as simply Metz , is a French association football club based in Metz. The club was formed in 1932 and has spent most of its history in the Ligue 1, though they currently play in Ligue 2, the second level in French football league system. Metz plays its...
, RKC Waalwijk
RKC Waalwijk
RKC Waalwijk is a football club currently playing in the Eredivisie. Its name is derived from 'Rooms Katholieke Combinatie' and was a fusion club of HEC, WVB and Hercules.-History:...
, Charleroi SC
R. Charleroi S.C.
Sporting du Pays de Charleroi is a Belgian football club based in the city of Charleroi, in the province of Hainaut. Charleroi plays in the Belgian Pro League and their current spell at the highest level in Belgian football has started in the 1985–86 season...
, K.R.C. Genk
K.R.C. Genk
Koninklijke Racing Club Genk , usually referred to as Racing Genk or simply Genk, is a Belgian professional football club based in the city of Genk in Belgian Limburg. Racing Genk plays in the Belgian Pro League and they have won 3 Belgian champion titles in 1998–99, in 2001–02 and in 2010–11 as...
and V.C. Eendracht Aalst 2002
V.C. Eendracht Aalst 2002
SC Eendracht Aalst is a Belgian football club based in Aalst, East Flanders.It changed its name in 2002 after former Belgian First Division club K.S.C. Eendracht Aalst had gone into liquidation. So they could not get the license and the new team began at the third division level...
, retiring in 1995 at 33. Subsequently, he began a coaching career.
Van der Elst gained 13 caps for Belgium and was selected, alongside Franky, to the 1986 FIFA World Cup
1986 FIFA World Cup
The 1986 FIFA World Cup, the 13th FIFA World Cup, was held in Mexico from 31 May to 29 June. The tournament was the second to feature a 24-team format. Colombia had been originally chosen to host the competition by FIFA but, largely due to economic reasons, was not able to do so and officially...
; there, in the quarterfinal clash against Spain
Spain national football team
The Spain national football team represents Spain in international association football and is controlled by the Royal Spanish Football Federation, the governing body for football in Spain. The current head coach is Vicente del Bosque...
, he scored the penalty shootout decider after the regulation 1–1.