references in the media to the club as the "little Anderlecht". Under the new coach Guy Thys, Beveren directly promoted to the highest division in 1967, by winning the Belgian Second Division in the final game of the season at UR Namur with Mon Goossens scoring the deciding goal in a 2–3 win. 1967–1977 Rise to power SK Beveren-Waes debuted in the Belgian First Division with a 1–1 draw on 3 September 1967 in an away game at Sint-Truidense VV, with Jean Janssens scoring the club's first goal in the highest division. Their first win followed a week later when the newly promoted team beat Daring Molenbeek with 2–0 at home. On 26 November 1967 the freshly renovated and extended Freethiel Stadion's attendance record was broken when more than 18 000 people saw Beveren lose at home against RSC Anderlecht with 1–2. Beveren ended its first season in the highest division on a 13th place. The 1968–1969 season brought a surprising sixth place with it, partly due to the goalscoring qualities of Robert Rogiers who ended as vice-topscorer with 16 goals. In the summer of 1969 the club enjoyed its first European exploits with participation in the Rappan Cup, ending in 2nd place in group 9, consisting of Boldklubben 1909, Odra Opole and FC La Chaux-de-Fonds. Led by new manager Ward Volkaert and inspired by the excellent performances of Jean Janssens, who received his first international call-ups for the Belgium National Football Team, Beveren ended the season in 4th place, qualifying for the 1970–71 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup. In the summer of 1970 the club again participated in the Rappan Cup, finishing as third in a group with Östers IF, SV Werder Bremen and LASK. The 1970-71 season proved to be average at the national level, but the club had a remarkable run in the 1970–71 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup. After beating Wiener Sport-Club in the round of 32, Beveren met Spanish giant Valencia CF in the next round, achieving a historic win in Spain thanks to a goal of Hugo De Raeymaeker. In the return game, Beveren held Valencia to a 1-1 draw (again a goal of De Raeymaeker), obtaining a spot in the next round. Beveren was eventually eliminated by powerhouse Arsenal F.C., losing 4-0 at Highbury and drawing 0-0 at home. Against all expectations Beveren ended the 1971-72 Belgian First Division as 16th and last, relegating to the Second