5 things to know before OM vs. Ostende
Double
Valère Germain scored twice in the return match (3 rd qualifying round of the Champions League) with Monaco against Fenerbahçe (3-1, 3/08/2016) AS Monaco then qualified by eliminating Villarreal in a play-off match. Rudi Garcia has been in the qualifying rounds as a coach, successfully qualifying for the group stages each time (2009/10 and 2011/12 avec LOSC).
Adil Rami's first two European matches were in Europa League qualifying rounds, with LOSC against Sevojno (Serbia, 2009/10). 0-2, 2-0). Advil then won this competition with FC Sevilla against Liverpool (3-1, 2015/16).
Four
KV Ostende is OM's fourth Belgian opponent in European cups. After Royale Union Saint-Gilloise, in the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup (1962/63), Club Brugge in the Champions League (1992/93) and Koninklijke Beerschot Antwerpen Club in the Europa League (2005/06).
Already done...
OM qualified for the Europa League via the qualifying rounds (3rd round and play-offs), in 2012/13. Back them, coached by Elie Baup, OM eliminated the Turkish side, Eskisehirspor (3-0, 1-1), then the Moldovan Sheriff Tiraspol (2-1, 0-0) in play-offs.
First
KV Ostende, owned by the Belgium businessman Marc Couckes CEO of the Omega-Pharma laboratory, will play its first even European game in history on Thursday evening.
Rozehnal
KV Ostende's Czech defender, David Rozenhal (37 years old) whom Rudi Garcia had in his team at LOSC, has never won against OM in 6 attempts in Ligue 1.
