One of Belgium's finest basketball ambassdors has been honoured in Braine-l’Alleud with a two-match charity event that raised money for local needy children.

The Eric Struelens Jubilee was a re-match of the 1989 Belgian play-off final between Maes Pils Mechelen and Castors Braine and fans had the chance to cheer on many former Belgian stars. Some young local players completed the rosters of both teams, symbolizing the transition from the ‘old’ generation (although guys like Marc Deheneffe, Dirk Snijders, Steve Ibens, Danny Herman and Bernard Tirtiaux still looked very young when running down the court) to a new one.

Braine was coached by Michel Voituron while Lucien Van Kersschaever sat on Mechelen’s bench. The same old story as in 1989 took place as Maes Pils finally beat Castors 78-88 with the last basket scored by ten-times Belgian Player of the Year, Rik Samaey.

'It was certainly the nicest evidence of how much Stru has always been appreciated by his loved ones and basketball friends'


Another game between Stru’s foreign and Belgian friends was also set up. Stars like former French international players Richard Dacoury and Frederic Forte as well as ex-Belgian Lions Jean-Marc Jaumin and Daniel Goethals were present for this special celebration. Current Belgian national team players also came to play in a very friendly atmosphere: Christophe Beghin, Sebastien Vermeulen, Lionel Bosco, Julien Pirlot and Spanish Liga ACB Champion Axel Hervelle of Real Madrid. They were coached by two trainers who always had complete trust in Eric Struelens, Didier Dobbels (ex-Racing Paris) and Sergio Scariolo (ex-Real Madrid).

Around 1,000 people attended the event which was played in a great family atmosphere. A few words by Eric’s son made the former Belgian Lion cry: "Despite spending much time on basketball courts, dad is always there for us. He always helps his children when they do their lessons and homework." With additional words by Real’s Axel Hervelle and former French national team captain Richard Dacoury, it was certainly the nicest evidence of how much Stru has always been appreciated by his loved ones and basketball friends.

Eric’s most memorable moments in basketball will probably remain his match-up against Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls during the 1997 McDonald’s Open in Paris-Bercy when he grabbed 20 rebounds, or his ACB title with Real Madrid in 2000.

And his career was quite remarkable.  He was elected Belgian Rookie of the Year in 1989 at the age of 20, played for Maes Pils Mechelen under coach Lucien Van Kersschaever, Eric’s mentor, from 1989 to 1995 (six  Championships and 3 Belgian Cups), Spirou Charleroi in 1995-1996 (National champions and Cup winners), Racing Paris from 1996 to 1998 (French Champions in 1997), Real Madrid from 1998 to 2002 (ACB champion in 2000), CB Girona from 2002 to 2005, Panellinos (2005) and Atomia Brussels from 2005 to 2007. Honourable awards of Player of the Year in 1991 and 1992 are also among the greatest lines on his palmares.

Through his career, Stru proved that work pays off. He showed the way to young Belgian players dreaming of going abroad to play high-level basketball. He was the first Belgian talent to have played for several great international clubs. The former Madridista attended NBA camps with Miami Heat a few years ago but was never given a chance to play in the US professional league. Meanwhile, Dallas Mavericks' Didier M’Benga has become the first Belgian player to be listed in a NBA roster and, as basketball is now a global game, many analysts now know that there will be others in the future.

Congratulations to Eric Struelens for his great 19-year pro career. May his future projects as Club Support Manager of Atomia Brussels, player in Division III club Excelsior Brussels, President of Castors Braine and youth trainer, be as successful as his professional player’s career. Eric Struelens also has his own web site. To learn more about Eric’s career and future projects, please go to www.eric-struelens.com