What happened at the Iserlohn camp?

Antwerp started on 6 July with an intensive preparation in Iserlohn, Germany, and wrapped up on 11 July with a friendly against VfL Bochum. While the squad focused on tactical details, midfielder Geoff Hairemans left the camp earlier than planned to attend his father's funeral. The club respected his absence and kept the afternoon free for the rest of the team.

Why did Hairemans leave early?

Hairemans, a regular in midfield since the summer of 2024, received the tragic news in late July. He will miss the Saturday afternoon friendly against Bochum. Defender Daam Foulon also departed shortly after for the same reason, but will return to Germany later in the preparation. Their absence forced manager Mark de Rosa to give younger talents more minutes.

How does this affect Antwerp's preparation?

Training was split into morning and afternoon sessions. Mornings emphasized physical intensity; Youssef Hamdaoui trained separately and showed a clear improvement compared to the first days. Afternoons featured closed‑door tactical scenarios, after which the doors of the Hemberg Stadium were shut. The club even organized a beach‑volleyball afternoon to keep morale high, a detail highlighted by the local Iserlohn press.

Which new faces appeared in Iserlohn?

The arrival of 23‑year‑old striker Abdel‑Malik Aziz, of Togolese descent with Dutch nationality, and 17‑year‑old defender Dries Verdonck, who played for the U18 side last season, was widely reported. Aziz, a product of the Young Reds, adds speed to the attack, while Verdonck offers a fresh option for defensive rotation. Both were immediately integrated into the training group as Hamdaoui remained separate and Scott Miller returned to Antwerp for injury treatment.

How is Antwerp performing now?

The Red Lions recently secured a 2‑0 win over KVC Westerlo on 23 May 2026. Their recent five‑match form reads 2 wins, 2 draws, 1 loss, with a current two‑game winning streak. This positive run builds confidence ahead of the upcoming league fixtures, despite the temporary loss of Hairemans and Foulon.

What lies ahead after Iserlohn?

Following the final training on 11 July, the squad returns to Bosuilstadion for the last preparations for the new season. The coach will integrate the new players and fine‑tune tactical plans. Fans can expect the official team photo, taken during the morning session, to be posted on the club website soon.