No fewer than 1,500 musicians, singers and supporters record the European Championship anthem for the Red Devils: “A unique experience”

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Stijn Meuris, Marcel Vanthilt and Axl Peleman saw that it was good. 1,500 singers and musicians recorded ‘Wunderbar’ in Brussels on Sunday. Our European Championship anthem should propel the Red Devils to the final in Germany next month. Wunderbar!

The European Championship is not alive yet. Few sentences have been spoken so often in recent days and weeks in a café and at the office. Well then: it has been alive since Sunday evening. Thanks to 1,500 people who combine two hobbies: making music and supporting the Red Devils. It was quite a stunt to get them all together, and Wunderbar succeeded. Tenpole Tudor’s hit gets a second life. A Belgian life even. And you can bet that the mega orchestra will conquer Europe. The support act for Lukaku and co. is the first victory of the European Championship. The conductor on Sunday was not one person, but the band from radio Willy. With Stijn Meuris and Marcel Vanthilt and Axl Peleman in the lead.

The band’s musicians managed wonderfully to get 100 drummers, 100 guitarists and 100 bass guitarists to play together. Although that did not happen automatically. “Can the singers please not clap their hands or touch their microphone,” asked presenter Christophe Stienlet. “And guitarists: you can only start after the one-two-three-four.” The rehearsal seemed to last forever. The same song dozens of times. Already the earworm of the summer. There were even polonaises to keep the atmosphere going. Until it all fell apart around four o’clock. A musical puzzle. As if it were the perfect attack towards the goal.

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“It was a long day,” said Noordkaap singer and Willy presenter Stijn Meuris afterwards. — © carlo coppejans

Impressive

“It was a long day,” said Noordkaap singer and Willy presenter Stijn Meuris afterwards. “But the preparation was perfect, so the result was also correct. It was of course not the first time that so many musicians came together, but it was still incredibly impressive to see those hundreds together from the stage. And also: I am very proud that we, as a small radio station Willy, are a partner of this.” Meuris is not a football fan himself. “Isn’t that the sport with a net and two rings? But seriously: everyone becomes a fan for such big events. As soon as something becomes so pan-international, the mobilizing power is enormous.” And the supporters below can only confirm that.

Jennifer and Margaux (11): “Singing is even more fun than supporting”

© carlo coppejans

“Of course we are for the red devils. But we especially love singing,” says Jennifer from Hasselt, who sings with the Studio 100 choir. During the recording of Wunderbar she immediately made a friend with Margaux from Zwevegem. “I’m here with the whole family. My dad and my uncle also sing along. Mom and brother are sitting at the back of the audience supporting. It turned out to be a super fun day, it’s just a shame that Lukaku is not there. He is our favorite.”

Nicolas ‘Obelix’ Dardenne (41): “Being part of a hymn: you don’t want to miss it”

© carlo coppejans

“I think I have been a fan of the Red Devils for longer than I have been alive. I go to every match, I travel to every tournament, even to Brazil. I have tickets for all matches for Germany. When you get the chance to be part of the story yourself, by singing along with the hymn, you don’t want to miss it. It is a unique experience, and the souvenir lasts forever.”

Jan (59), Filip (55) and Freddy (59): “This promotion is the perfect start for the European Championship”

© Jan Claeys

“We have already been to the European Championships in France with this tandem for three, and it will soon also go to Germany. The tickets have already been purchased. We are actually Buffalos, but our hearts also beat for the Red Devils. When we heard about this promotion, we didn’t hesitate and registered immediately. It is the perfect start for the European Championships. And of course our bike couldn’t be missing,” said Jan (59), Filip (55) and Freddy (59) from Merelbeke.

Jelle Van De Wiele (38): “I have been a supporter for longer than a guitarist”

© carlo coppejans

Jelle from Menen played along with the guitarists in her wheelchair. “I have growth restriction in my lower limbs. But that didn’t stop me from coming to Brussels. I still drive the car myself, but I do have a care assistant with me.” She has only been playing guitar for a few years. “I started on my own during corona, and when I noticed that I had talent, I started music school. So I’m new to the guitar. But I have been a supporter since my childhood.