Who knows if we’ll ever seen European football at The Pan again? I’m not sure if we’re going to be in the Fenix Trophy next season, and by my count we’re 123 league positions off the European qualifying spots, so I think we can chalk that up as “unlikely for a bit”. We might as well lap it up while we can, then, and last night’s fare was thoroughly enjoyable.

That’s due in no small part to our visitors. KSK Beveren fans came in their numbers and, boy, did they seem to enjoy themselves. I almost crept over the legal driving limit by just walking past a few of them on the terraces, but even though a fair number of them had clearly given the local ales a thorough taste test, they were incredibly good natured throughout and certainly rivalled the Youth Wing in terms of noise generated.

Without getting too schmaltzy about it, the scenes at the end when both sets of players were applauded and songs exchanged were lovely. In this dismal age of division and manufactured hatred, wasn’t it great to see two sets of fans mingling side by side on the terraces and just enjoying it?

And even if Beveren’s on-pitch game was a little lacking, their tifo was top notch. I certainly can’t remember The Philcox ever being swaddled in quite so many flags as banners as it was last night, including that stunning quarter-terrace banner. Top darts.

The Fenix games have been curious affairs, pitched somewhere between pre-season friendlies and full-blooded league games. Partly, I guess, because Tony’s (wisely) used them for squad rotation, partly for the sheer novelty factor of playing foreign opposition.

This one was our most comfortable performance yet. We nudged ahead as early as the fourth minute, with the kind of goal you very rarely see anymore: a good, old-fashioned bundle.

Marcus Sablier’s corner was met by an Arthur Penney/Tommy Wood combo, and as the ball dropped on the line amid a cocktail of thrashing limbs, Wood just managed to stab it over the line. Spotter’s badge for the lino.

A youthful looking Beveren side looked most dangerous on the break, no more so when their left winger scampered away and put in a delightful low cross for top-scorer Jim Van Osselaer, whose stab towards goal was brilliantly saved by Nathan Harvey.

But it was the Rooks who always looked the most threatening, with Ola full of party pieces down the right wing, and new boy Jack Leahy stretching defences on the other side, both feeding Wood presentable chances that the rusty striker failed to convert.

The second half was cosy on The Philcox, as the Beveren fans failed to heed the Geneva Convention on swapping ends at half-time, thus cramming both sets of fans into the same end. It definitely helped build the atmosphere though, even if the massive tifo had to be taken down to accommodate all the standers.

Our second goal helped lift spirits too. This one was a deflection, with Ola cutting inside and his low shot nicking off a defender into the roof of the net.

The third goal was plain odd. The Beveren keeper – who I’m told is their goalkeeping coach and who seemed to be wearing an outfield kit with the number 8 on it – injured himself as he rushed out to collect a ball, leaving a slightly embarrassed Marcus Sablier to prod the ball into an empty net.

The fourth was the best of the lot. Sub Ryan Gondoh rediscovering his magic boots to twist a full-back inside out, before planting an unstoppable low shot past the keeper.

So, into the semi-finals we go, before we’ve even completed our last group game in Oslo. Tony’s probably not going to risk any injuries for that one, so if you’ve booked a flight to Norway, pack your boots as there’s every chance you’ll get a full 90, and you too will be able to tell the grandchildren you played for Lewes in Europe. What a time to be alive.

Lewes: Harvey, Olukoga, Vint, Penney, Oguntayo, Murtagh, Dreher, Sablier, Ogunwamide, Leahy, Wood

Subs: Elliott, Gondoh, Ming, Pritchard, Lumbombo-Kalala

Supporters Club man of the Match: Hard to disagree with Brian the Badge’s official proclamation for Marcus Sablier. The lad’s getting back to his best after that long injury lay-off.

Video highlights from Your Instant Replay: