How Humble Leuven Achieved…

Debutants. Underdogs. Small fish. Having never qualified for the UEFA Women’s Champions League (UWCL) before, Belgian team OH Leuven faced countless labels and skepticism before their first match. They came with modest expectations, but even within the club, few could have envisioned the fairytale journey that would see them secure a place in the knockout-phase playoffs as the 12th-best team in Europe.

After a 3-0 loss to Arsenal and Valerenga‘s defeat to Bayern Munich, Leuven celebrated their advancement to the knockout stages, relishing the moment like they had won the trophy itself.

Leuven’s celebrations were undoubtedly passionate; they had created a fairytale, a classic “David vs. Goliath” scenario, as CEO Frédéric van den Steen aptly put it. Remarkably, their story is still unfolding.

“We started from scratch and have faced many challenges, disappointments, and tears,” midfielder/defender Zenia Mertens, a seasoned player with over 100 caps for Leuven, shared with ESPN. “But those moments make everything worthwhile.”

“People always said we were not a trophy-winning team and that we were made for second place. Knowing what was said in the past, and to achieve this now, gives us immense pride as a team.”

Emerging from the Shadows

From 2020-2023, Leuven played in the shadow of their rivals Anderlecht, witnessing the Belgian Women’s Super League title slip away three times as runners-up. However, they finally broke through, winning the championship at the end of the 2024-25 season.

This national victory allowed them to enter the UWCL qualifiers, but the journey was just beginning. Belgium’s limited standing in European football, with no prior representatives in the competition, meant Leuven had to navigate two qualifying rounds to reach the top tier.

“After winning the championship, we thought, ‘Let’s approach Europe with no major ambitions, just explore this new adventure,'” Van den Steen explained to ESPN.

Upon their qualification, many in Belgium warned them, saying, ‘You’ll be thrashed 8-0, 9-0, or 10-0.'” There was a pervasive sense of negativity about their qualification for the Champions League.

There were virtually no expectations from players, staff, or fans. Knowing that their men’s team would likely never reach the Champions League, this felt like a unique opportunity to cherish.

Progress past the qualifiers was not part of the plan, particularly since even prominent teams like Anderlecht had never succeeded in that regard. Yet Leuven took their moment seriously. Backed by Thai owners King Power, owners of English Championship side Leicester City, the club increased their budget by 20% and transitioned from semi-professional to full-time professional status.

Psychological support staff, a social education coach, and a nutritionist were brought in. On the field, they delivered results, defeating Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Sarajevo and Sweden’s Rosengard in a home mini-tournament, followed by a composed two-legged tie against Ukraine’s Vorskla Poltava that secured their place in the 18-team league phase.

Just qualifying was already a significant milestone. OH Leuven, the underdogs amongst the 18 teams, had begun to silence the skeptics.

“I heard many say, ‘What can Leuven do in the Champions League?’ and they laughed,” Mertens told ESPN.

Staying Grounded

With the competition shifting to a Swiss model format, which worked in Leuven’s favor, they were guaranteed to face elite competition. The draw confirmed this with encounters against Barcelona and Arsenal, last season’s finalists and two of the most recent champions. Rather than being intimidated, the team erupted in cheers when they learned of their opponents. This was the challenge they craved.

“We desired to face Barcelona to measure ourselves against the best,” Mertens said. “In the Champions League, you want to play against top teams, not in lesser matches. We sought challenges, and we got them, making us genuinely excited to get on the pitch against the world’s best.”

Regardless of their daunting opponents—Barcelona, Arsenal, Paris Saint-Germain, Roma, Paris FC, and Twente—the club remained modest about their expectations, as Van den Steen stated. They did not measure success by wins or a top-four finish; rather, survival, gaining experience, and achieving smaller goals were more worthwhile.

“When we qualified, we set small goals, like scoring a goal or winning one match,” Mertens admitted.

What began as a dream soon turned into a reality. In their opening match, Leuven managed to come back and draw 2-2 with Paris FC, igniting newfound confidence within the team. Mertens mentioned that after halftime, they entered the field like “monsters,” driven by the “determination to showcase our capabilities.” This attitude was inspired by coach Arno van den Abbeel, who encouraged the players: “You’re on the biggest stage in Europe; play your game without fear.”

Leuven clinched a 2-1 victory over Twente in their second game—achieving one of their goals for the competition within just two matches. They then limited the powerful Barcelona side to a 3-0 defeat, with around 250 fans traveling to Spain to support them. “They’ve performed beyond expectations, which enhances the atmosphere both at home and away,” commented Stein Jansen, president of the LeuvElles fan club, to ESPN. “It’s incredible. I can only describe it as insane and amazing.”

Leuven’s surge in fan support was palpable as they achieved commendable draws against seasoned teams like Roma (1-1) and PSG (0-0)—the latter knocking the French giants out of the tournament.

“It’s surreal to even say this, it’s genuinely unbelievable,” Jansen added. “I was with the club when we were small, and winning the league felt monumental, which it is, but now to say we’ve eliminated PSG on the grand stage—it’s just mind-blowing.”

The Next Chapter

By the sixth matchday, Leuven’s destiny was partially out of their control. Facing defending champions Arsenal at home, a surprising win would secure qualification, but even a loss could suffice if Valerenga didn’t triumph against Bayern Munich.

The Leuven team had one eye on the other match, ready to adjust their strategy if needed. When Bayern scored two quick goals, the celebration in Belgium echoed loudly.

However, on the pitch, the outcome of the game didn’t unfold as hoped; Leuven conceded three goals against Arsenal and failed to produce a shot on target. Yet, this hardly dampened spirits, as a record crowd of 9,285 celebrated the significance of the moment, with many supporters embracing players at the final whistle in scenes of pure joy.

Leuven generally plays in front of modest crowds at their training facility, Den Dreef, filling only a few hundred seats during regular matches. The championship finale last season had increased attendance to a few thousand as they approached victory.

Jansen and other fans aspire that the Champions League journey will not be a fleeting moment but rather ignite a sustained increase in attendance at all of Leuven’s matches. To achieve this, the LeuvElles fan club organized pre-game gatherings and offered tickets for regular and season passes to convert casual fans into dedicated supporters.

Taking cues from England’s boost following their Euro 2022 success, Jansen stated, “I hope we can replicate that; while it may not be as grand here, many new faces experiencing football for the first time could be encouraged to attend league games. I would be incredibly proud to see more fans in attendance.”

What Leuven has accomplished is historic. As the first Belgian team not only to qualify but also to reach the knockout stages, they have exceeded expectations and achieved what well-established teams like Roma and PSG could not. Consequently, the outlook on what was previously regarded as a ‘perpetual second-place side’ has undeniably changed.

“Many people used to talk down on Leuven, and that hurt me,” Mertens confessed. “But now, it fuels my determination. We’ve truly earned our place in the Champions League.”

“I believe people will now view us differently since we’re competing against Europe’s elite and excelling in our debut,” she added.

Ultimately, this achievement transcends mere victories on the field. Supporters can see the club’s deep commitment to nurturing the team, elevating it beyond just a business operation to a genuine dedication to the players’ development. In turn, fans feel a sense of duty to contribute, bringing more spectators to the matches and enhancing the team’s success.

“Everyone is stepping up, and together, we are progressing,” Jansen remarked.

And who truly benefits? Women’s football.

“We’re fighting a dual battle,” she continued. “As underdogs against these formidable teams, but also to elevate women’s football in Belgium, facing many who underestimated us. Achieving both victories for our club and for women’s football in Belgium is immensely satisfying.”

What’s next? After the knockout draw, the modest club remains realistic. “We’re still small and need to remain grounded,” Van den Steen acknowledged. “Yes, we dream big, but let’s keep our feet planted on the ground.”

For now, attention turns to the playoffs, where Leuven will face reigning champions Arsenal once more, while they also maintain their position at the top of the domestic league, albeit with a slim lead over a chasing Anderlecht side just two points behind. Yet for this humble Belgian club, the future has never seemed more promising.