Belgium Secures League B Survival After Dramatic Final Round Against Croatia
The final round of the regular season delivered exactly the kind of tension expected from a relegation battle.
Heading into Round 9, four teams at the bottom of the standings were around the five match points, meaning the pressure was fully on. In the worst-case scenario, Belgium would still have needed to play relegation playoffs to remain in League B.
Standing in the way was Croatia, another team sitting on five points. Belgium’s final lineup featured Lucas, Lucman, Renaud, and Guillaume.
Croatia Strikes First
Boards 2, 3, and 4 were played on Monday evening.
On Board 2, Lucman took Black against Matej Zakanj (5 dan). Early in the middle game, Lucman successfully isolated a weak white group and applied heavy pressure. White defended resourcefully by targeting weaknesses in Black’s shape to keep the game balanced. The turning point came after a complex fight in the center, where Lucman ultimately lost a key group and was forced to resign.
Croatia moved ahead 1–0.
Renaud Answers Back
Belgium responded immediately on Board 3, where Renaud, playing White, faced Tadej Petar Tukara (3 dan), a strong player from the Yunguseng A League who had already defeated Lucas earlier in the season.
Renaud came prepared with a fresh variation in a common joseki, introducing an important hane that caught his opponent off guard. The preparation paid off instantly, giving Renaud an early lead.
Black later built a massive central moyo and managed to regain control after a difficult ko fight, taking a double-digit advantage. But Renaud stayed calm under pressure. On move 186, he found an accurate reduction sequence that stabilized his shape, reduced Black’s territory just enough, and swung the game back in his favor. From there, he never let go of the lead.
The match was level again at 1–1.
Croatia Takes the Lead Again
On Board 4, Guillaume fought hard against Teo Sladetić (2 dan), but Croatia secured another victory to move ahead 2–1 overall.
Everything would now come down to the final board.
Lucas Jinseo Delivers in the Decisive Game
The decisive match took place the following day, with Lucas playing White against Stjepan Medak (5 dan).
The opening quickly became tense, featuring an important ko fight. In an attempt to create additional ko threats, Black lost points in several areas, allowing Lucas to build an early lead of around eight points. Stjepan remained composed, however, and gradually turned the position around with steady play, eventually taking a small advantage.
Then came the turning point.
In a brilliant tactical sequence, Lucas used stones that appeared dead inside Black’s territory to launch a massive cutting sequence. With the game already deep into the endgame, Black could no longer save the central dragon and was forced to resign.
Belgium tied the match 2–2 and secured the crucial match point needed in the standings.
League B Status Secured
When the final standings were confirmed, Belgium finished 7th in League B, safely avoiding relegation and securing another season in the division.
After a season filled with close battles and pressure-packed matches, the team successfully achieved its goal.
A huge thank you goes to all the players for their commitment and fighting spirit throughout the season.
Links
Games: https://pandanet-igs.com/communities/euroteamchamps/rounds/1353#2
Standings: https://pandanet-igs.com/communities/euroteamchamps/draw/215