Tom Boon struck with just 40 seconds to go to earn Royal Léopold a Belgian semi-final spot as they got the win they needed over Royal Racing Club de Bruxelles in dramatic fashion.
It meant they advanced at the expense of La Gantoise on the final day of the playoff stages after the long-time leaders lost out to KHC Dragons 3-1.
Against Racing, Léo went in front within two minutes of the start via Dylan Englebert via a penalty corner reboud. And they stayed just in front until the 56th minute when Louis Hottlet deflected in Diego Lucaccioni’s long pass to tie things up.
That goal looked set to eliminate the EHL third place finishers but they found one last surge with Boon – back after injury – netted from the penalty spot for his 29th goal of the season.
“It was a very difficult match and even more so against a team that had nothing to lose,” admitted the prolific Red Lions striker.
“They played well until the end of the game and we had to rely on a little bit of luck to emerge. It was more complicated than expected but it is a season when nothing has really gone in our favour with so many injuries. I hope that this will serve as a trigger for the final sprint and that we can be ready at the right time.”
Dragons went through as group winners with their 3-1 win with Florent van Aubel scoring twice. They will face Orée in their semi-final while Léopold go up against Waterloo Ducks who topped their group with a 7-4 success against Orée in their final group game.